2 Chronicles 28:8

KJV

And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} carried away captive {H7617} of their brethren {H251} two hundred {H3967} thousand {H505}, women {H802}, sons {H1121}, and daughters {H1323}, and took also away {H962} much {H7227} spoil {H7998} from them, and brought {H935} the spoil {H7998} to Samaria {H8111}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people of Isra'el took captive from their kinsmen 200,000 wives, sons and daughters; they also captured from them much spoil, which they brought to Shomron.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the Israelites took 200,000 captives from their kinsmen—women, sons, and daughters. They also carried off a great deal of plunder and brought it to Samaria.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 28:8 powerfully narrates a tragic episode during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, where the northern kingdom of Israel inflicted a devastating defeat upon their southern brethren. This verse specifically details the immense human cost: two hundred thousand Judahites—comprising women, sons, and daughters—were forcibly taken captive. Additionally, a substantial amount of plunder was seized from them and subsequently transported to Samaria, the capital of the victorious northern kingdom. This account underscores the profound consequences of national apostasy and the grievous nature of internal conflict within God's covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the grim narrative of [2 Chronicles 28](/2_chronicles/28 "2 Chronicles 28 - Ahaz's Wicked Reign and Judah's Defeat"), which chronicles the deeply idolatrous and unfaithful reign of King Ahaz of Judah. The preceding verses establish Ahaz's unparalleled wickedness, including his abominable practice of sacrificing his own sons to Molech and his widespread promotion of pagan worship throughout Judah. These actions provoked divine judgment, leading to Judah's vulnerability and defeat at the hands of their enemies. Specifically, [2 Chronicles 28:5-7](/2_chronicles/28-5-7 "2 Chronicles 28:5-7 - Judah's Defeat and Casualties") describe the initial military setbacks, including a crushing defeat by King Pekah of Israel, resulting in the slaughter of 120,000 valiant men in a single day. Verse 8 then shifts focus from the slain to the massive number of non-combatant captives taken, setting the stage for the remarkable prophetic intervention of Oded in [2 Chronicles 28:9-15](/2_chronicles/28-9-15 "2 Chronicles 28:9-15 - Oded's Rebuke and the Release of Captives"), who boldly confronts Israel for their excessive cruelty against their brethren and commands the release of the captives.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in 2 Chronicles 28:8 occurred during the Syro-Ephraimite War (c. 735-732 BC). King Ahaz of Judah, facing a formidable alliance between Aram (Syria) and the northern kingdom of Israel, chose to seek assistance from the powerful Assyrian Empire rather than trusting in the Lord. This decision, detailed in [2 Kings 16](/2_kings/16 "2 Kings 16 - Ahaz's Idolatry and Alliance with Assyria") and [Isaiah 7](/isaiah/7 "Isaiah 7 - Isaiah's Prophecy to Ahaz"), had catastrophic long-term implications for Judah's sovereignty and spiritual integrity. The practice of taking large numbers of captives and spoil was a common, albeit brutal, aspect of ancient Near Eastern warfare, serving as a display of military dominance, a source of economic gain, and a means of population control or forced labor. However, for Israelites to enslave fellow Israelites was a profound violation of Mosaic Law, which mandated that Hebrew slaves be released after six years and treated with humanity ([Deuteronomy 15:12-18](/deuteronomy/15-12-18 "Deuteronomy 15:12-18 - Laws Concerning Hebrew Servants")). Thus, the actions in 2 Chronicles 28:8 represent not merely a military victory but a deep spiritual and covenantal transgression by the northern kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes pervasive in the book of 2 Chronicles. Firstly, it starkly illustrates the **consequences of disobedience and idolatry**, a central theological tenet throughout Chronicles, where the prosperity or downfall of the nation is directly correlated with the faithfulness of its kings and people to God's covenant. Ahaz's unparalleled wickedness ([2 Chronicles 28:1-4](/2_chronicles/28-1-4 "2 Chronicles 28:1-4 - Ahaz's Wicked Reign")) serves as the direct catalyst for this divine judgment. Secondly, the verse highlights the tragic theme of **"brother against brother,"** underscoring the deep-seated division and animosity that had festered between the northern and southern kingdoms since the schism, a stark antithesis to God's original design for a united Israel. The act of taking fellow Israelites as captives was particularly heinous, violating both the spirit of the Law and the sacred bonds of kinship. Lastly, while detailing severe judgment, the broader narrative, including this verse, subtly introduces the theme of **divine mercy and intervention**, as God immediately raises up the prophet Oded to challenge Israel's actions and orchestrate the captives' release, preventing a complete and irreversible catastrophe for Judah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Carried away captive (Hebrew, _shâbâh'_):** This verb signifies the act of taking prisoners of war or exiles, emphasizing forced removal and subjugation. Its use here highlights the complete and forceful displacement of the Judahites from their homes and freedom, underscoring the profound disruption and suffering inflicted upon them. It denotes not merely temporary detention but a state of being led into bondage.
* **Brethren (Hebrew, _ʼâch'_):** This plural noun, meaning "brothers" or "kinsmen," carries profound significance in this context. It underscores the familial and covenantal relationship between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Both nations descended from Jacob (Israel), shared a common heritage, and were bound by the Mosaic covenant. The use of "brethren" here intensifies the tragedy and moral reprehensibility of the act, portraying it as an unnatural and deeply offensive violation of kinship and divine law, rather than a typical act of war against a foreign enemy.
* **Spoil (Hebrew, _shâlâl'_):** This term refers to plunder, booty, or loot taken from a defeated enemy. In ancient warfare, spoil encompassed not only goods and livestock but also, at times, people. Its inclusion here emphasizes the economic motivation behind the raid and the comprehensive despoiling of Judah's resources. The act of taking "much spoil" alongside human captives signifies a complete victory and the systematic exploitation of the vanquished.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand":** This initial clause immediately identifies the aggressors as the northern kingdom ("children of Israel") and the victims as the Judahites ("their brethren"), highlighting the tragic internal conflict. The phrase "carried away captive" denotes a forced removal and enslavement. The specific number, "two hundred thousand," emphasizes the immense scale of this human tragedy, representing a significant portion of Judah's population, especially given the previous verse's account of 120,000 men slain.
* **"women, sons, and daughters":** This specifies the demographic of the captives, emphasizing the vulnerability and innocence of those taken. The inclusion of "women, sons, and daughters" (i.e., entire families, including children) underscores the comprehensive devastation wrought upon Judahite society. It paints a vivid picture of widespread family separation, trauma, and the disruption of future generations, making the act particularly cruel and inhumane.
* **"and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria":** This final clause details the material gains of the conquest and their destination. The phrase "much spoil" indicates a vast amount of plunder, reflecting the economic devastation inflicted upon Judah. The act of bringing the spoil "to Samaria," the capital of the northern kingdom, signifies the complete success of their military campaign and serves as a public display of their victory, further humiliating the defeated Judahites.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its somber message. The most striking is **Juxtaposition**, particularly in the phrasing "children of Israel" and "their brethren." This highlights the tragic irony and profound moral transgression of one part of God's chosen people enslaving another, emphasizing the unnatural and covenantally offensive nature of the conflict. The **Enumeration** of "two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters" serves to underscore the immense scale of human suffering and loss, creating a vivid and emotionally resonant image of widespread devastation. While the Chronicler often uses large, specific numbers to emphasize magnitude and divine judgment, this detail functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration** to impress upon the reader the severity of the calamity. The mention of "much spoil" and its destination "to Samaria" functions as **Metonymy**, where the plunder and the capital city represent the complete victory, dominance, and economic exploitation of the northern kingdom over the southern. The overall tone is one of **Lament** and **Tragedy**, effectively conveying the profound sorrow and divine judgment associated with this internal strife.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a stark reminder of the covenantal consequences of disobedience and the tragic reality of internal strife within God's people. The capture of "brethren" by "brethren" is a profound violation of the unity and mutual care envisioned by the Mosaic Law, which explicitly prohibited the perpetual enslavement of fellow Israelites and commanded their humane treatment. Theologically, it illustrates God's willingness to use even one segment of His covenant people to judge another when apostasy becomes rampant, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to justice and holiness. Yet, the immediate context ([2 Chronicles 28:9-15](/2_chronicles/28-9-15 "2 Chronicles 28:9-15 - Oded's Rebuke and the Release of Captives")) reveals God's compassion, as He swiftly intervenes through the prophet Oded to prevent the ultimate destruction of Judah, showing that even in judgment, His mercy enduring and His covenant purposes prevail.

* [Deuteronomy 28:47-48](/deuteronomy/28-47-48 "Descriptive Title")
* [Leviticus 25:39-43](/leviticus/25-39-43 "Descriptive Title")
* [Amos 1:9-11](/amos/1-9-11 "Descriptive Title")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account in 2 Chronicles 28:8 offers a sobering mirror for contemporary believers and communities. It vividly illustrates the destructive power of spiritual apostasy and the devastating consequences of disunity, even among those who share a common faith heritage. When a people or an individual turns away from God's covenant and embraces idolatry—whether it be the overt worship of false gods or the more subtle idolatry of self, wealth, or power—divine protection is withdrawn, and vulnerability to external and internal enemies increases. Furthermore, the tragedy of "brother against brother" serves as a powerful warning against internal strife, division, and the dehumanization of fellow believers. It calls us to examine our hearts for any attitudes of superiority, unforgiveness, or contempt that could lead to spiritual or relational "captivity" within the body of Christ. Instead, we are called to pursue unity, reconciliation, and compassionate care for one another, remembering that our true battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. This passage compels us to prioritize fidelity to God and love for our neighbor, especially our fellow believers, above all else.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might subtle forms of idolatry in my own life or in our community invite spiritual vulnerability or judgment?**
* **How does the "brother against brother" dynamic in this verse challenge my understanding of unity and conflict resolution within the church today?**
* **What practical steps can I take to foster greater compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation in my relationships, particularly with fellow believers?**
* **How can this historical account deepen my appreciation for God's mercy, even in the midst of His just judgment?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow the northern kingdom to carry away their brethren captive?**

Answer: God allowed this devastating event as a direct consequence of King Ahaz's and Judah's profound idolatry and unfaithfulness. The Chronicler consistently emphasizes that national prosperity and defeat are linked to obedience or disobedience to God's covenant. Ahaz's reign was marked by extreme wickedness, including child sacrifice and widespread idol worship ([2 Chronicles 28:1-4](/2_chronicles/28-1-4 "2 Chronicles 28:1-4 - Ahaz's Wicked Reign")). While the northern kingdom acted with malicious intent, they were, in this instance, instruments of God's judgment upon Judah's sin, fulfilling the warnings of the covenant curses found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). However, it's crucial to note that God swiftly intervened through the prophet Oded to rebuke Israel and command the release of the captives ([2 Chronicles 28:9-15](/2_chronicles/28-9-15 "2 Chronicles 28:9-15 - Oded's Rebuke and the Release of Captives")), demonstrating His mercy even in judgment and His disapproval of His people enslaving one another.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 28:8 depicts a moment of profound brokenness and judgment within the Old Covenant, it subtly points forward to the ultimate reconciliation and liberation found in Christ. The tragic scene of "brethren" enslaving "brethren" underscores humanity's fallen state and the deep divisions caused by sin, even among those who should be united. This brokenness foreshadows the universal human condition, where all are held captive by sin and spiritual death ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") and [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Jesus Christ, the true Son of David and the ultimate King of Israel, comes not to take captives but to set them free. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to redeem humanity from the bondage of sin and death ([Galatians 1:4](/galatians/1-4 "Galatians 1:4 - Christ Gave Himself for Our Sins")). Through His atoning work, He breaks down the dividing walls of hostility, whether between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), or any other human division, creating one new humanity in Himself ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - One New Humanity")). The prophet Oded's intervention to release the captives in the broader narrative of 2 Chronicles 28 serves as a faint echo of Christ's greater redemptive work, where He, motivated by divine compassion, liberates those held captive by sin, bringing them into His glorious freedom and eternal inheritance ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")).

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

2 Chronicles 11:4

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

Deuteronomy 28:41

Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.

Deuteronomy 28:25

The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

Acts 13:26

Men [and] brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

Acts 7:26

And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?