2 Chronicles 28 11

2 Chronicles 28:11 kjv

Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.

2 Chronicles 28:11 nkjv

Now hear me, therefore, and return the captives, whom you have taken captive from your brethren, for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you."

2 Chronicles 28:11 niv

Now listen to me! Send back your fellow Israelites you have taken as prisoners, for the LORD's fierce anger rests on you."

2 Chronicles 28:11 esv

Now hear me, and send back the captives from your relatives whom you have taken, for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you."

2 Chronicles 28:11 nlt

Listen to me and return these prisoners you have taken, for they are your own relatives. Watch out, because now the LORD's fierce anger has been turned against you!"

2 Chronicles 28 verses

2 Chronicles 28 11 Meaning

This verse conveys an urgent prophetic warning from Oded, a prophet of the Lord, to the northern kingdom of Israel. It demands that they immediately release the massive number of captives—women, sons, and daughters—whom they had taken from their "brethren" in Judah. The prophet unequivocally states that the reason for this urgent command is the imminent and intense wrath of the Lord, which is directed against Israel for their actions.

2 Chronicles 28 11 Context

This verse is situated in a grim period of Judah's history during the reign of King Ahaz, one of Judah's most wicked kings. Ahaz had deeply provoked the Lord through idolatry, child sacrifice, and utterly forsaking the God of Israel (2 Chron 28:1-4). Consequently, God delivered Judah into the hands of its enemies, including the King of Aram and then King Pekah of Israel. In a single day, Pekah killed 120,000 valiant Judahite soldiers. Following this devastating victory, the Israelite army took captive 200,000 people—women, sons, and daughters—and also seized much spoil. The prophet Oded met the returning Israelite army and its leaders with the urgent message found in 2 Chronicles 28:9-11, condemning their actions as going beyond the scope of God's judgment and instead acting out of sinful cruelty against their fellow Israelites. This intervention marks a pivotal moment where prophetic warning prevented a greater sin and averted further divine wrath.

2 Chronicles 28 11 Word analysis

• Now hear me therefore (ועתה שמעו לי):

  • "Now" (ועתה və‘attāh): Conveys immediate urgency and directness. It signals a shift from explanation to imperative action.
  • "hear me" (שמעו לי šim‘u li): An imperative command from the prophet Oded, indicating a divinely inspired message that demands attention and obedience. This highlights the prophetic authority he carries as God's messenger.
  • "therefore" (לי li): Here emphasizes the direct object "me" as the one speaking, underscoring Oded's role as a direct spokesman for God, making the preceding argument (2 Chr 28:9-10) culminate in this specific command.

• and send home again (והשיבו השביה):

  • "send home again" (והשיבו vəhāshivu): From the root שוב (shuv), meaning "to return, bring back, restore." It implies not merely letting them go but ensuring their safe return to their proper place. This is a command for an active, restorative action, contrasting with the destructive capture.

• the captives (השביה hašəviyāh):

  • "captives" (šəviyāh): Refers to those who have been carried away as prisoners of war, typically slaves. This word specifically denotes the non-combatant population (women, children) taken by Israel, emphasizing their vulnerability and the cruelty of their seizure.

• which ye have taken (אשר שביתם):

  • "taken" (šəviytem): From the same root as šəviyāh (to take captive), it points to the deliberate act of seizing these individuals. This underscores Israel's active responsibility for their current predicament.

• of your brethren (מאיחיכם mē’akhikhem):

  • "brethren" (’akhikhem): This term is critically significant. Despite the political division between the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah) for over 200 years, God still considers them "brethren" (אחים achim). This emphasizes their common ancestry from Jacob/Israel, their shared covenant heritage, and common God. This brotherhood imposes specific obligations for merciful treatment, distinguishing this act of war from that against foreign nations. Mistreatment of "brethren" incurs greater divine displeasure.

• for the fierce wrath (כי חרון kî ḥārôn):

  • "for" (כי kiy): Introduces the reason or justification for the command.
  • "fierce wrath" (ḥārôn): A strong Hebrew term often translated as "burning anger" or "blazing anger." It denotes an intense, deeply severe form of divine displeasure, signifying an immediate and devastating judgment if the command is not obeyed. This specific term (charon) is typically reserved for God's anger at significant covenant violations or grave sin (e.g., Exod 32:10; Num 25:4).
  • "wrath of the Lord": Connects the anger directly to Yahweh (יהוה YHWH), the covenant God of Israel. This implies the impending judgment is not mere human retribution but a sacred, righteous outpouring of divine indignation from the highest authority.

• is upon you (עליכם ‘ǎleykhem):

  • "upon you": Highlights the immediate and personal nature of the impending judgment. It will fall directly on the perpetrators—the Israelite army and leadership—if they refuse to obey. This is not a future, distant threat but an imminent consequence.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "Now hear me therefore, and send home again the captives": This phrase represents the prophet's immediate and imperative demand for remedial action. It's a call to turn from an unrighteous act to a righteous one. The urgency underscores the danger they are in.
  • "which ye have taken of your brethren": This emphasizes the heinousness of the act by identifying the victims as kin. It highlights the covenantal and ethical violation inherent in their capture and mistreatment of fellow Israelites, distinct from treatment of foreign enemies.
  • "for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you": This is the divine justification and motivation for Oded's command. It reveals that the Lord Himself views Israel's actions with severe displeasure and is prepared to bring swift judgment. The charon YHWH is a very serious threat.

2 Chronicles 28 11 Bonus section

• The incident illustrates a crucial theological point: divine judgment, while decreed, does not absolve human instruments from moral responsibility for their actions and motives. Israel's overzealousness and predatory behavior were sinful despite their initial military success being ordained by God.
• The fact that God raised up a prophet (Oded) from the Northern Kingdom itself to rebuke their actions demonstrates God's consistent justice and care for righteousness among all His people, regardless of political affiliation or the prevailing animosity.
• The swift and positive response of the Israelite leaders and the subsequent act of kindness (caring for the naked, sick, and feeble captives, 2 Chr 28:15) highlight the powerful impact of a clear divine warning when combined with humility and a willingness to obey God's commands. This act of mercy also set a powerful counter-narrative to Ahaz's wickedness.

2 Chronicles 28 11 Commentary

The message of Oded in 2 Chronicles 28:11 is a powerful demonstration of God's justice and His continued concern for His covenant people, even across political divides and in moments of judgment. While God allowed Judah to be punished under Ahaz for their egregious sins, Israel, as the instrument of that judgment, overstepped the boundaries of divine permission. They indulged in excessive cruelty and greed, carrying away a vast multitude of their Judahite kin into what amounted to illegal slavery under Mosaic Law (Lev 25:39-43, Deut 15:12-18).

Oded's intervention serves as a divine boundary-marker, highlighting that even when used by God to exact punishment, human agents are not free to act without moral restraint. Their actions became a sin against the very "brethren" they were forbidden to oppress. The "fierce wrath of the Lord" signified a grave offense, threatening a direct and devastating divine response against the Northern Kingdom, reminiscent of how other nations were judged for their excessive cruelty in war (e.g., Amos 1-2, Isa 10:5-15).

The leaders and army of Israel responded humbly (2 Chr 28:12-15), demonstrating that even a strong warning of divine judgment can lead to repentance and avert the full outpouring of God's wrath. This act of releasing and restoring the captives with compassion serves as an example of listening to prophetic counsel and demonstrating mercy towards fellow Israelites.