King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 27:7 Mean?

2 Chronicles 27:7 in the King James Version says “Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Isr...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.”

2 Chronicles 27:7 · King James Version

Context

5

He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third. So: Heb. This

6

So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God. prepared: or, established

7

Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

8

He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.

9

And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

Read 2 Chronicles 27 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Steady obedience bringing consistent blessing. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְיֶתֶר֙1 of 13

“Now the rest”

H3499

properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)

דִּבְרֵ֣י2 of 13

“of the acts”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יוֹתָ֔ם3 of 13

“of Jotham”

H3147

jotham, the name of three israelites

וְכָל4 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִלְחֲמֹתָ֖יו5 of 13

“and all his wars”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וּדְרָכָ֑יו6 of 13

“and his ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הִנָּ֣ם7 of 13
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

כְּתוּבִ֔ים8 of 13

“lo they are written”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

עַל9 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

סֵ֥פֶר10 of 13

“in the book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

מַלְכֵֽי11 of 13

“of the kings”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל12 of 13

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וִֽיהוּדָֽה׃13 of 13

“and Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 27:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 27:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 15:362 Chronicles 20:342 Chronicles 26:22-232 Chronicles 32:32-33

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