2 Chronicles 28 10

2 Chronicles 28:10 kjv

And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?

2 Chronicles 28:10 nkjv

And now you propose to force the children of Judah and Jerusalem to be your male and female slaves; but are you not also guilty before the LORD your God?

2 Chronicles 28:10 niv

And now you intend to make the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem your slaves. But aren't you also guilty of sins against the LORD your God?

2 Chronicles 28:10 esv

And now you intend to subjugate the people of Judah and Jerusalem, male and female, as your slaves. Have you not sins of your own against the LORD your God?

2 Chronicles 28:10 nlt

And now you are planning to make slaves of these people from Judah and Jerusalem. What about your own sins against the LORD your God?

2 Chronicles 28 verses

2 Chronicles 28 10 Meaning

The verse contains the prophetic warning from Oded the prophet to the victorious Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim/Samaria) regarding their intent to enslave the captives from the Southern Kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem. Oded sternly rebukes their intention, reminding them that they, the Israelites, are equally guilty of grave sins against the LORD their God, making them undeserving of such self-righteous actions against their brethren.

2 Chronicles 28 10 Context

This verse is set during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, who was notorious for his idolatry and unfaithfulness, leading to God's judgment upon Judah. Judah suffered a devastating defeat by Pekah, King of Israel, along with Rezin, King of Aram (Syria). In the aftermath of this battle, 120,000 Judahite soldiers were killed in one day, and 200,000 women, sons, and daughters were taken captive by the Israelite army and intended to be brought to Samaria. Amidst this scenario, Oded, a prophet of the LORD, confronts the victorious Israelite army. His message serves as a divinely inspired rebuke, not to boast in their victory or to further oppress their brethren, but to recognize God's hand in Judah's defeat as a disciplinary act against Ahaz's wickedness, and to realize their own sinfulness and accountability to the same God.

2 Chronicles 28 10 Word analysis

• And now: A marker for immediate attention and a present crisis or decisive moment. It conveys urgency and introduces a direct confrontation to the current intention of the Israelite captors.
• ye purpose (אַתֶּ֤ם אֹמְרִים֙ - 'attem 'omerim, literally "you are saying/speaking"): Indicates a settled intention or deliberation rather than a spontaneous act. The act of "saying" here implies internal resolve or spoken decision to act, highlighting their active will in this oppressive plan.
• to keep under (לְכָבְשָׁ֨ם - lekobsham): To subdue, conquer, or bring into subjection. It speaks of force and subjugation, turning fellow Israelites into subordinates rather than treating them with mercy or covenant loyalty. This is a direct violation of covenant principles regarding kin.
• the children of Judah and Jerusalem: Specifies the identity of the captives. These are their blood relatives, part of the wider family of Israel, and inhabitants of the capital of the Southern Kingdom, highlighting the severity of attempting to enslave those tied by a common heritage and God.
• for bondmen and bondwomen (עֲבָדִ֧ים וְשִׁפָח֛וֹת - 'avadim veshifachot): Explicitly states the intention to turn them into chattel slaves. This goes against Mosaic Law which prohibited the permanent enslavement of fellow Israelites (Lev 25:39-43). The term refers to male and female servants acquired through conquest or debt.
• unto you: Emphasizes the self-serving nature of their plan. The intent is for personal gain and domestic servitude, despite the common God and heritage they share.
• but are there not (וְלֹא֙ - velo, literally "and not?" a rhetorical negative question): A sharp rhetorical question, introducing a powerful challenge. It functions as a direct confrontation, designed to provoke self-reflection and shame.
• with you, even with you: The repetition (עִמָּכֶ֖ם עִמָּכֶ֖ם - 'immakhem 'immakhem) emphatically personalizes the accusation. It ensures the focus is entirely on their own guilt, preventing any outward projection or denial.
• sins (אַשָׁמִֽים - ashamim, plural of asham): Refers to trespasses, guilt, or offenses, particularly those against God or sacred things, often requiring restitution or expiation. It implies inherent culpability and an offense against divine order, putting them on par with (or worse than) those they sought to enslave.
• against the LORD your God?: The core of the prophetic rebuke. It frames their own behavior within the context of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Reminding them of "your God" highlights their shared identity under the same covenant, rendering their actions against Judah even more hypocritical and offensive to God.

Words-group analysis:

• "And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you:" This phrase sets out the core sinful intention of the Israelites. It describes a deliberate plan for oppressive subjugation, revealing a profound lack of empathy, covetousness, and a disregard for their covenantal relationship as brethren, all for self-enrichment.
• "but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?" This powerful rhetorical question is the prophetic pivot. It confronts their self-righteousness and exposes their hypocrisy. It implies that their own national prosperity and perceived moral superiority are fleeting and unjustified, as they too are steeped in sin against the very God who grants victory and judges impartially. This line demands introspection and warns them against presuming God's favor in their conquest of a sinful but still covenant-bound people.

2 Chronicles 28 10 Bonus section

The intervention of Oded, a relatively obscure prophet, demonstrates God's consistent care for justice and righteousness within His people, even in their divided and corrupt state. The rarity of such a prophet speaking directly to victorious military leaders and being heeded makes this event particularly significant. In the following verses (2 Chr 28:11-15), four heads of Ephraim stand with Oded, confronting the army and insisting that the captives be returned, clothed, fed, and brought back to their own territory. This swift act of repentance and obedience, spurred by Oded's warning, highlights the enduring power of God's Word and His ability to stir righteousness even amidst widespread depravity, saving a part of His people from greater sin and impending judgment. It reveals a compassionate heart in some leaders, showing that the potential for faithfulness was not entirely lost, even in a rebellious kingdom.

2 Chronicles 28 10 Commentary

2 Chronicles 28:10 serves as a pivotal prophetic intervention against the abuse of military victory and a profound statement on divine justice and intra-covenantal responsibility. Oded's confrontation underscores that Israel's triumph over Judah was not an endorsement of their own righteousness, but rather a result of Judah's unfaithfulness. The prophet exposes the deep hypocrisy of the Northern Kingdom: while Judah justly suffered for their sins, Israel was equally culpable before God. The intention to enslave their kin was not merely a humanitarian crime but a direct violation of Mosaic Law and the spirit of the covenant (Lev 25:39-43), which mandated kindness and brotherly love among Israelites. This verse highlights God's impartial judgment, His concern for justice even among His disobedient people, and the divine call for compassion to supersede nationalistic triumph or the accumulation of spoils. It implicitly teaches that one cannot justify sin against fellow believers, regardless of external circumstances, by pointing to their perceived unrighteousness.