King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 35:21 Mean?

2 Chronicles 35:21 in the King James Version says “But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this da... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. the house: Heb. the house of my war

2 Chronicles 35:21 · KJV


Context

19

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.

20

After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. temple: Heb. house

21

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. the house: Heb. the house of my war

22

Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

23

And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. wounded: Heb. made sick


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Pharaoh Necho's warning to Josiah: 'But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.' Remarkably, this pagan king claims God commanded his campaign and warns Josiah not to fight against God. The Chronicler notes Josiah 'would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God' (35:22). This teaches that God can speak even through pagan sources, and presumptuous disobedience - even from godly people - leads to destruction. Josiah's tragic death demonstrates that past faithfulness doesn't immunize against foolish decisions.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Josiah's death at Megiddo (609 BCE) fighting Egypt ended Judah's last great reform era. His failure to discern God's word through an unexpected source (pagan king) warns against assuming God only speaks through expected channels. This hastened Judah's decline toward exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you willing to hear God's truth even when it comes through unexpected or unlikely sources?
  2. What presumptuous decisions might you be making by failing to discern God's will in situations where you're confident of your own rightness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח1 of 27

But he sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֵלָ֣יו2 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מַלְאָכִ֣ים׀3 of 27

ambassadors

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

אָמַ֣ר4 of 27

commanded

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַה5 of 27
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לִּ֨י6 of 27
H0
וָלָ֜ךְ7 of 27
H0
מֶ֣לֶךְ8 of 27

What have I to do with thee thou king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֗ה9 of 27

of Judah

H3063

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

לֹֽא10 of 27
H3808

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

עָלֶ֨יךָ11 of 27
H5921

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

אַתָּ֤ה12 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הַיּוֹם֙13 of 27

I come not against thee this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

כִּ֚י14 of 27
H3588

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

אֶל15 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ית16 of 27

but against the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מִלְחַמְתִּ֔י17 of 27

wherewith I have war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

מֵֽאֱלֹהִ֥ים18 of 27

for 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

אָמַ֣ר19 of 27

commanded

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְבַֽהֲלֵ֑נִי20 of 27

me to make haste

H926

to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously

חֲדַל21 of 27

forbear

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

לְךָ֛22 of 27
H0
מֵֽאֱלֹהִ֥ים23 of 27

for 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

אֲשֶׁר24 of 27
H834

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

עִמִּ֖י25 of 27
H5973

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

וְאַל26 of 27
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יַשְׁחִיתֶֽךָ׃27 of 27

who is with me that he destroy

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)


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 35:21 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 35:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study