1 Kings 12:11
New International Version
My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

New Living Translation
Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’”

English Standard Version
And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’ ”

King James Bible
And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

New King James Version
And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Now then, my father loaded you with a heavy yoke; yet I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions!’”

NASB 1995
‘Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

NASB 1977
‘Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
So now, my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

Amplified Bible
And now, whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Although my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Although my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.’”

American Standard Version
And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Contemporary English Version
He made you work hard, but I'll make you work even harder. He punished you with whips, but I'll use whips with pieces of sharp metal!"

English Revised Version
And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If my father put a heavy burden on you, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will punish you with scorpions.'"

Good News Translation
Tell them, 'My father placed heavy burdens on you; I will make them even heavier. He beat you with whips; I'll flog you with bullwhips!'"

International Standard Version
Not only that, but since my father loaded you down heavily, I'm going to add to that burden. My father disciplined you with whips, but I'm going to discipline you with scorpions!'"

Majority Standard Bible
Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

NET Bible
My father imposed heavy demands on you; I will make them even heavier. My father punished you with ordinary whips; I will punish you with whips that really sting your flesh.'"

New Heart English Bible
Now whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And now whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

World English Bible
Now my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and now, my father laid a heavy yoke on you, and I add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, and I discipline you with scorpions.”

Young's Literal Translation
and now, my father laid on you a heavy yoke, and I add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, and I -- I chastise you with scorpions.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And now my father loaded upon you a heavy yoke, and I will add upon your yoke: my father chastised you with whips and I will chastise you with scorpions.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And now my father put a, heavy yoke upon you, but I will add to your yoke: my father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And now, my father placed a heavy yoke upon you, but I will add more upon your yoke. My father cut you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.’ ”

New American Bible
My father put a heavy yoke on you, but I will make it heavier. My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
Now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And now whereas my father laid a heavy yoke upon you, I will add to your yoke; my father has chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with knouts.Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-el; and his sons came and told him all the works that the prophet of God had done that day in Beth-el; and the words which he had spoken to the king, them they told also to their father.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My father hardened for you a strong yoke. I shall add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, and I shall chastise you with pointy tipped scourges!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And now whereas my father did burden you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I also will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebellion Against Rehoboam
10The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you should make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! 11Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’” 12After three days, Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, since the king had said, “Come back to me on the third day.”…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 10:11
Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

2 Chronicles 10:14
and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

Exodus 1:14
and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.

1 Samuel 8:11-18
He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. / And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. ...

1 Kings 4:7
Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year,

1 Kings 9:22
But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slavery, because they were his men of war, his servants, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.

1 Kings 12:14
and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

2 Samuel 7:14
I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.

Isaiah 9:4
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

Isaiah 10:27
On that day the burden will be lifted from your shoulders, and the yoke from your neck. The yoke will be broken because your neck will be too large.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 23:4
They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Luke 11:46
“Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied. “For you weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load.

Acts 15:10
Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?

Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”


Treasury of Scripture

And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father has chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

I will add

Exodus 1:13,14
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: …

Exodus 5:5-9,18
And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens…

1 Samuel 8:18
And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

scorpions

1 Kings 12:14
And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Ezekiel 2:6
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

Revelation 9:3-10
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power…

Jump to Previous
Add Burden Burdened Chastise Chastised Discipline Disciplined Hard Harder Heavier Heavy Lade Punishment Scorpions Scourge Scourged Whereas Whips Yoke
Jump to Next
Add Burden Burdened Chastise Chastised Discipline Disciplined Hard Harder Heavier Heavy Lade Punishment Scorpions Scourge Scourged Whereas Whips Yoke
1 Kings 12
1. The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam,
4. by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him
6. Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, answers them roughly
16. Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam flee
21. Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah
25. Jeroboam strengthens himself by cities
26. and by idolatry of the two calves














Whereas my father burdened you
This phrase refers to King Solomon, Rehoboam's father, who imposed heavy labor and taxes on the Israelites to build the temple and his palaces. The Hebrew root for "burdened" is "עָבַד" (avad), meaning to work or serve. Historically, Solomon's reign was marked by prosperity but also by forced labor, which led to discontent among the people. This sets the stage for the division of the kingdom, highlighting the consequences of leadership that prioritizes grandeur over the well-being of the people.

with a heavy yoke
The "yoke" symbolizes oppression and hard labor. In ancient times, a yoke was a wooden beam used between a pair of oxen to enable them to pull together on a load. The Hebrew word "עֹל" (ol) signifies not just physical labor but also the weight of authority and control. This imagery is powerful, illustrating the burdensome demands placed on the Israelites. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the importance of leaders who seek to ease burdens rather than increase them.

I will add to your yoke
Rehoboam's response to the people's plea for relief is to increase their burdens. The Hebrew word "אָסַף" (asaf) means to add or increase. This decision reflects a lack of wisdom and compassion, contrasting sharply with the biblical ideal of a king who serves his people. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the failure to heed wise counsel, as Rehoboam ignored the advice of the elders.

My father scourged you with whips
The term "scourged" comes from the Hebrew "יַסֵּר" (yasar), meaning to discipline or chastise. Whips were instruments of punishment and control, symbolizing the harsh treatment the Israelites endured under Solomon's rule. This phrase underscores the severity of the labor and the dissatisfaction it bred among the people. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of the consequences of disobedience and the need for repentance and justice.

but I will scourge you with scorpions
The use of "scorpions" instead of whips intensifies the threat. In Hebrew, "עַקְרָב" (akrab) refers to the venomous creature known for its painful sting. This metaphor suggests an even harsher regime, indicating Rehoboam's intent to rule with greater severity. Historically, this decision led to the division of the kingdom, as ten tribes rebelled against Rehoboam's rule. Spiritually, it serves as a warning against the escalation of harshness and the importance of mercy and understanding in leadership.

(11) The scorpion is probably (like the Roman fiagellum) a whip, the lash of which is loaded with weights and sharp points.

Verse 11. - And now whereas my father did lade you with [or, lay upon you] a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips [It is probable that the expression is not entirely figurative. It is quite possible that the levies of Amorites, Hittites (1 Kings 9:20), etc., had been kept at their toils by the lash], but I will chastise you with scorpions. ["The very words have stings" (Hall). It is generally held that there is here "no allusion whatever to the animal, but to some instrument of scourging - unless, indeed, the expression is a mere figure" (Dict. Bib. 3. p. 1161). Perhaps it is safer to understand it as a figure of speech, although the scorpion, unlike the serpent, is little like, or adapted to use as, a lash. Probably it was in the pain the whip caused that the resemblance lay (Romans 9:5). All the commentators mention that the later Romans used a whip called a "scorpio," and cite Isidore (Orig. 5, 27) in proof. Gesenius, Keil, al. understand "whips with barbed points, like the point of a scorpion's sting;" the Rabbins, Virgae spinis instructae; others, the thorny stem of the eggplant, by some called the "scorpion plant." Compare our use of the word "cat." "The yoke and whips go together, and are the signs of labouring service (Ecclus. 30:26, or 33:27)" Bahr.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Although
וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

my father
אָבִי֙ (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

burdened
הֶעְמִ֤יס (he‘·mîs)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6006: To load, impose a, burden

you with a heavy
כָּבֵ֔ד (kā·ḇêḏ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3515: Heavy

yoke,
עֹ֣ל (‘ōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5923: A yoke

I
וַאֲנִ֖י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

will add
אוֹסִ֣יף (’ō·w·sîp̄)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

to
עֲלֵיכֶם֙ (‘ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your yoke.
עֻלְּכֶ֑ם (‘ul·lə·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5923: A yoke

Although my father
אָבִ֗י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

scourged
יִסַּ֤ר (yis·sar)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3256: To discipline, chasten, admonish

you
אֶתְכֶם֙ (’eṯ·ḵem)
Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

with whips,
בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים (baš·šō·w·ṭîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7752: A scourge, whip

I
וַאֲנִ֕י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

will scourge
אֲיַסֵּ֥ר (’ă·yas·sêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3256: To discipline, chasten, admonish

you
אֶתְכֶ֖ם (’eṯ·ḵem)
Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

with scorpions.’”
בָּעַקְרַבִּֽים׃ (bā·‘aq·rab·bîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6137: A scorpion, a scourge, knotted whip


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OT History: 1 Kings 12:11 Now whereas my father did lade you (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 12:10
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