New International Version So now the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives and everything that is yours, with a heavy blow. New Living Translation So now the LORD is about to strike you, your people, your children, your wives, and all that is yours with a heavy blow. English Standard Version behold, the LORD will bring a great plague on your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions, Berean Standard Bible So behold, the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a serious blow. Berean Literal Bible behold, YHWH will strike with a great affliction your people, and your children, and your wives, and all your possessions, King James Bible Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: New King James Version behold, the LORD will strike your people with a serious affliction—your children, your wives, and all your possessions; New American Standard Bible behold, the LORD is going to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a great plague; NASB 1995 behold, the LORD is going to strike your people, your sons, your wives and all your possessions with a great calamity; NASB 1977 behold, the LORD is going to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a great calamity; Legacy Standard Bible behold, Yahweh is going to smite your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a great calamity; Amplified Bible behold, the LORD is going to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a great disaster; Berean Annotated Bible So behold, the LORD {YHWH} is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a serious blow. Christian Standard Bible the LORD is now about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a horrible affliction. Holman Christian Standard Bible Yahweh is now about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a horrible affliction. American Standard Version behold, Jehovah will smite with a great plague thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance; Contemporary English Version Because you have done these terrible things, the LORD will severely punish the people in your kingdom, including your own family, and he will destroy everything you own. English Revised Version behold, the LORD will smite with a great plague thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance: GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD will strike a great blow to your people, your sons, your wives, and all your property because you did this. Good News Translation As a result, the LORD will severely punish your people, your children, and your wives, and will destroy your possessions. International Standard Version Look what's going to happen! The LORD is going to strike your people, your children, your wives, and everything you own with a massive tragedy. NET Bible So look, the LORD is about to severely afflict your people, your sons, your wives, and all you own. New Heart English Bible look, the LORD will strike with a great plague your people, and your children, and your wives, and all your substance; Webster's Bible Translation Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo behold, the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a serious blow. World English Bible behold, Yahweh will strike your people with a great plague, including your children, your wives, and all your possessions; Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbehold, YHWH is striking [with] a great striking among your people, and among your sons, and among your wives, and among all your goods— Berean Literal Bible behold, YHWH will strike with a great affliction your people, and your children, and your wives, and all your possessions, Young's Literal Translation lo, Jehovah is smiting -- a great smiting -- among thy people, and among thy sons, and among thy wives, and among all thy goods -- Smith's Literal Translation Behold, Jehovah smote a great stroke upon thy people, and upon thy sons, and upon thy wives, and upon all thy possessions: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold the Lord will strike thee with a great plague, with all thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance. Catholic Public Domain Version behold, the Lord will strike you with a great plague, with all your people, and your sons and wives, and all your substance. New American Bible the LORD will strike your people, your children, your wives, and all that is yours with a great plague. New Revised Standard Version see, the LORD will bring a great plague on your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, the LORD will smite you with a great plague, together with your people, your children, your wives, and all your goods; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Behold, LORD JEHOVAH strikes you and your people and your sons and your wives and all your goods with a great plague OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917behold, the LORD will smite with a great plague thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance; Brenton Septuagint Translation behold, the Lord shall smite thee with a great plague among thy people, and thy sons, and thy wives, and all thy store: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Elijah's Letter to Jehoram…13but you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and have caused Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab prostituted itself. You have also killed your brothers, your father’s family, who were better than you. 14So behold, the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a serious blow. 15And day after day you yourself will suffer from a severe illness, a disease of your bowels, until it causes your bowels to come out.’ ”… Cross References So behold, 1 Samuel 3:11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle. Jeremiah 19:3 saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on this place that the ears of all who hear of it will ring, Ezekiel 7:5 This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Disaster! An unprecedented disaster—behold, it is coming! the LORD is about to strike Numbers 14:12 I will strike them with a plague and destroy them—and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are.” Exodus 12:29 Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. Acts 12:23 Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. your people, Deuteronomy 28:21 The LORD will make the plague cling to you until He has exterminated you from the land that you are entering to possess. 2 Samuel 24:15 So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. Numbers 16:46-48 Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.” / So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people. / He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was halted. your sons, Deuteronomy 28:32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, while your eyes grow weary looking for them day after day, with no power in your hand. Hosea 9:12 Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them! 2 Kings 25:7 And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. your wives, 2 Samuel 12:11 This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity against you from your own house. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will lie with them in broad daylight. Deuteronomy 28:30 You will be pledged in marriage to a woman, but another man will violate her. You will build a house but will not live in it. You will plant a vineyard but will not enjoy its fruit. Isaiah 13:16 Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished. and all your possessions Job 1:13-19 One day, while Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, / a messenger came and reported to Job: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, / the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” … Treasury of Scripture Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite your people, and your children, and your wives, and all your goods: plague [heb] stroke Leviticus 26:21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. Hosea 5:11 Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. Micah 6:16 For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people. thy children Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; Jump to Previous Blow Calamity Children Destruction Goods Great Heavy Plague Possessions Smite Smiting Strike Substance WivesJump to Next Blow Calamity Children Destruction Goods Great Heavy Plague Possessions Smite Smiting Strike Substance Wives2 Chronicles 21 1. Jehoram, succeeding Jehoshaphat, slays his brothers5. His wicked reign 8. Edom and Libnah revolt 12. The prophecy of Elijah against him in writing 16. Philistines and Arabians oppress him 18. His incurable disease, infamous death, and burial So behold, Elijah’s written warning summons Jehoram to face the certainty of God’s judgment after he led Judah into idolatry and murdered his own brothers. 1Sa 3:11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something… the LORD is about to strike The covenant God who had blessed David’s house would now discipline Jehoram for abandoning His ways and influencing Judah toward evil. Num 14:12 I will strike them with a plague and destroy them… your people, Judah would suffer under the consequences of its king’s rebellion, showing how deeply national leadership affects the spiritual condition of a people. Deu 28:21 The LORD will make the plague cling to you… your sons, Jehoram’s dynasty would be brought low. The later invasion by Philistines and Arabs carried away his sons, leaving only the youngest, Ahaziah, alive. Deu 28:32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation… your wives, The coming disaster would invade Jehoram’s household and expose the emptiness of the security he had sought apart from the Lord. 2Sa 12:11 This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity… and all your possessions The loss of royal wealth and household goods would reverse the prosperity God had granted to the house of David and reveal His displeasure. Job 1:13-19 One day, while Job’s sons and daughters were eating… with a serious blow. The judgment unfolded through foreign invasion, the loss of Jehoram’s family and wealth, and the painful disease described in the following verse. Deu 28:59 He will bring upon you and your descendants… Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoramThe king of Judah who led the nation into idolatry and wickedness, following the ways of the kings of Israel rather than the ways of his father, Jehoshaphat. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which Jehoram ruled. The people of Judah were led astray by Jehoram's idolatrous practices. 3. Elijah the Prophet Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Elijah sent a letter to Jehoram warning him of the consequences of his actions, which included the prophecy of the severe blow mentioned in this verse. 4. The LORD (Yahweh) The God of Israel, who is about to execute judgment on Jehoram and his household due to their unfaithfulness. 5. Idolatry and Apostasy The events leading to this judgment were Jehoram's abandonment of the worship of Yahweh and his leading the people into idolatry. Teaching Points The Consequences of LeadershipLeaders have a profound impact on those they lead. Jehoram's idolatry led his entire nation astray, showing the importance of godly leadership. The Certainty of God's Judgment God's warnings through prophets like Elijah demonstrate His patience, but also His certainty in executing judgment when repentance is absent. The Impact of Sin on Family and Community Jehoram's sin affected not only himself but also his family and nation, illustrating the far-reaching consequences of personal sin. The Call to Repentance Even in judgment, there is an implicit call to repentance. God's desire is for His people to turn back to Him, as seen throughout Scripture. The Faithfulness of God Despite human unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His covenant, executing justice and offering mercy to those who return to Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 21:14?2. How does 2 Chronicles 21:14 demonstrate God's response to disobedience and idolatry? 3. What lessons can we learn from God's judgment in 2 Chronicles 21:14? 4. How does this verse connect with God's covenant promises in Deuteronomy 28? 5. How can we apply the warning in 2 Chronicles 21:14 to our lives today? 6. What does 2 Chronicles 21:14 teach about the consequences of leading others into sin? 7. Why did God send a plague on Jehoram's people in 2 Chronicles 21:14? 8. How does 2 Chronicles 21:14 reflect God's judgment and justice? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Chronicles 21:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 21? What Does 2 Chronicles 21:14 Mean So behold• The prophet Elijah grabs Jehoram’s attention with an urgent call to look and listen. • Similar wake-up phrases appear in passages such as Isaiah 7:14 and Revelation 3:20, reminding us that when God says “behold,” He is revealing something undeniable and imminent. • It underscores that what follows is not a vague warning but a specific, divinely certified announcement. the LORD is about to strike • The action originates with “the LORD,” the covenant name Yahweh. Judgment is therefore personal, deliberate, and righteous (Psalm 7:11; Nahum 1:2). • “Is about to” highlights immediacy—God’s patience with Jehoram’s idolatry and fratricide (2 Chronicles 21:4, 11) has reached its limit, echoing the pattern seen with Pharaoh in Exodus 12:12 and with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:5–10. • “Strike” points to direct intervention, as in Deuteronomy 28:22 where disobedience brings a “plague” from the Lord, confirming the covenant principle that sin brings tangible consequences. your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions • Judgment is comprehensive. Jehoram’s rebellion affects: – His subjects (“your people”), mirroring how David’s census sin led to national plague (2 Samuel 24:15). – His family (“your sons, your wives”), recalling Eli’s household curse in 1 Samuel 2:31–33. – His wealth (“all your possessions”), aligning with the stripping of Job’s holdings—though Job’s loss was a test, Jehoram’s is a penalty (Job 1:12–17). • The list exposes the breadth of stewardship God had entrusted to Jehoram—each sphere now faces discipline because he misused his authority (Luke 12:48). with a serious blow. • “Serious” (or “great”) conveys severity; this is not a light tap but a devastating plague later described as a fatal intestinal disease (2 Chronicles 21:18–19). • The motif of a “blow” links to Proverbs 26:3, where blows correct a fool—here the king himself is chastened. • Such drastic action serves at least three purposes: – Vindicating God’s holiness (Leviticus 10:3). – Warning Judah of the cost of Baal worship (1 Kings 18:18). – Preserving the Davidic promise by purging corruption, so Messiah’s line remains secure (2 Samuel 7:13–15). summary 2 Chronicles 21:14 is a direct, solemn declaration that the covenant-keeping Lord will personally and swiftly punish King Jehoram’s rebellion. The warning’s structure—attention call, divine source, extensive targets, and severe outcome—shows that sin’s reach extends beyond the individual, impacting family, nation, and resources. God’s judgment is both just and purposeful, safeguarding His holiness and His redemptive plan while urging every generation to heed His word. (14) Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people.—Literally, Behold, Jehovah is about to smite a great smiting in thy people and in thy sons. The immediate object of the verb is not expressed. (Comp. 2Chronicles 21:18.) It was Jehoram himself who was smitten in his people, and in his sons, and in his wives, and in all his goods, as 2Chronicles 21:17 shows. The “smiting “—i.e., heaven-sent stroke, or Divine visitation—consisted in an invasion of Philistines and Arabs, who sacked Jerusalem and the royal palace.Verse 14. - A great plague; Hebrew, מַגֵּפָה, Out of the twenty-six occurrences of this word, it is rendered (Authorized Version) twenty-three times by the word "plague," twice by the word "slaughter" (2 Samuel 17:9; 2 Samuel 18:7), and once "stroke" (Ezekiel 24:16). It is not the word (גֶגַע) which about sixty times (chiefly in Leviticus)describes the physical plague, but both of the words are applied to the plagues, e.g. of Pharaoh, and to the suffering that came of any severe smiting of the people. As no physical affliction in the shape of disease visited, so far as we know, the people, wives, and children of the king, and as his goods are reckoned in for the great plague, the general opinion is probably the correct one, that the invasions spoken of (vers. 16, 17) fulfilled the punishment now announced.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So behold,הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! the LORD יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel is about to strike נֹגֵ֛ף (nō·ḡêp̄) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5062: To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict your people, בְּעַמֶּ֑ךָ (bə·‘am·me·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock your sons, וּבְבָנֶ֥יךָ (ū·ḇə·ḇā·ne·ḵā) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son your wives, וּבְנָשֶׁ֖יךָ (ū·ḇə·nā·še·ḵā) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female and all וּבְכָל־ (ū·ḇə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every your possessions רְכוּשֶֽׁךָ׃ (rə·ḵū·še·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7399: Property, goods with a serious גְדוֹלָ֖ה (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent blow. מַגֵּפָ֥ה (mag·gê·p̄āh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4046: A blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence Additonal Resources 2 Chronicles 21:14 Blue Letter Bible2 Chronicles 21:14 Bible Gateway 2 Chronicles 21:14 Bible.com 2 Chronicles 21:14 NIV |
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