2 Chronicles 10 11

2 Chronicles 10:11 kjv

For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

2 Chronicles 10:11 nkjv

And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!' "

2 Chronicles 10:11 niv

My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.'?"

2 Chronicles 10:11 esv

And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.'"

2 Chronicles 10:11 nlt

Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I'm going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!'"

2 Chronicles 10 verses

2 Chronicles 10 11 Meaning

2 Chronicles 10:11 encapsulates Rehoboam's defiant and harsh response to the people of Israel who sought alleviation from the heavy burdens imposed by his father Solomon. It is a declaration of his intent not only to continue Solomon's oppressive policies but to significantly escalate them. The verse starkly states Rehoboam's promise to increase their servitude, transitioning from his father's "whips" of discipline to his own "scorpions" of extreme punishment, metaphorically signifying a far more severe and painful tyranny. This uncompromising stance directly leads to the historic division of the united kingdom of Israel.

2 Chronicles 10 11 Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture in the history of Israel, immediately following the death of King Solomon and the ascension of his son Rehoboam. The people of Israel, specifically those from the northern tribes, approached Rehoboam at Shechem seeking relief from the severe labor, taxation, and conscription that Solomon had imposed during his ambitious building projects, including the Temple and his own palace. Rehoboam initially took counsel from the experienced elders who had served Solomon, who advised a lenient and compassionate response, promising relief. However, he rejected their wisdom and instead consulted his young companions, who advocated a harsh, domineering stance to assert his power. Verse 11 is Rehoboam's infamous reply, born out of pride and foolish counsel, setting the stage for the fulfillment of divine prophecy regarding the division of the kingdom due to Solomon's idolatry.

2 Chronicles 10 11 Word analysis

• Word by Word Analysis:

  • And now: An emphatic transitional phrase, signaling the immediate and consequential declaration of Rehoboam's policy and resolve in response to the people's plea. It highlights the decisive moment of rejection.
  • my father: Refers to Solomon, known for his wisdom, wealth, and grand architectural undertakings (Temple, palace), but also for his later apostasy and the burdens placed on the populace to fund his projects.
  • did put: Indicates Solomon's established practice and systematic imposition of burdens.
  • a heavy yoke: The Hebrew word for "yoke" is ʿōl (עֹל). This metaphor denotes a burden of forced labor, taxation, and servitude, implying oppression and loss of freedom, a common symbol for subjection in ancient Near Eastern contexts. It refers to Solomon's significant demands.
  • upon you: Direct address to the representatives of the people of Israel, specifically the northern tribes who were seeking redress for their grievances.
  • I will add: An active declaration of intensification; Rehoboam explicitly states his intention to increase the severity of the burdens. This is a defiant refusal of their request.
  • to your yoke: Reiterates the existing burden, emphasizing that he intends to augment, not alleviate, their suffering.
  • my father chastised you: "Chastised" is from the Hebrew yāsar (יָסַר), meaning to discipline, instruct, correct, or punish. Here, it refers to the control and corrective measures (seen as harsh by the people) applied by Solomon's administration.
  • with whips: The Hebrew šôṭ (שׁוֹט) refers to a lash or scourge, an instrument of physical punishment or compulsion. It signifies painful but perhaps conventionally used enforcement and means of control by a ruler.
  • but I: A strong adversative conjunction ("but") emphasizes the contrast and dramatic escalation of Rehoboam's approach. "I" foregrounds his personal will and dictatorial authority, contrasting with Solomon.
  • will chastise you: The repetition of the verb signifies the continuity of punishment but underscores the drastically intensified method.
  • with scorpions: The Hebrew ʿaqrabim (עַקְרַבִּים) are literal scorpions, but here, it's widely understood as a metaphor for an exceptionally cruel and painful instrument of punishment, such as a whip with spiked or metallic ends resembling a scorpion's sting, or perhaps signifying even harsher measures like increased arbitrary executions or torture. It conveys the epitome of severe, ruthless authority, promising unbearable pain.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "my father did put a heavy yoke upon you" vs. "I will add to your yoke": This pairing directly illustrates Rehoboam's deliberate and boastful intent to surpass his father's severity. He dismisses any notion of compromise or leniency, explicitly promising more burdens rather than less.
  • "my father chastised you with whips" vs. "but I [will chastise you] with scorpions": This vivid, brutal imagery highlights the exponential increase in Rehoboam's threatened oppression. "Whips" represent painful but perhaps expected authoritarian measures, while "scorpions" symbolize ultimate cruelty, unprecedented severity, and excruciating pain, a shocking and definitive statement of intent to be more merciless. The parallelism with dramatic intensification underscores his determined escalation of tyrannical power.

2 Chronicles 10 11 Bonus section

This verse exemplifies how divine prophecy can be fulfilled through human folly and choices. While Rehoboam acted out of personal pride and poor judgment, his actions were, unbeknownst to him, an instrument in God's predetermined plan to divide the kingdom as judgment for Solomon's apostasy (1 Kgs 11:29-39, 2 Chr 10:15). The episode also underscores the vital importance of discerning good counsel from bad, as Rehoboam's preference for youthful, harsh advice over the wisdom of seasoned elders proved disastrous for the nation and his reign. It provides a stark contrast to servant leadership exemplified in the New Testament by Christ, highlighting the dangers of a leader prioritizing personal power and ego over the welfare of those they are meant to serve.

2 Chronicles 10 11 Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:11 stands as a powerful testament to the destructive consequences of arrogant leadership and the rejection of wise counsel. Rehoboam, faced with a popular appeal for relief, chose the path of greater oppression, motivated by a desire to assert unchallenged authority rather than foster well-being among his people. His response, far from a diplomatic resolution, was a foolish and incendiary declaration that solidified the nation's discontent and hastened its division. The imagery of "whips" becoming "scorpions" is not merely rhetorical; it foreshadows a rule so draconian it would be intolerable, signifying Rehoboam's profound lack of empathy, wisdom, and understanding of the delicate balance of power and responsibility. This pivotal verse encapsulates the essence of the subsequent schism, marking the point of no return for the united kingdom, and serving as a timeless warning against pride and tyrannical rule.