2 Chronicles 21:18

And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.

And after {H310} all this the LORD {H3068} smote {H5062} him in his bowels {H4578} with an incurable {H369}{H4832} disease {H2483}.

After all this, ADONAI struck him in his intestines with an incurable disease.

After all this, the LORD afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels.

And after all this Jehovah smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:18 describes the severe divine judgment upon King Jehoram of Judah, stating, "And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease." This verse marks a pivotal moment in Jehoram's reign, highlighting the direct consequences of his persistent wickedness and rebellion against God.

Context

King Jehoram, son of the righteous King Jehoshaphat, began his reign by brutally murdering all his brothers to consolidate power (2 Chronicles 21:4). He then proceeded to abandon the ways of the Lord, adopting the idolatrous practices of the kings of Israel, particularly aligning himself with the house of Ahab and leading Judah into widespread apostasy (2 Chronicles 21:6). This verse follows a prophetic letter from the prophet Elijah, which explicitly foretold this very judgment due to Jehoram's heinous actions and his leading the people astray (2 Chronicles 21:12-15). The phrase "after all this" encapsulates his entire pattern of ungodly behavior and the rejection of divine warnings.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution: The verse powerfully illustrates God's justice and His active involvement in human affairs, especially in judging unrepentant sin. Jehoram's suffering is a direct result of his deliberate choices.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: It serves as a stark reminder that prolonged rebellion against God carries severe consequences. The "incurable disease" symbolizes the spiritual decay and ultimate ruin brought about by his wickedness.
  • God's Sovereignty: The Lord is depicted as the ultimate authority, directly "smiting" the king. This underscores God's control over life, health, and judgment, even over powerful rulers.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "smote," nagaph (ื ึธื’ึทืฃ), often implies a divine striking or plague, indicating that this affliction was not random but a direct act of God. The phrase "incurable disease" (ืžึทื—ึฒืœึตื” ืึตื™ืŸ ืžึทืจึฐืคึตึผื - machaleh ein marpeh) literally means "sickness without healing" or "no remedy." This emphasizes the severity and hopelessness of Jehoram's condition from a human perspective, signifying that no earthly physician could provide relief. Further details in 2 Chronicles 21:19 describe the prolonged and agonizing nature of this internal affliction.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful cautionary tale for all generations. It reminds us that while God is patient and merciful, there are indeed consequences for persistent sin and rebellion against His will. It highlights the principle that we often reap what we sow, a truth echoed in passages like Galatians 6:7. The story of King Jehoram calls believers to faithfulness, repentance when straying, and a life lived in obedience to God, understanding that true peace and well-being come from walking in His ways, not from worldly power or idolatry.

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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

  • 2 Chronicles 21:15

    And thou [shalt have] great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.

  • Acts 12:23

    And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

  • 2 Kings 9:29

    And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah.
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