2 Chronicles 21:14

Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:

Behold, with a great {H1419} plague {H4046} will the LORD {H3068} smite {H5062} thy people {H5971}, and thy children {H1121}, and thy wives {H802}, and all thy goods {H7399}:

Because of all this, ADONAI is going to strike your people with a terrible disease, also your children, your wives and everything you have.

So behold, the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a serious blow.

behold, Jehovah will smite with a great plague thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance;

Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:14 records a severe prophetic judgment against King Jehoram of Judah, delivered through a letter attributed to the prophet Elijah. This verse highlights the direct and comprehensive nature of God's impending wrath due to Jehoram's profound wickedness and apostasy.

Context of the Verse

King Jehoram, son of the godly King Jehoshaphat, tragically turned away from the Lord upon ascending the throne. His reign was marked by extreme evil: he murdered his own brothers to consolidate power (2 Chronicles 21:4) and, most significantly, married Athaliah, daughter of the wicked King Ahab of Israel. This alliance led him and Judah into deep idolatry, causing the people to forsake the worship of the true God (2 Chronicles 21:6). The letter from Elijah, though delivered after Elijah's physical ascension (2 Kings 2:11), underscores the certainty and enduring nature of God's word, serving as a final, dire warning before judgment fell. The plague described here is part of the unfolding consequences of his rebellion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment for Wickedness: The primary message is God's unwavering justice against sin, particularly against leaders who lead their people astray. Jehoram's actions provoked a direct and severe response from the Lord.
  • Comprehensive Consequences: The judgment is not limited to Jehoram alone but extends to his "people," "children," "wives," and "goods." This illustrates how the sin of a leader can have devastating, far-reaching effects on an entire nation and household.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse is a direct declaration of the coming plague, which later details in 2 Chronicles 21:15-19 describe as a severe illness for Jehoram and the destruction of his family by invaders. It emphasizes God's faithfulness to His warnings.
  • The Seriousness of Idolatry: Jehoram's embrace of foreign gods and practices was a grave offense, breaking the covenant with God and incurring His wrath.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "plague" here is maggฤ“phฤh (ืžึทื’ึตึผืคึธื”), which signifies a divinely inflicted blow, pestilence, or slaughter. It's not merely a natural disaster but a targeted act of judgment from God. The word "smite" (nฤgaph, ื ึธื’ึทืฃ) reinforces this, meaning to strike, afflict, or push down, conveying the forceful and decisive nature of the Lord's action.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that actions have consequences, especially for those in positions of leadership or influence. It underscores the importance of:

  • Accountability: Leaders, whether in a nation, community, or family, are accountable to God for their choices and their impact on those they lead.
  • The Dangers of Sin: Sin, particularly idolatry and rebellion against God's commands, carries severe repercussions, not just for the individual but often for those connected to them.
  • God's Justice: While God is merciful and long-suffering (Romans 2:4), He is also just. His warnings are serious, and His word will ultimately be fulfilled (Isaiah 55:11). This passage encourages reverence for God and adherence to His ways to avoid His corrective judgment.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 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;

  • 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.

  • Hosea 5:11

    Ephraim [is] oppressed [and] broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
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