King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 28:10 Mean?

2 Chronicles 28:10 in the King James Version says “And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there n...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?”

2 Chronicles 28:10 · King James Version

Context

8

And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

9

But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.

10

And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?

11

Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.

12

Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,

Read 2 Chronicles 28 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Total rejection of God bringing catastrophic judgment. 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 · 17 words
וְ֠עַתָּה1 of 17
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

בְּנֵֽי2 of 17

“under the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְהוּדָ֤ה3 of 17

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙4 of 17

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אַתֶּ֣ם5 of 17
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֹֽמְרִ֔ים6 of 17

“And now ye purpose”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִכְבֹּ֛שׁ7 of 17

“to keep”

H3533

to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate

לַֽעֲבָדִ֥ים8 of 17

“for bondmen”

H5650

a servant

וְלִשְׁפָח֖וֹת9 of 17

“and bondwomen”

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

לָכֶ֑ם10 of 17
H0
הֲלֹ֤א11 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

רַק12 of 17

“unto you but are there not with you even”

H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

אַתֶּם֙13 of 17
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עִמָּכֶ֣ם14 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲשָׁמ֔וֹת15 of 17

“with you sins”

H819

guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering

לַֽיהוָ֖ה16 of 17

“against the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃17 of 17

“your God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 28:10 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 28:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 25:39-46Matthew 7:2-4Romans 12:20-211 Peter 4:17-18Jeremiah 25:29

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 28 →

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