2 Chronicles 13:21

KJV

But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Abijah {H29} waxed mighty {H2388}, and married {H5375} fourteen {H702}{H6240} wives {H802}, and begat {H3205} twenty {H6242} and two {H8147} sons {H1121}, and sixteen {H8337}{H6240} daughters {H1323}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Aviyahu grew strong; he married fourteen wives and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

But Abijah grew strong, married fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

American Standard Version

But Abijah waxed mighty, and took unto himself fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 13:21 offers a concise yet profound summary of King Abijah of Judah's post-victory flourishing and the consolidation of his royal authority. This verse highlights Abijah's increasing strength and influence, vividly demonstrated by his extensive family—fourteen wives, twenty-two sons, and sixteen daughters—which, in the ancient Near East, served as a powerful testament to divine blessing, immense wealth, and a secure dynastic future. It functions as a concluding statement on the prosperity and stability of his reign, immediately preceding the record of his death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse functions as a climactic summary of Abijah's reign, directly following the detailed and theologically significant account of his miraculous victory over Jeroboam I's numerically superior army in [2 Chronicles 13:3-19](/2_chronicles/13-3-19 "2 Chronicles 13:3-19 - Abijah's Decisive Victory Over Jeroboam"). The Chronicler emphatically attributes Judah's triumph to their reliance on the Lord God, as explicitly stated in [2 Chronicles 13:18](/2_chronicles/13-18 "2 Chronicles 13:18 - Judah's Victory Through Divine Aid"). Verse 21, therefore, presents itself as a direct consequence and tangible testament to the divine favor bestowed upon Abijah and Judah after this pivotal act of faith. It effectively sets the stage for the subsequent record of Abijah's death and the peaceful succession of his son Asa, detailed in [2 Chronicles 13:22-14:1](/2_chronicles/13-22-14-1 "2 Chronicles 13:22-14:1 - Abijah's Death and Asa's Accession"). The entire [chapter 13](/2_chronicles/13 "2 Chronicles 13 - Abijah's Reign and God's Deliverance") meticulously emphasizes the Chronicler's core theological agenda: unwavering obedience and reliance on God invariably lead to blessing and victory, while rebellion and idolatry inevitably result in defeat.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Abijah's reign over the Southern Kingdom of Judah was marked by persistent tension and open conflict with the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had seceded under Jeroboam I. In the ancient Near East, a monarch's power, success, and legitimacy were frequently gauged by a combination of military victories, the overall prosperity of his kingdom, and crucially, the size and vigor of his family. A large number of wives and children, particularly sons, was a clear and universally understood indicator of wealth, high social status, and the secure establishment of a dynasty. Such a prolific household ensured a robust line of succession, mitigating the risk of power vacuums or internal strife, and often facilitated political alliances through strategic marriages. While polygamy was a common practice among ancient monarchs, the Mosaic Law, specifically in [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Regulations for Kings Regarding Wives"), cautioned kings against multiplying wives, recognizing the inherent potential for spiritual deviation and internal discord, a cautionary tale notably exemplified by [King Solomon's](/1_kings/11-3 "1 Kings 11:3 - Solomon's Many Wives and Their Idolatry") reign.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theological framework of [2 Chronicles](/2_chronicles/1 "2 Chronicles - The Reigns of Judah's Kings") centers on the enduring Davidic covenant and the profound consequences—both positive and negative—of obedience or disobedience to God, particularly as manifested in the lives of Judah's kings. This verse significantly contributes to the theme of **Divine Favor and Blessing**, portraying Abijah's personal prosperity and numerous progeny as tangible, undeniable evidence of God's blessing, directly following Judah's faithful reliance on Him in battle. It powerfully underscores the theme of **Dynastic Continuity and Strength**, as a large family, especially one rich in sons, was absolutely crucial for securing the future and perpetuating the sacred Davidic line. Furthermore, it subtly yet effectively highlights the **Contrast Between Judah and Israel**, where Judah's steadfast reliance on God (as vividly depicted in [2 Chronicles 13:10-12](/2_chronicles/13-10-12 "2 Chronicles 13:10-12 - Abijah's Appeal to God and Judah's Trust")) leads to miraculous divine intervention and subsequent prosperity, while Israel's persistent idolatry results in their defeat.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Waxed mighty (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** This Hebrew verb (חָזַק, H2388) signifies becoming strong, firm, bold, or courageous. In the context of 2 Chronicles 13:21, it denotes Abijah's increasing power, influence, and the overall stability of his rule. The term often carries the profound connotation of divine enablement or empowerment, especially when used in connection with kings or leaders whose success is explicitly attributed to God's favor. Following the miraculous victory where God Himself strengthened Judah against Israel, "waxed mighty" implies a divinely-granted consolidation of Abijah's reign and authority, signifying not merely human effort but divine backing.
* **Begat (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** This common Hebrew verb (יָלַד, H3205) means "to bear young, bring forth, or beget." Its inclusion in this verse is profoundly significant, extending beyond a mere biological fact to a powerful theological statement. In the ancient world, a king's ability to "beget" many children, particularly sons, was a paramount sign of virility, undeniable divine blessing, and the absolute assurance of dynastic continuity. This prolificacy directly connects to the foundational Abrahamic promise of numerous descendants, suggesting a tangible fulfillment of blessing for the Davidic line through Abijah, ensuring the perpetuation of the royal lineage.
* **Wives (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** This noun (אִשָּׁה, H802), meaning "woman" or "wife," is significant here in its plural form and large number. In ancient Near Eastern royal contexts, the multiplication of wives was a direct indicator of a king's wealth, status, and political reach. Each marriage could represent a political alliance or a means to expand the royal household and influence. The mention of "fourteen wives" underscores Abijah's elevated status and the vastness of his royal establishment, reflecting a period of significant prosperity and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Abijah waxed mighty":** This opening clause directly links Abijah's personal and political strengthening to the preceding divine intervention and the decisive victory over Jeroboam. The conjunction "but" (וְ, *waw*) functions here to indicate a direct consequence and continuation of the narrative, strongly implying that his might was a direct result of the Lord's favor and empowering hand. It speaks to his growing authority, enhanced military prowess, and the newfound stability and security of his kingdom following the decisive defeat of Israel.
* **"and married fourteen wives":** This specific detail profoundly highlights Abijah's elevated status, immense wealth, and expanding political influence. In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the practice of marrying multiple wives was a common and accepted custom for kings, often serving strategic purposes such as forging new alliances, increasing royal prestige, and ensuring a large and influential royal household. The precise number "fourteen" underscores the extensive nature of his royal establishment and serves as a clear indicator of his perceived prosperity and power.
* **"and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters":** The meticulous enumeration of his children further emphasizes Abijah's flourishing reign and the robust, secure nature of his dynasty. A large number of sons was particularly crucial for securing the succession, preventing internal power struggles, and ensuring the continuity of the royal line, while daughters could be strategically used for diplomatic marriages to strengthen alliances. This prolific progeny was universally considered a profound and undeniable blessing from God, signifying the continuation, strength, and divine favor upon the Davidic line, a central theological concern for the Chronicler.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler masterfully employs **Concise Summary** in this verse, distilling a significant period of Abijah's reign into a single, impactful statement that encapsulates his success. The prominent use of **Enumeration**—specifically detailing "fourteen wives, twenty-two sons, and sixteen daughters"—provides precise, concrete details that lend credibility and powerfully emphasize the extraordinary extent of Abijah's prosperity and the vigorous nature of his lineage. This enumeration also functions as a form of **Merism**, where the comprehensive listing of wives and children represents the totality of his personal flourishing and dynastic security. Furthermore, the verse implicitly utilizes **Cause and Effect**, subtly but clearly linking Abijah's "waxing mighty" and subsequent family growth to the divine favor and intervention so dramatically demonstrated in the preceding battle, thereby reinforcing the Chronicler's overarching theological message that unwavering obedience and reliance on God inevitably lead to profound blessing and success.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while appearing to be a straightforward biographical detail, carries immense theological weight within the Chronicler's grand narrative. It powerfully reinforces the enduring biblical principle that God profoundly honors those who honor Him, demonstrating tangible blessings—in this case, augmented power, enhanced prestige, and abundant progeny—as a direct and undeniable outcome of Abijah's and Judah's faithful reliance on the Lord. The remarkable proliferation of the Davidic line through Abijah's many children underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His sacred covenant promises, particularly the solemn assurance of a perpetual dynasty for David. While polygamy is presented here as a historical and cultural norm of the time without explicit condemnation in this specific verse, the broader biblical narrative frequently presents its inherent complexities and challenges. Ultimately, the verse serves as a profound affirmation of God's sovereign hand actively at work in the affairs of kings and nations, graciously granting strength and meticulously ensuring the continuation of His divinely chosen lineage.
* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise of Numerous Descendants to Abraham")
* [Psalm 127:3](/psalm/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children as a Heritage from the Lord")
* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "Proverbs 10:22 - The Blessing of the Lord Brings Wealth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific cultural markers of success in Abijah's ancient context—such as the sheer number of wives and children—are not directly applicable to contemporary Christian life, the underlying spiritual principles embedded in this narrative remain profoundly relevant and transformative. Abijah's remarkable prosperity is unequivocally presented as a direct consequence of Judah's turning to the Lord and experiencing powerful divine intervention in battle. This serves as a potent reminder that true strength, lasting influence, and genuine, enduring blessing ultimately flow from a right, consecrated relationship with God. Our "waxing mighty" in a spiritual sense involves a profound and continuous growth in faith, a deepening of Christ-like character, and an increasing effectiveness for the advancement of God's kingdom, rather than merely accumulating material wealth or achieving social status. This verse challenges us to critically examine where we place our ultimate trust and what we truly consider to be the authentic indicators of success in our lives. Are we earnestly seeking God's favor and relying wholeheartedly on His omnipotent power in the face of our challenges, confidently expecting Him to work mightily in and through us? Our "progeny" in the spiritual realm might manifest as spiritual descendants, the abundant fruit of our labor in the gospel, or the enduring legacy of faith and righteousness we diligently pass on to future generations. This verse profoundly encourages us to pursue a life characterized by unwavering faithfulness, trusting implicitly that God will provide, empower, and direct us according to His perfect and sovereign will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "waxing mighty" truly signify in the context of my spiritual life today, beyond worldly measures?**
* **How does my understanding of divine blessing align with or differ from ancient cultural perspectives, and what does that reveal about my values?**
* **In what specific areas of my life am I actively relying on God for strength and success, and how might I cultivate a deeper, more consistent reliance on Him?**
* **What "legacy" or "progeny"—spiritual or otherwise—am I intentionally cultivating that genuinely reflects God's blessing and His divine purpose for my life?**

### FAQ
**Does 2 Chronicles 13:21 endorse polygamy?**

Answer: No, the verse does not endorse polygamy. It is a purely descriptive statement, recording a historical fact about King Abijah's life and the prevailing societal norms of his era. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a large number of wives and children was indeed often regarded as a sign of a king's wealth, power, and divine blessing, serving to ensure dynastic continuity. However, the Bible's broader narrative, particularly the Mosaic Law in [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Prohibition Against Multiplying Wives"), explicitly cautioned kings against multiplying wives, and numerous biblical examples (e.g., [King Solomon](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1 - Solomon's Foreign Wives")) vividly illustrate the profound negative spiritual and social consequences of polygamy. The Chronicler's primary focus here is on Abijah's overall prosperity and the continuation of the Davidic line, which is presented as a direct result of God's favor following Judah's reliance on Him in battle.

**Why does the Bible record details like the number of wives and children?**

Answer: Such meticulous details were absolutely crucial in ancient genealogies and historical records for several significant reasons. Firstly, they served to establish the legitimacy, stability, and strength of a king's dynasty, thereby ensuring a clear and undisputed line of succession. A large family, especially one rich in sons, was a powerful indicator of the kingdom's stability and its future prosperity. Secondly, in a culture where children were universally seen as a profound blessing from God ([Psalm 127:3](/psalm/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children as a Heritage from the Lord")), a prolific household was a tangible and undeniable sign of divine favor and prosperity. Thirdly, these detailed records often served to highlight the faithful fulfillment of God's covenant promises, such as the foundational promise to Abraham of numerous descendants ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). For the Chronicler, these specific details underscore the remarkable flourishing of the Davidic line under God's providential blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 13:21 meticulously describes the earthly prosperity and dynastic strength of King Abijah, it ultimately serves as a profound pointer to a far greater, spiritual fulfillment found supremely in Jesus Christ. Abijah's "waxing mighty" and his prolific progeny, which were potent symbols of an earthly king's power and the continuation of his physical lineage, find their ultimate, perfect, and eternal expression in Christ. Jesus is the true and eternal King of the Davidic line, whose kingdom is not merely of this world but is everlasting and transcends all earthly boundaries ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). His might is not measured by earthly wives or physical children, but by His unparalleled divine power over sin, death, and the grave, having triumphed over all spiritual powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). The true "progeny" of Christ is His vast spiritual family—the church, composed of countless believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue, who are spiritually born again through Him ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Believers Born of God")). He is the one who truly "begets" a spiritual multitude, not through physical means, but through the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit, establishing an eternal spiritual lineage that will endure forever ([1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - Born Again to a Living Hope")). Thus, Abijah's earthly success, though significant, foreshadows the infinitely greater, eternal, and spiritual dominion of the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Christ, King of Kings"), Jesus Christ, whose reign and spiritual "descendants" know no end.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 8:30

And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.

Judges 8:31

And his concubine that [was] in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.

2 Samuel 5:12

And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

2 Samuel 5:13

And David took [him] more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

Judges 9:5

And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, [being] threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

2 Chronicles 11:21

And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

Judges 10:4

And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which [are] in the land of Gilead.