King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 28:27 Mean?

2 Chronicles 28:27 in the King James Version says “And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the s...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.”

2 Chronicles 28:27 · KJV

Context

25

And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers. to burn: or, to offer

26

Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

27

And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

Read 2 Chronicles 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

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.

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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 · 17 words
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֨ב1 of 17

“slept”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אָחָ֜ז2 of 17

“And Ahaz”

H271

achaz, the name of a jewish king and of an israelite

עִם3 of 17
H5973

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

אֲבֹתָ֗יו4 of 17

“with his fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֤הוּ5 of 17

“and they buried”

H6912

to inter

בָעִיר֙6 of 17

“him in the city”

H5892

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

בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם7 of 17

“even in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

כִּ֚י8 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֣א9 of 17
H3808

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

הֱבִיאֻ֔הוּ10 of 17

“but they brought”

H935

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

לְקִבְרֵ֖י11 of 17

“him not into the sepulchres”

H6913

a sepulcher

מַלְכֵ֣י12 of 17

“of the kings”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל13 of 17

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ14 of 17

“reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הֽוּ15 of 17

“and Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

בְנ֖וֹ16 of 17

“his son”

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

תַּחְתָּֽיו׃17 of 17
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

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 28:27 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 28:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 21:202 Chronicles 24:252 Chronicles 33:20Proverbs 10:71 Samuel 2:302 Chronicles 26:23

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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