2 Chronicles 28:17

KJV

For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

KJV (with Strong's)

For again the Edomites {H130} had come {H935} and smitten {H5221} Judah {H3063}, and carried away {H7617} captives {H7628}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For again the people from Edom had come, attacking Y'hudah and carrying off captives.

Berean Standard Bible

The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah and carried away captives.

American Standard Version

For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse records a devastating renewed assault by the Edomites against the Kingdom of Judah during the unfaithful reign of King Ahaz, highlighting the nation's severe vulnerability and the escalating divine judgment against its widespread idolatry and rejection of the Lord. This attack, which resulted in the capture and deportation of Judahite citizens, underscores the dire consequences of abandoning the covenant relationship with God and seeking human alliances instead of divine protection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The immediate literary context of 2 Chronicles 28:17 places it squarely within the grim narrative of King Ahaz's reign over Judah, specifically [2 Chronicles 28](/2_chronicles/28 "2 Chronicles 28 - Ahaz's Reign and Judah's Decline"). This chapter meticulously chronicles Ahaz's profound apostasy, including his adoption of foreign idolatry and even child sacrifice ([2 Chronicles 28:2-4](/2_chronicles/28-2-4 "2 Chronicles 28:2-4 - Ahaz's Idolatry and Child Sacrifice")). The preceding verses have already detailed severe judgments against Judah, including devastating defeats by the Arameans and the Northern Kingdom of Israel, resulting in massive casualties and the capture of many Judahites, though many captives were later returned due to prophetic intervention ([2 Chronicles 28:5-15](/2_chronicles/28-5-15 "2 Chronicles 28:5-15 - Attacks from Aram and Israel; Captives Returned")). Verse 17 marks a *further* escalation of Judah's distress, indicating that despite previous calamities, Ahaz remained unrepentant, leading to continued divine chastisement. This verse sets the stage for Ahaz's desperate, yet ultimately futile, appeal to the king of Assyria for help ([2 Chronicles 28:16](/2_chronicles/28-16 "2 Chronicles 28:16 - Ahaz Seeks Assyrian Help")), a decision that only compounded Judah's troubles and deepened its spiritual decline.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, King Ahaz's reign (c. 735-715 BC) coincided with a period of intense geopolitical upheaval in the ancient Near East, dominated by the rising power of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Judah found itself caught between powerful regional forces, including Aram (Syria) and Israel (the Northern Kingdom), who formed an anti-Assyrian coalition that Ahaz refused to join, leading to the Syro-Ephraimitic War. The Edomites, traditional adversaries of Judah and descendants of Esau ([Genesis 25:30](/genesis/25-30 "Genesis 25:30 - Esau's Name and Edom")), inhabited the mountainous region south-east of the Dead Sea. Their history with Israel was marked by intermittent conflict and deep-seated animosity, often exploiting Judah's weaknesses, as seen in earlier periods ([2 Chronicles 21:8-10](/2_chronicles/21-8-10 "2 Chronicles 21:8-10 - Edomite Revolt against Jehoram")). The practice of "carrying away captives" was a standard, brutal military tactic of the era, used to depopulate conquered territories, break national identity, and provide slave labor or tribute to the victorious power. This act was not merely a military success but a profound humiliation and economic blow, reflecting the complete subjugation of the defeated.
* **Key Themes:** Several key themes converge in 2 Chronicles 28:17. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, where the repeated invasions and defeats, including this Edomite assault, are presented as direct consequences of King Ahaz's and Judah's widespread idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The Chronicler consistently links national suffering to spiritual apostasy, emphasizing God's active involvement in the nation's history as both judge and disciplinarian. This verse also highlights the **Historical Enmity** between Judah and Edom, a rivalry rooted in the sibling conflict of Jacob and Esau, which frequently manifested in Edomite aggression whenever Judah was vulnerable. The phrase "again" underscores the recurring nature of this threat, emphasizing a pattern of hostility that intensified during Judah's spiritual decline. Finally, the narrative powerfully illustrates Judah's profound **Vulnerability Without God's Protection**. When Ahaz abandoned the Lord and sought alliances with human powers like Assyria ([2 Chronicles 28:16](/2_chronicles/28-16 "2 Chronicles 28:16 - Ahaz Seeks Assyrian Help")), the divine hedge of protection was removed, leaving Judah exposed to its enemies and demonstrating the futility of relying on anything other than the Lord for true security and peace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Edomites (Hebrew, _ʼĔdômîy'_):** This term refers to the inhabitants of Edom, a kingdom located southeast of the Dead Sea, whose people were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. Their name is often associated with the Hebrew word for "red" (`’ādōm`), possibly alluding to the reddish sandstone cliffs characteristic of their territory or to Esau's "red" stew ([Genesis 25:30](/genesis/25-30 "Genesis 25:30 - Esau's Red Stew")). Their history with Israel and Judah was consistently marked by animosity and conflict, often serving as instruments of divine judgment against an unfaithful Judah.
* **Smitten (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** Derived from the primitive root נָכָה (nâkâh), meaning "to strike (lightly or severely), beat, kill, slay." The form used in the verse (wayyakkū) is the Hiphil imperfect consecutive, indicating a decisive and forceful action. This signifies not merely an attack, but a successful, crushing blow inflicted upon Judah, resulting in significant casualties and subjugation. It conveys the severity and effectiveness of the Edomite military action.
* **Carried away captives (Hebrew, _shâbâh'_ / _shᵉbîy'_):** This phrase employs a cognate accusative construction, combining the verb שָׁבָה (shâbâh), "to transport into captivity," with the noun שְׁבִי (shᵉbîy), meaning "exiled, captured," or "captives/booty." This grammatical structure emphasizes the act and its outcome, highlighting the complete subjugation of the defeated population. It vividly portrays the brutal reality of ancient warfare, where human beings were treated as spoils of war and forcibly deported, signifying a profound loss of freedom and national dignity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For again the Edomites had come":** The introductory "For" (כִּי, _kî_) links this event directly to the preceding narrative of Judah's escalating distress and Ahaz's persistent unfaithfulness. The crucial word "again" (עוֹד, _ʿôd_) signifies a repeated occurrence, indicating that this was not the first time the Edomites had attacked Judah, nor was it an isolated incident of Judah's suffering. It underscores a pattern of divine judgment and the persistent vulnerability of a nation that had turned away from its covenant God. This repetition heightens the sense of relentless pressure and the cumulative nature of divine discipline.
* **"and smitten Judah":** This clause describes the direct military action and its devastating effect. The Edomites did not merely raid; they "smote" Judah, implying a decisive victory that inflicted significant damage, casualties, and weakened the kingdom's defenses. This was a severe blow to Judah's military and national security, further eroding its strength and morale during Ahaz's disastrous reign. The verb choice emphasizes the force and success of the Edomite assault.
* **"and carried away captives":** This final clause details one of the most brutal and humiliating consequences of the Edomite victory. The taking of captives (שְׁבִי, _shevi_) was a common practice in ancient warfare, serving to humiliate the defeated, deplete their population, and provide labor or tribute for the victors. For Judah, this meant the loss of its people, the breaking of families, and a profound sense of national shame and vulnerability, serving as a tangible sign of God's judgment and the removal of His protective hand from a disobedient nation.

#### Literary Devices
2 Chronicles 28:17 employs several potent literary devices that amplify its theological message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically through the adverb "again" (עוֹד, _ʿôd_). This word emphasizes the recurring nature of Judah's suffering and the relentless pressure from external enemies, reinforcing the Chronicler's theological message that Ahaz's persistent unfaithfulness led to continuous divine judgment. This repetition also highlights the escalating crisis and the cumulative effect of Judah's apostasy. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the broader narrative: Ahaz's desperate attempts to secure his kingdom through human alliances, particularly with Assyria ([2 Chronicles 28:16](/2_chronicles/28-16 "2 Chronicles 28:16 - Ahaz Seeks Assyrian Help")), paradoxically lead to more attacks and deeper distress, as seen with the Edomites and later the Philistines ([2 Chronicles 28:18](/2_chronicles/28-18 "2 Chronicles 28:18 - Philistine Attacks")). This underscores the futility of relying on human strength over divine protection. Furthermore, the act of "carrying away captives" serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing** of the much larger and more devastating exiles that would befall both the Northern Kingdom (Assyrian exile) and Judah (Babylonian exile), reinforcing the theme of covenant consequences for national apostasy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 28:17 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that covenant unfaithfulness leads to severe consequences. For Judah, abandoning the Lord's covenant, particularly through Ahaz's idolatry and reliance on foreign powers, resulted in the removal of divine protection, leaving the nation vulnerable to its historical enemies. This verse underscores God's sovereignty over nations, using even hostile peoples like the Edomites as instruments of His righteous judgment and discipline. It serves as a stark reminder that true security and prosperity for God's people are found not in human alliances or military strength, but in faithful obedience and trust in the Lord alone. The repeated attacks signify God's persistent call for repentance, a call tragically ignored by Ahaz, leading to further devastation.

* [2 Chronicles 21:8](/2_chronicles/21-8 "Edomite Revolt Against Jehoram")
* [Deuteronomy 28:25](/deuteronomy/28-25 "Israel Defeated Before Enemies")
* [Psalm 9:10](/psalms/9-10 "Those Who Know Your Name Trust In You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Judah's distress under Ahaz, culminating in the Edomite attack of 2 Chronicles 28:17, serves as a timeless cautionary tale for believers today. It powerfully illustrates that spiritual compromise and reliance on worldly solutions, rather than divine wisdom and strength, inevitably lead to vulnerability and distress. Just as Judah faced escalating external threats when it turned from God, so too can individuals and communities experience spiritual and practical consequences when they drift from their covenant relationship with the Lord. This passage challenges us to examine where our ultimate trust lies—in human strategies, financial security, or political power, or in the unfailing sovereignty and provision of God. It calls us to a posture of humble dependence and faithful obedience, reminding us that true peace and security are found only under the protective hand of the Almighty, who is our refuge and strength in every time of trouble. We are invited to learn from Judah's mistakes, turning from self-reliance and idolatry to wholehearted trust in God, who alone can provide ultimate security and deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my trust when faced with challenges or crises, and how does this align with biblical principles?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to compromise my faith for perceived security, worldly gain, or social acceptance?**
* **How does Judah's experience under Ahaz encourage me to seek God's wisdom and protection first in all circumstances, rather than relying on my own understanding or human solutions?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Edomites attack Judah "again"?**

Answer: The word "again" in 2 Chronicles 28:17 highlights the long-standing animosity between Edom and Judah, rooted in the sibling rivalry of Jacob and Esau ([Genesis 25:30](/genesis/25-30 "Genesis 25:30 - Esau's Name and Edom")). Historically, Edom often exploited Judah's weaknesses, as seen during King Jehoram's reign when they successfully revolted ([2 Chronicles 21:8-10](/2_chronicles/21-8-10 "2 Chronicles 21:8-10 - Edomite Revolt against Jehoram")). In Ahaz's time, Judah was severely weakened by divine judgment due to its widespread idolatry and unfaithfulness. The Edomites, likely seeing an opportune moment in Judah's distress and perhaps encouraged by Judah's other enemies (like Aram and Israel), launched another assault to expand their territory or exact tribute. This repetition underscores the Chronicler's theological point that Judah's ongoing suffering was a direct consequence of its persistent rebellion against God, demonstrating that divine discipline often comes through familiar adversaries.

**What was King Ahaz's main problem that led to these attacks?**

Answer: King Ahaz's primary problem was his profound unfaithfulness and blatant idolatry, which directly violated God's covenant with Judah. [2 Chronicles 28:2-4](/2_chronicles/28-2-4 "2 Chronicles 28:2-4 - Ahaz's Idolatry and Child Sacrifice") explicitly states that he "walked in the ways of the kings of Israel" (referring to the idolatrous Northern Kingdom) and even "made molten images for Baalim" and "burnt his children in the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom." Instead of repenting and trusting in the Lord for deliverance from foreign threats, Ahaz sought help from the king of Assyria ([2 Chronicles 28:16](/2_chronicles/28-16 "2 Chronicles 28:16 - Ahaz Seeks Assyrian Help")), further demonstrating his lack of faith and reliance on human power over divine sovereignty. This spiritual apostasy removed God's protective hand from Judah, making the nation vulnerable to the very enemies it feared, including the Edomites, as a direct consequence of its covenant breaking.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The plight of Judah under Ahaz, marked by relentless attacks and the carrying away of captives as seen in 2 Chronicles 28:17, powerfully foreshadows humanity's deeper spiritual captivity and the ultimate deliverance found in Christ. Judah's vulnerability stemmed from its unfaithfulness, a reflection of humanity's inherent sinfulness that separates us from God and leaves us exposed to the destructive forces of sin and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Just as Judah desperately needed a deliverer beyond human alliances, so too did humanity need a Savior who could break the chains of spiritual bondage. Jesus Christ, the true King of Judah and the Son of David, did not seek worldly alliances or military might, but instead offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His death and resurrection, He conquered sin, death, and the powers that held humanity captive ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers and Authorities")). In Christ, believers find true freedom and security, not through human strength or alliances, but through faith in His finished work, becoming part of His eternal kingdom where no enemy can ultimately prevail ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death and Deliverance from Fear")). He is the faithful King who provides the ultimate protection and delivers His people from all forms of captivity, fulfilling the deepest longings for security and peace that Judah desperately sought.

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

Obadiah 1:10

¶ For [thy] violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.

Obadiah 1:13

Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid [hands] on their substance in the day of their calamity;

Obadiah 1:14

Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.

2 Chronicles 25:11

And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

2 Chronicles 25:12

And [other] ten thousand [left] alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.

Leviticus 26:18

And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.