2 Chronicles 21 13

2 Chronicles 21:13 kjv

But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:

2 Chronicles 21:13 nkjv

but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot like the harlotry of the house of Ahab, and also have killed your brothers, those of your father's household, who were better than yourself,

2 Chronicles 21:13 niv

But you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel, and you have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab did. You have also murdered your own brothers, members of your own family, men who were better than you.

2 Chronicles 21:13 esv

but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel and have enticed Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem into whoredom, as the house of Ahab led Israel into whoredom, and also you have killed your brothers, of your father's house, who were better than you,

2 Chronicles 21:13 nlt

Instead, you have been as evil as the kings of Israel. You have led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols, just as King Ahab did in Israel. And you have even killed your own brothers, men who were better than you.

2 Chronicles 21 verses

2 Chronicles 21 13 Meaning

This verse conveys a severe divine condemnation of King Jehoram of Judah through a prophetic letter from Elijah. It accuses him of abandoning the righteous path of his father Jehoshaphat and instead imitating the wicked idolatry and practices of the kings of Israel, especially the infamous house of Ahab. By promoting such apostasy, he caused the people of Judah and Jerusalem to commit spiritual prostitution against their covenant God. Furthermore, the verse directly indicts Jehoram for the ruthless murder of his own brothers, who were members of his immediate family and were described as being morally superior to him, signifying his profound moral degradation and injustice.

2 Chronicles 21 13 Context

Chapter 21 of 2 Chronicles details the wicked reign of Jehoram, son of the righteous King Jehoshaphat. Upon his ascension to the throne, Jehoram murdered all his six brothers to secure his power (2 Chr 21:4). He then married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, aligning Judah's Davidic dynasty with the notoriously wicked house of Israel. This marriage brought strong Baalistic influences into Judah. Consequently, Jehoram encouraged idolatry throughout Judah and Jerusalem, explicitly noted in verse 11 as "causing the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot." It is in this context of escalating wickedness, including fratricide and national spiritual apostasy, that Elijah, a prophet predominantly associated with the Northern Kingdom, sends a stern, condemnatory letter to Jehoram. This verse, 21:13, is a central part of Elijah's indictment, outlining the specific charges against the king before pronouncing the coming divine judgment.

2 Chronicles 21 13 Word analysis

• "but have walked": From the Hebrew root הָלַךְ (halak), meaning 'to walk,' but in a deeper sense, to 'behave,' 'conduct one's life,' or 'follow a course of action.' The usage here implies a deliberate choice and persistent pattern of behavior. It denotes a departure from the expected covenant loyalty.
• "in the way of the kings of Israel": This phrase refers specifically to the wicked kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Jeroboam, Omri, Ahab, etc.), whose reigns were characterized by apostasy, idol worship (especially Baal and golden calves), and opposition to YHWH's prophets. This indicates Jehoram's adoption of their idolatrous and unrighteous policies.
• "and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves": The verb here is from זָנָה (zanah), meaning 'to commit fornication' or 'prostitution.' In biblical prophecy, this term is powerfully used metaphorically to describe spiritual unfaithfulness to God, equating idolatry with covenant breaking, much like a wife's infidelity to her husband. The Hiphil causation highlights Jehoram's active role in leading the people into this spiritual adultery.
• "like the prostitution of the house of Ahab": Ahab's house (including Jezebel) set the standard for egregious spiritual and moral depravity in Israel, particularly regarding aggressive Baal worship and the persecution of YHWH's prophets. By comparing Jehoram's actions to theirs, Elijah emphasizes the depth of Judah's corruption under Jehoram, associating it with the worst forms of paganism and apostasy known in Israel's history.
• "and have also slain your brothers": The act of murder, specifically fratricide, against close family members. This immediately points to Jehoram's ruthlessness and thirst for power, as narrated in 2 Chronicles 21:4. It is a grave sin against family, human life, and God's law.
• "your own family": Literally, "the house of your father" (בֵּית אָבִיךָ - beit avikha), underscoring that these were not just random victims but direct blood relatives and members of the Davidic royal family. This emphasizes the betrayal and moral depravity involved in Jehoram's actions against his own household.
• "who were better than you": This sharp moral assessment highlights Jehoram's profound inferiority. It means they were more righteous, honorable, or faithful to God. This not only condemns Jehoram's actions but also judges his very character, presenting him as inherently worse than those he brutally eliminated.

2 Chronicles 21 13 Bonus section

The significance of Elijah's letter is notable, given his usual prophetic ministry in the Northern Kingdom and the fact that 2 Chronicles records his fiery ascension in 2 Kings 2. This suggests either a final prophetic communication before his departure, or perhaps the Chronicler uses "Elijah" to represent the spirit and enduring authority of his prophetic school, emphasizing the direct, authoritative divine word sent to Jehoram even from a seemingly unexpected source. The severity of Jehoram's sins marks a clear decline in the Davidic dynasty's faithfulness, despite God's unwavering covenant promise to David. This serves as a potent reminder that even kings of God's chosen line are subject to divine judgment for their unrighteousness and for leading the people astray.

2 Chronicles 21 13 Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:13 stands as a damning indictment of King Jehoram, a man who not only strayed from his righteous father's legacy but actively dragged Judah into unprecedented depths of depravity. His "walk" reflects a deliberate and sustained choice to embrace the spiritual apostasy exemplified by the Northern Kingdom, particularly the abhorrent Baal worship promoted by Ahab and Jezebel. This was not mere personal sin; by leading Judah into "prostitution," Jehoram systematically corrupted the very core of their covenant relationship with God. This spiritual infidelity, symbolized as breaking a sacred marital vow, was a direct assault on the unique identity of God's chosen people. Beyond religious treason, Jehoram solidified his reign through a brutal family purge, murdering his own brothers—men characterized by Elijah as morally superior. This act of fratricide exposed a ruthless lust for power that overrode all familial, moral, and divine restraints. The letter from Elijah, a prominent prophet of the Northern Kingdom, is exceptional, underscoring the universal applicability of God's moral law and accountability for all rulers, regardless of kingdom, serving as a solemn divine warning that justice would be enacted against such profound wickedness.