2 Chronicles 28 17

2 Chronicles 28:17 kjv

For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

2 Chronicles 28:17 nkjv

For again the Edomites had come, attacked Judah, and carried away captives.

2 Chronicles 28:17 niv

The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah and carried away prisoners,

2 Chronicles 28:17 esv

For the Edomites had again invaded and defeated Judah and carried away captives.

2 Chronicles 28:17 nlt

The armies of Edom had again invaded Judah and taken captives.

2 Chronicles 28 verses

2 Chronicles 28 17 Meaning

The verse states that during King Ahaz's reign in Judah, the Edomites invaded the land and took many people captive. This act represents a recurring pattern of hostility and a consequence of Judah's departure from God, demonstrating Judah's vulnerability and divine judgment being carried out through their historical enemies.

2 Chronicles 28 17 Context

Chapter 28 of 2 Chronicles details the wicked reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Unlike his ancestor David, Ahaz practiced idolatry, made molten images for Baal, burned his children as sacrifices to Molech, and provoked the Lord God of Israel. As a direct consequence of his grievous sins, God's judgment fell upon Judah in various forms. Verses 5-8 describe devastating attacks from Aram (Syria) and Israel (Northern Kingdom), resulting in immense loss of life and thousands taken captive. Verse 17 follows this sequence of judgments, specifically highlighting yet another external adversary—the Edomites—who seized the opportunity presented by Judah's weakened state to invade, plunder, and carry off its people. This pattern of affliction underscores the Chronicler's theological emphasis: covenant disobedience inevitably leads to divine punishment, often through foreign oppression.

2 Chronicles 28 17 Word analysis

• For again (וְעוֹד - və‘ōd): This phrase means "and still," "moreover," or "again." It signifies that the Edomite invasion was not an isolated event but rather a continued or renewed instance of hostility. It highlights a prolonged period of vulnerability and recurrent external pressure on Judah, emphasizing the persistent consequences of Ahaz's wickedness.
• the Edomites (אֱדוֹמִים - ’Edômîm): The descendants of Esau, Jacob's twin brother. Their land, Edom, was southeast of the Dead Sea. They were known for their long-standing animosity towards Israel and Judah, dating back to the conflict between their patriarchs, Esau and Jacob. They frequently capitalized on Israel's weaknesses, and prophecies against them (e.g., Obadiah) condemn their pride and lack of brotherly compassion towards Judah.
• had come (בָּאוּ - bā’û): Simple verb meaning "to come" or "to go in." It indicates a military movement into the territory of Judah.
• and attacked (וַיַּכּוּ - vayakkû): From the root נָכָה (nakah), meaning "to strike," "to smite," or "to defeat." It describes a forceful military engagement, signifying a successful incursion and imposition of their power.
• Judah (יְהוּדָה - Yəhûdâ): The Southern Kingdom, encompassing the tribe of Judah and Benjamin, the center of Israel's royal and religious lineage. Its affliction signifies the severity of God's judgment even on the chosen line.
• and carried away captives (וַיִּשְׁבּוּ שֶׁבִי - vayyišbû šəvî): This is a Hebrew idiom, literally "and they took a taking," or "they captivated a captivity." It strongly emphasizes the act of taking prisoners of war. This indicates not merely a raid, but a significant and successful capture of the populace, leading to loss of human resources and deep humiliation for Judah.

Words-group analysis:

• For again the Edomites had come and attacked Judah: This highlights the recurring nature of the threat from a specific historical enemy. The repetition implies an ongoing state of vulnerability for Judah due to its sinful state under Ahaz. It shows the erosion of Judah's regional power and security.
• and carried away captives: This phrase details the devastating outcome of the attack, focusing on the human cost. It signifies a profound loss, the disruption of families and communities, and a physical manifestation of God's disciplinary hand through a hostile nation.

2 Chronicles 28 17 Bonus section

• The Chronicler often connects national security and prosperity directly to the piety of the king and the nation. This verse starkly illustrates the converse: impiety leads to vulnerability and foreign domination.
• The Edomite invasion mentioned here is potentially linked to 2 Kings 16:6, which states that "At that time the king of Edom recovered Elath for Edom." While 2 Kings specifically notes regaining territory, 2 Chronicles focuses on the human cost – the taking of captives, consistent with the Chronicler's emphasis on people and consequences for Judah.
• The succession of attacks from Aram, Israel, Edom, and later the Philistines (2 Chr 28:18-19) paints a picture of a nation utterly surrounded and continuously harassed, showcasing the extent of God's disciplinary hand against Ahaz's wickedness.

2 Chronicles 28 17 Commentary

2 Chronicles 28:17 serves as another tragic demonstration of divine judgment against King Ahaz and Judah's deep-seated apostasy. Following a period of severe attacks from Aram and Israel, the "Edomites," a long-standing and often opportunistic foe, capitalized on Judah's weakened state. The phrase "for again" (or "moreover") is significant; it indicates that these incursions were not isolated events but part of a persistent pattern of harassment and successful predation. The act of "carrying away captives" was particularly humiliating and damaging, representing a direct threat to the very fabric of Judahite society and diminishing their population. This event underscores a core message of the Chronicler: departing from the covenant with God leads to vulnerability to external enemies and widespread national suffering. It illustrates that when the people and their leadership stray from God, even traditional adversaries gain strength and become instruments of His righteous discipline, regardless of their own motivations.