2 Chronicles 28 13

2 Chronicles 28:13 kjv

And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.

2 Chronicles 28:13 nkjv

and said to them, "You shall not bring the captives here, for we already have offended the LORD. You intend to add to our sins and to our guilt; for our guilt is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel."

2 Chronicles 28:13 niv

"You must not bring those prisoners here," they said, "or we will be guilty before the LORD. Do you intend to add to our sin and guilt? For our guilt is already great, and his fierce anger rests on Israel."

2 Chronicles 28:13 esv

and said to them, "You shall not bring the captives in here, for you propose to bring upon us guilt against the LORD in addition to our present sins and guilt. For our guilt is already great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel."

2 Chronicles 28:13 nlt

"You must not bring the prisoners here!" they declared. "We cannot afford to add to our sins and guilt. Our guilt is already great, and the LORD's fierce anger is already turned against Israel."

2 Chronicles 28 verses

2 Chronicles 28 13 Meaning

The verse captures the response of certain leaders in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) to the prophet Oded. They were cautioned against bringing Judean captives from war into Samaria. Their reasoning was based on a recognition of their own nation's (Israel's) existing guilt before God and the divine wrath already resting upon them. They feared that incorporating more captives, especially fellow Israelites taken unjustly, would further compound their national sin and provoke even greater divine judgment.

2 Chronicles 28 13 Context

h2The events of 2 Chronicles 28 unfold during the wicked reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Ahaz abandoned the Lord, made idols for the Baals, burned his children as sacrifices, and engaged in widespread idolatry (2 Chron 28:1-4). As a result of Judah's deep sin and Ahaz's apostasy, God allowed their enemies to prevail against them. The verse in question directly follows Judah's devastating defeat by Pekah, king of Israel (Northern Kingdom). Pekah's forces killed 120,000 Judean warriors in one day and carried away 200,000 women, sons, and daughters as captives, along with much spoil, intending to bring them to Samaria (2 Chron 28:5-8). At this point, the prophet Oded, moved by the Spirit, confronts the victorious Israelite army upon their return to Samaria. He warns them that their victory was solely due to God's wrath against Judah's sin, not their own righteousness, and that taking their Judean brethren captive would add greatly to Israel's already heavy sin, thereby increasing God's wrath upon themselves (2 Chron 28:9-11). Verse 13 details the Ephraimite leaders' response to Oded's prophetic warning.

2 Chronicles 28 13 Word analysis

h2

• Therefore: This adverb indicates a direct consequence or conclusion drawn from the preceding statements. It signifies that the leaders' response stemmed directly from Oded's powerful prophetic rebuke.
• they said: Refers to "certain chiefs of the Ephraimites" (2 Chron 28:12) – specifically, Azariah the son of Jehohanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai. These were prominent men in the Northern Kingdom.
• to him: Referring to Oded, the prophet who had just delivered the divine warning.
• You must not bring: A strong prohibitive command. The Hebrew verb used implies a direct and immediate action not to be taken. It’s a definite "do not!"
• the captives: Hebrew: שְׁבִי (shāvīy). This refers to the large group of Judeans – 200,000 women, sons, and daughters – who had been taken prisoner during the battle. They were kinsmen, fellow descendants of Abraham, albeit from a different kingdom.
• in here: Indicating the intention to bring them into Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, likely for enslavement or ransoming.
• for already: Hebrew: כִּי (kī) used here with an emphatic sense, "indeed" or "certainly." It highlights the present state of affairs.
• we are guilty: Hebrew: אֲשֵׁמִים (ashēmīm). This powerful word signifies "culpable," "accountable for wrong," "deserving of punishment." It implies a recognition of corporate sin against God and its deserving consequences.
• before the Lord: Hebrew: לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (lipnê YHWH). This emphasizes direct accountability to God, signifying that their sin was not merely against men but against the sovereign Yahweh, the God of the covenant.
• and there is wrath: Hebrew: חָרוֹן אַף (ḥārôn ʼaph). Literally "the heat of anger" or "fierce anger." It denotes God's intense, burning indignation against sin. It underscores the severity of the divine judgment hanging over them.
• against Israel: Referring to the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim/Samaria), the very people speaking. They acknowledge that their nation is currently under God's active displeasure due to their own extensive history of idolatry and disobedience.
• You must not bring the captives in here: This phrase reflects the immediate, practical outcome of Oded's prophetic message and the leaders' newfound conviction. It's a refusal to capitalize on the misfortune of their brothers, driven by a fear of God.
• for already we are guilty before the Lord, and there is wrath against Israel: This combined phrase represents the core of their theological understanding and motivation. It shows a clear understanding that their own nation was not righteous, and their apparent victory was a tool of God's judgment on Judah, not a sign of His favor on Israel. To further oppress their brethren would only exacerbate their own perilous standing with God.

2 Chronicles 28 13 Bonus section

h2

• This act of compassion by the Israelite leaders (instigated by Oded) is a shining, albeit brief, example of righteousness in the frequently wayward Northern Kingdom. It serves as a stark contrast to the persistent wickedness of King Ahaz and the general spiritual decline of both kingdoms.
• The emphasis on "guilt before the Lord" and "wrath against Israel" indicates a theological understanding among these Ephraimite leaders that transcended mere political victory. They understood God's sovereign hand in both the defeat of Judah and the need for Israel to act righteously lest they face even greater consequences.
• The passage highlights a core principle of biblical justice and mercy: while one may be an instrument of divine judgment, one must not abuse that role or gloat over the misfortune of others, especially not one's own kin. To do so only adds to one's own sin and invites further divine wrath.

2 Chronicles 28 13 Commentary

h22 Chronicles 28:13 records a remarkable and rare instance of spiritual discernment and humility within the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Amidst Ahaz's deepening idolatry in Judah, God used the Israelites' own violence as a corrective measure, yet simultaneously demonstrated His compassion through His prophet Oded. The leaders of Ephraim, surprisingly, heeded Oded’s warning, acknowledging their nation's existing guilt and the imminent divine wrath. This was a critical moment where they understood that while Judah’s downfall was due to its sin, Israel's own continued transgressions made it precarious for them to inflict further hardship, especially on their own kinsmen. This act of mercy, driven by a fear of compounding divine judgment, stands in stark contrast to the common practices of warfare and highlights God's demand for righteousness even from nations that often strayed. It showcases the divine principle that mistreating others, especially one's own brethren or the vulnerable, is an affront to God and can incur further wrath, regardless of one's own temporary victory or position.