2 Chronicles 21 15

2 Chronicles 21:15 kjv

And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.

2 Chronicles 21:15 nkjv

and you will become very sick with a disease of your intestines, until your intestines come out by reason of the sickness, day by day.

2 Chronicles 21:15 niv

You yourself will be very ill with a lingering disease of the bowels, until the disease causes your bowels to come out.'?"

2 Chronicles 21:15 esv

and you yourself will have a severe sickness with a disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out because of the disease, day by day.'"

2 Chronicles 21:15 nlt

You yourself will suffer with a severe intestinal disease that will get worse each day until your bowels come out."

2 Chronicles 21 verses

2 Chronicles 21 15 Meaning

This verse prophesies a severe and prolonged divine judgment upon King Jehoram of Judah, detailing his demise by a gruesome internal disease. It explicitly states that he will suffer from an intensely painful illness of the bowels that will gradually lead to them protruding from his body, signifying a particularly humiliating and agonizing end, brought on by his ungodly reign and atrocities.

2 Chronicles 21 15 Context

King Jehoram's reign in Judah (848–841 BC) was marked by profound wickedness. He came to the throne through violence, slaying all his brothers (2 Chr 21:4), demonstrating a profound lack of regard for justice or family loyalty. His actions mirrored those of the kings of Israel (the northern kingdom), specifically influenced by his wife, Athaliah, who was the daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel, both notorious for promoting Baal worship and persecuting God's prophets. Jehoram led Judah into idolatry, straying from the ways of his forefathers, David and Jehoshaphat, who walked in faithfulness to the Lord. This verse is part of a prophetic letter delivered to Jehoram by the prophet Elijah (or a prophet acting in Elijah's spirit, given Elijah's ascension), pronouncing God's severe judgment upon Jehoram and Judah for their sins. This judgment on Jehoram's person is distinct from the judgment on the nation that also ensued.

2 Chronicles 21 15 Word analysis

• and you yourself: The Hebrew uses a separate pronoun to emphasize that the judgment is specifically and personally on Jehoram, contrasting it with the national calamity previously mentioned (2 Chr 21:14). It underscores his individual accountability for his reign of sin.
• will have a severe illness, (חֳלִי רָע, choli ra‘): This literally means "evil sickness" or "bad sickness." The term ra‘ ("evil" or "bad") highlights not just the intensity of the disease but also its punitive nature as a direct consequence of his wicked actions. It signifies a divine affliction, not just a natural ailment.
• a disease of your bowels, (מַחֲלֵה מֵעֶיךָ, machaleh me'eyka): "Disease of your intestines" or "inward parts." The Hebrew word me'im (מֵעִים) for "bowels" or "intestines" is often used to denote the inner being or seat of deep emotions in biblical Hebrew, but here it clearly refers to the literal digestive organs. This emphasizes the intimate, internal nature of the suffering, a mirroring of his internal moral decay.
• until your bowels come out (עַד צֵאת מֵעֶיךָ, ‘ad tzet me'eyka): This is a remarkably graphic and literal description of a severe physical affliction, likely referring to a prolapse or extreme dysentery causing organ failure or hemorrhage. It points to an utterly agonizing and undignified suffering, serving as a tangible and humiliating display of divine wrath.
• because of the sickness, (לִפְנֵי הַחֹלִי, lifney hacholi): Literally, "in the presence of the sickness" or "by reason of the sickness." This emphasizes that the exit of the bowels is a direct result and climax of the prolonged illness, not an unrelated event.
• day by day. (יוֹמָם וָיוֹמָם, yomam vayomam): This repetition of "day" conveys a continuous, ongoing, and prolonged suffering. It indicates a gradual, agonizing deterioration rather than a quick end, amplifying the torment and giving time for reflection, though Jehoram remained unrepentant (2 Chr 21:19).

Words-group analysis

• "severe illness... disease of your bowels... until your bowels come out": This progression describes a particularly grotesque and debilitating internal ailment. It suggests a form of gastrointestinal prolapse, severe chronic dysentery, or a parasitic infection that leads to a horrific exitus, embodying the full extent of physical breakdown as a direct result of God's judgment. This explicit detail stands out in biblical descriptions of judgment, indicating a unique and targeted retribution for Jehoram's unique wickedness, especially the slaying of his brothers.

2 Chronicles 21 15 Bonus section

• The nature of the prophetic letter: Elijah's direct involvement in delivering this prophecy after his ascension (2 Kgs 2:11) has been debated. Some scholars suggest the letter was written by Elijah prior to his ascension and preserved or delivered at the appropriate time by another prophet, while others posit a direct divine delivery from heaven. Regardless, its divine origin and authoritative weight remain unquestioned.
• Parallel with spiritual corruption: The physical decay and expulsion of Jehoram's internal organs can be seen as a striking metaphor for his internal spiritual corruption being exposed and leading to a destructive outward manifestation. His "bowels" (often associated with inner being/emotions) came out, signifying the complete breakdown of his person, a reflection of his soul's degradation.
• Suffering as a means of discipline and judgment: This specific judgment on Jehoram highlights that God, in His sovereignty and justice, can utilize physical disease as a direct tool for punitive judgment against persistent wickedness. This concept underscores God's active involvement in human affairs, ensuring moral accountability, even for those in power.

2 Chronicles 21 15 Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:15 is a pronouncement of severe divine judgment on King Jehoram, precisely foretelling his physical agony and demise. The details of his suffering—a protracted illness culminating in the prolapse of his bowels—are vivid and terrifying, serving as a graphic representation of God's just recompense for Jehoram's extreme wickedness. His reign was characterized by abandoning the Lord, massacring his brothers, and leading Judah into idolatry, sins for which he received personal retribution from God. The letter from Elijah (or through an Elijah-like prophet), though possibly written before Elijah's ascension, underlines the unwavering prophetic voice condemning apostasy, even against royalty. The fulfillment of this prophecy (2 Chr 21:18-19) stands as a testament to the inerrancy and power of God's word, demonstrating that no sin, particularly against God's covenant and established order, goes unpunished, and that even kings are fully accountable before the divine throne. It is a stark reminder that choices have consequences, both for individuals and nations.