2 Chronicles 21 16

2 Chronicles 21:16 kjv

Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:

2 Chronicles 21:16 nkjv

Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabians who were near the Ethiopians.

2 Chronicles 21:16 niv

The LORD aroused against Jehoram the hostility of the Philistines and of the Arabs who lived near the Cushites.

2 Chronicles 21:16 esv

And the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the anger of the Philistines and of the Arabians who are near the Ethiopians.

2 Chronicles 21:16 nlt

Then the LORD stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs, who lived near the Ethiopians, to attack Jehoram.

2 Chronicles 21 verses

2 Chronicles 21 16 Meaning

2 Chronicles 21:16 states that the LORD Himself initiated a series of calamities against King Jehoram of Judah by supernaturally inciting the Philistines and a specific group of Arabs (those bordering the Ethiopians) to attack his kingdom. This was a direct act of divine judgment in response to Jehoram's wickedness, apostasy, and violent reign.

2 Chronicles 21 16 Context

2 Chronicles Chapter 21 details the tragically wicked reign of King Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, over Judah. Despite his father's godly example, Jehoram murdered all his brothers to secure his throne (v. 4). He married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab (a king of Israel known for idolatry), and subsequently led Judah into widespread idolatry, adopting the sinful ways of the northern kingdom (v. 6). He also forced the inhabitants of Jerusalem into apostasy (v. 11).

Due to his profound wickedness, Jehoram received a prophetic letter from Elijah (vv. 12-15), condemning his actions and foretelling a severe plague upon his house, family, people, and possessions, and a grievous illness for Jehoram himself. Verse 16 initiates the fulfillment of this divine judgment, showing the precise method by which the Lord begins to execute the prophesied punishment: stirring up external enemies against Judah. This marks the descent of Jehoram's kingdom into chaos, mirroring his own spiritual departure from the Lord.

2 Chronicles 21 16 Word analysis

• Moreover: (וַיָּעַר - wayya'ar, often prefixed with "and") Functions as a narrative conjunction, linking this event directly to Jehoram's prior actions and the prophecy of Elijah. It signifies a continuation or direct consequence.
• the LORD: (יְהוָה - YHWH, Yahweh) Refers to the covenant God of Israel. The explicit mention emphasizes divine agency. This was not a random geopolitical event, but a direct, sovereign act of God's righteous judgment against Jehoram's apostasy. This highlights His omnipotence and active involvement in human affairs, especially regarding His covenant people and their leaders.
• stirred up: (וַיָּעַר - wayya'ar, Hiphil perfect of עוּר ‘ur) This verb means "to rouse, awaken, incite, provoke." The Hiphil stem indicates that God actively caused or incited this hostility. It implies purposeful divine intervention, directly influencing the will and actions of these foreign nations. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over the nations, even their malicious intentions, and His ability to use them as instruments for His purposes, in this case, judgment (compare 1 Kgs 11:14, 23).
• against Jehoram: (עַל־יְהוֹרָם - ‘al-Yehôram) Explicitly targets King Jehoram. This clarifies that the ensuing troubles were a personal divine retribution against him, linked to his specific transgressions rather than general geopolitical strife.
• the spirit of: (רוּחַ - rûach) This refers to an inner disposition, animating principle, or unseen influence. Here, it denotes God’s instilling within these nations an amplified hostility, courage, and aggressive inclination towards Judah. It is not necessarily a demonic spirit, but rather God supernaturally aligning their inherent antagonism with His judicial purpose, making them eager and effective instruments of His judgment. This shows divine manipulation of human motivations.
• the Philistines: (פְלִשְׁתִּים - Pəlištîm) A long-standing, often hostile, coastal people to the west of Judah. Their inclusion as attackers signals a recurring, archetypal enemy whom God empowers. Their raids were often associated with periods of Israel's weakness or divine displeasure.
• and the Arabs: (וְהָעַרְבִים - vəhā‘Arvîm) Refers to nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes inhabiting regions to the east and south of Judah. These groups were known for their raiding activities and had fluctuating relationships with Judah, often hostile. Their involvement expands the scope of the threat to other frontiers.
• who bordered the Ethiopians: (אֲשֶׁר עַל־יַד הַכּוּשִׁים - ’ăsher ‘al-yad hakKûshîm, literally "who were beside the Kushites") This specific geographical detail distinguishes these Arabs, possibly from areas like the northern Hejaz or southern Transjordan, near what ancient Israel called Cush (often associated with Ethiopia, but in some contexts could refer to parts of Arabia, like Cushan in Habakkuk 3:7, or other southern regions). This highlights that the attack was not just from the usual Arab raiders, but from a particular, possibly more organized or distant, group, indicating the breadth and specificity of the divinely orchestrated threat. This emphasizes the wide reach of God's punitive power.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of...": This phrase unmistakably assigns ultimate causation and active agency to God for the calamity that befell Jehoram. It negates any notion that this was merely happenstance or a consequence of Jehoram's political mismanagement alone. It reveals God's control over even the hearts and hostile actions of wicked nations and their leaders, orchestrating them to achieve His righteous judgments.
• "the Philistines and the Arabs who bordered the Ethiopians": This specifies the instruments of God's judgment. The selection of these particular historical adversaries, coupled with a precise geographical descriptor for the Arab contingent, underlines the specific and tailored nature of divine judgment. God chose distinct threats, activating their inherent animosity for His divine purpose. This demonstrates His knowledge of and power over various ethno-political entities to serve His overarching plan of justice.

2 Chronicles 21 16 Bonus section

The deliberate divine instigation indicated by "stirred up" (Hiphil of עוּר) directly connects to the consistent biblical theme of God raising or lowering kings and nations (Dan 2:21; Ps 75:6-7). This implies a direct contrast with human perception, which might simply attribute the attack to typical border conflicts or a weak king's military failures. The Chronicler makes it clear: God's hand was in this. This also highlights the immediate and impactful consequences of unfaithfulness to God, showcasing that the Lord often uses already existing political tensions and natural enmities as instruments for His purposes when He brings judgment.

2 Chronicles 21 16 Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:16 powerfully illustrates the outworking of God's justice against King Jehoram's egregious wickedness. It opens a pivotal chapter in Jehoram's reign, marking the tangible beginning of divine judgment prophesied by Elijah. Far from being a random incursion, the attacks by the Philistines and the specified Arab tribes were explicitly incited by the LORD. This underscores a crucial biblical principle: God actively engages in history, manipulating geopolitical forces, and even the "spirit" or inclinations of nations, to execute His will and chastise rebellious leaders.

Jehoram's abandonment of the LORD, his idolatry, and especially the heinous murder of his own brothers were not left unpunished. God used known adversaries of Judah as instruments of His wrath, intensifying their latent animosity into a full-scale invasion. This act initiated a series of misfortunes for Jehoram, demonstrating that no sin goes unnoticed by God, especially the apostasy and cruelty of a king entrusted with governing His people. The specificity of "the Philistines and the Arabs who bordered the Ethiopians" shows God's precision in His judgment; He doesn't just send calamity generally, but often chooses particular agents, already positioned for such a purpose. The verse serves as a sober reminder that divine judgment, though often slow, is sure and comprehensively targets those who forsake the Almighty, affecting their kingdom, family, and person.