King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 28:5 Mean?

2 Chronicles 28:5 in the King James Version says “Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a grea...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. Damascus: Heb. Darmesek”

2 Chronicles 28:5 · KJV

Salvation

Context

3

Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. burnt: or, offered sacrifice

4

He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

5

Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. Damascus: Heb. Darmesek

6

For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. valiant: Heb. sons of valour

7

And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king. next: Heb. the second to the king

Read 2 Chronicles 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.

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 · 23 words
נִתָּ֔ן1 of 23

“And he was also delivered”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֣ה2 of 23

“Wherefore the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָיו֮3 of 23

“his 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

בְּיַד4 of 23

“him into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֶ֤לֶךְ5 of 23

“of the king”

H4428

a king

אֲרָם֒6 of 23

“of Syria”

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

וַיַּךְ7 of 23

“and they smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

ב֔וֹ8 of 23
H0
וַיִּשְׁבּ֤וּ9 of 23

“him and carried away”

H7617

to transport into captivity

מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙10 of 23
H4480

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

שִׁבְיָ֣ה11 of 23

“of them captives”

H7633

exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively)

גְדוֹלָֽה׃12 of 23

“a great multitude”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וַיָּבִ֖יאוּ13 of 23

“and brought”

H935

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

דַּרְמָ֑שֶׂק14 of 23

“them to Damascus”

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

וְ֠גַם15 of 23
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בְּיַד16 of 23

“him into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֶ֤לֶךְ17 of 23

“of the king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙18 of 23

“of Israel”

H3478

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

נִתָּ֔ן19 of 23

“And he was also delivered”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וַיַּךְ20 of 23

“and they smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בּ֖וֹ21 of 23
H0
מַכָּ֥ה22 of 23

“slaughter”

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

גְדוֹלָֽה׃23 of 23

“a great multitude”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

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 28:5 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 28:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 7:12 Kings 16:5-62 Chronicles 24:242 Chronicles 36:172 Chronicles 33:11Exodus 20:2-3

Places in This Verse

DamascusSettlement · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E58 verses across 15 books
Syria 1Region · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E89 verses across 10 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 28 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 28 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 28 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes