King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 28:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 28:15 in the King James Version says “And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked ... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees , to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

2 Chronicles 28:15 · KJV


Context

13

And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.

14

So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.

15

And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees , to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

16

At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.

17

For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives. captives: Heb. a captivity


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיָּקֻ֣מוּ1 of 29

rose up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֩2 of 29
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר3 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִקְּב֨וּ4 of 29

which were expressed

H5344

to puncture, literally (to perforate, with more or less violence) or figuratively (to specify, designate, libel)

בְשֵׁמ֜וֹת5 of 29

by name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וַיַּֽחֲזִ֣יקוּ6 of 29

and took

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

בַשִּׁבְיָ֗ה7 of 29

the captives

H7633

exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively)

וְכָֽל8 of 29
H3605

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

מַעֲרֻמֵּיהֶם֮9 of 29

all that were naked

H4636

bare

וַיַּלְבִּשֻׁ֣ם10 of 29

among them and arrayed

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

מִן11 of 29
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשָּׁלָל֒12 of 29

and with the spoil

H7998

booty

וַיַּלְבִּשֻׁ֣ם13 of 29

among them and arrayed

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

וַ֠יַּנְעִלוּם14 of 29

them and shod

H5274

properly, to fasten up, i.e., with a bar or cord; hence, to sandal, i.e., furnish with slippers

וַיַּֽאֲכִל֨וּם15 of 29

them and gave them to eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וַיַּשְׁק֜וּם16 of 29

and to drink

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

וַיְסֻכ֗וּם17 of 29

and anointed

H5480

properly, to smear over (with oil), i.e., anoint

וַיְנַֽהֲל֤וּם18 of 29

them and carried

H5095

properly, to run with a sparkle, i.e., flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain

בַּֽחֲמֹרִים֙19 of 29

of them upon asses

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

לְכָל20 of 29
H3605

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

כּוֹשֵׁ֔ל21 of 29

all the feeble

H3782

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

וַיְבִיא֛וּם22 of 29

and brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יְרֵח֥וֹ23 of 29

them to Jericho

H3405

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

עִיר24 of 29

the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַתְּמָרִ֖ים25 of 29

of palm trees

H8558

a palm tree

אֵ֣צֶל26 of 29

to

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

אֲחֵיהֶ֑ם27 of 29

their brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וַיָּשׁ֖וּבוּ28 of 29

then they returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

שֹֽׁמְרֽוֹן׃29 of 29

to Samaria

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine


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 28:15 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 28:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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