King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 28:9 Mean?

2 Chronicles 28:9 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 28:9 · KJV


Context

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

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 28 words
וְ֠שָׁם1 of 28
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הָיָ֨ה2 of 28
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נָבִ֥יא3 of 28

But a prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

יְהוָ֧ה4 of 28

of the LORD

H3068

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

עֹדֵ֣ד5 of 28

was Oded

H5752

oded, the name of two israelites

שְׁמוֹ֒6 of 28

was there whose name

H8034

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

וַיֵּצֵ֗א7 of 28

and he went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לִפְנֵ֤י8 of 28

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַצָּבָא֙9 of 28

the host

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַבָּ֣א10 of 28

that came

H935

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

לְשֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן11 of 28

to Samaria

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר12 of 28

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֗ם13 of 28
H0
הִ֠נֵּה14 of 28
H2009

lo!

בַּֽחֲמַ֨ת15 of 28

was wroth

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

יְהוָ֧ה16 of 28

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵֽי17 of 28

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

אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם18 of 28

of your fathers

H1

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

עַל19 of 28
H5921

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

יְהוּדָ֖ה20 of 28

with Judah

H3063

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

נְתָנָ֣ם21 of 28

he hath delivered

H5414

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

בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם22 of 28

them into your 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

וַתַּֽהַרְגוּ23 of 28

and ye have slain

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

בָ֣ם24 of 28
H0
בְזַ֔עַף25 of 28

them in a rage

H2197

anger

עַ֥ד26 of 28
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

לַשָּׁמַ֖יִם27 of 28

unto heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

הִגִּֽיעַ׃28 of 28

that reacheth up

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive


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 28:9 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 28:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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