2 Chronicles 36:13

KJV

And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he also rebelled {H4775} against king {H4428} Nebuchadnezzar {H5019}, who had made him swear {H7650} by God {H430}: but he stiffened {H7185} his neck {H6203}, and hardened {H553} his heart {H3824} from turning {H7725} unto the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He also rebelled against King N'vukhadnetzar, who had made him swear loyalty to him by God; instead, he became stiffnecked and hardhearted, refusing to turn to ADONAI the God of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.

American Standard Version

And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart against turning unto Jehovah, the God of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 36:13 vividly portrays the ultimate spiritual and political defiance of King Zedekiah, the final king of Judah, against both King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and, more critically, the Lord God of Israel. Despite having sworn a solemn oath "by God" to Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah deliberately chose a path of rebellion, characterized by a stubborn refusal to submit to divine will and a hardened heart that resisted turning back to the God of his ancestors, thereby sealing the fate of Jerusalem and Judah for destruction and exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the dramatic climax of the historical narrative in 2 Chronicles, detailing the final moments of the Kingdom of Judah before the Babylonian exile. It immediately follows the account of Zedekiah's ascension to the throne, placed there by Nebuchadnezzar after the deportation of King Jehoiachin (2 Chronicles 36:10), and Zedekiah's initial wickedness in the sight of the Lord (2 Chronicles 36:12). Verse 13 serves as the pivotal moment, explaining *why* the subsequent destruction and exile, described from 2 Chronicles 36:14 onwards, became inevitable. It underscores Zedekiah's personal culpability in the nation's downfall, linking his spiritual rebellion directly to the catastrophic political and military consequences. The chronicler emphasizes that this was not merely a political misstep but a profound spiritual transgression against God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, Judah was a small, vulnerable kingdom caught between the declining power of Egypt and the rising dominance of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. After the first Babylonian siege and the deportation of King Jehoiachin in 597 BCE, Nebuchadnezzar installed Zedekiah as a vassal king. The act of swearing an oath "by God" was a deeply significant covenant in the ancient Near East, especially when invoked with the name of a deity. Breaking such an oath was not merely a political betrayal but a profound religious offense, believed to invite the wrath of the invoked deity. For Zedekiah, swearing by the God of Israel and then rebelling meant he was directly defying the very God who had established the covenant with Israel and who had repeatedly warned Judah through prophets like Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 27:12-15](/jeremiah/27-12 "Jeremiah 27:12-15 - Jeremiah's Warning to Zedekiah")) to submit to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several critical themes prevalent throughout 2 Chronicles and the Deuteronomistic history. Firstly, it highlights the **consequences of covenant unfaithfulness**. Zedekiah's broken oath and spiritual rebellion represent the culmination of Judah's long history of rejecting God's covenant. Secondly, the phrases "stiffened his neck" and "hardened his heart" powerfully illustrate the theme of **stubborn disobedience and spiritual insensitivity**. This imagery, often used in the Old Testament (e.g., [Exodus 32:9](/exodus/32-9 "Exodus 32:9 - Israel's Stiff Neckedness") concerning Israel in the wilderness), signifies a deliberate and unyielding refusal to repent or respond to divine warnings. Zedekiah's actions are presented as a conscious choice to turn away "from turning unto the LORD God of Israel," despite the persistent prophetic calls to repentance (as seen in [2 Chronicles 36:15-16](/2_chronicles/36-15 "2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - God's Patience and Judah's Rejection")). Finally, the verse underscores the **sovereignty of God in judgment**, even through foreign powers. Nebuchadnezzar, though pagan, is implicitly used by God to bring about the prophesied judgment on a persistently rebellious people, leading to the seventy-year exile foretold in [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rebelled (Hebrew, _marad'_):** This verb signifies an act of open defiance, insubordination, or revolt against a superior authority. In this context, Zedekiah's rebellion was multifaceted: against Nebuchadnezzar politically, but more profoundly, against God, whose name was invoked in the oath. It implies a deliberate breaking of allegiance and a rejection of the established order.
* **Stiffened his neck (Hebrew, _qashah 'oreph'_):** This is a powerful idiom, often used in the Old Testament, depicting stubbornness and obstinacy. It evokes the image of an ox refusing to be guided by the yoke, resisting direction and refusing to turn. Spiritually, it means an unyielding refusal to submit to God's authority or to heed His warnings and commands. It speaks of an internal resistance to correction and repentance.
* **Hardened his heart (Hebrew, _hizzeq libbo'_):** This phrase denotes a deliberate and firm resolve not to yield, repent, or be sensitive to God's will. Unlike a passive state of insensitivity, "hardening the heart" implies an active, willful resistance to divine truth and an intentional closing off of one's inner being to God's grace and guidance. It indicates a deep-seated spiritual insensitivity that blocks out divine truth and guidance, making repentance impossible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar":** This clause establishes Zedekiah's political defiance. As a vassal king, his rebellion against his overlord was a direct violation of his sworn allegiance and a challenge to Babylonian authority, setting the stage for military reprisal.
* **"who had made him swear by God":** This crucial phrase elevates Zedekiah's rebellion from a mere political act to a profound spiritual transgression. The oath, sworn in the name of the Lord God of Israel, made Zedekiah's treachery an affront not just to Nebuchadnezzar but directly to God, whose name was invoked and whose authority was implicitly defied by the breaking of the sacred vow.
* **"but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart":** These two parallel idioms describe the internal, spiritual disposition that drove Zedekiah's rebellion. "Stiffened his neck" speaks to his stubborn refusal to be led or corrected, while "hardened his heart" points to a deliberate, unyielding resistance to God's influence and a refusal to repent. This was a willful choice of spiritual insensitivity.
* **"from turning unto the LORD God of Israel":** This final clause clarifies the ultimate target and consequence of Zedekiah's stubbornness and hardened heart. His defiance was not merely against Nebuchadnezzar, but fundamentally against the God of Israel. His refusal to "turn" signifies a rejection of repentance, a refusal to heed the divine warnings delivered through the prophets, and a persistent unwillingness to align his will with God's. This spiritual posture sealed Judah's fate.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey Zedekiah's profound spiritual state and the gravity of his actions. The most prominent are **Metaphor** and **Parallelism**. The phrases "stiffened his neck" and "hardened his heart" are vivid metaphors. "Stiffened his neck" draws an image from animal husbandry, likening Zedekiah to a stubborn, unyielding ox that refuses to be guided by the yoke, symbolizing his resistance to divine direction. "Hardened his heart" similarly uses a physical property (hardness) to describe an internal, spiritual state of insensitivity and unresponsiveness to God's word and grace. These two metaphors function in **Parallelism**, reinforcing each other to emphasize the depth and deliberateness of Zedekiah's spiritual rebellion. The use of "but" introduces a strong **Contrast**, highlighting the incongruity between the solemn oath sworn "by God" and Zedekiah's subsequent refusal to turn to that very God. This contrast underscores the profound treachery and spiritual blindness at play.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 36:13 serves as a poignant theological statement on the consequences of prolonged spiritual rebellion and the breaking of sacred covenants. It illustrates that God's patience, though vast, is not infinite, and persistent rejection of His will ultimately leads to divine judgment. Zedekiah's actions are presented as the culmination of generations of Judah's unfaithfulness, demonstrating that God holds His people accountable for their covenant obligations. The Lord, as the sovereign ruler of history, even uses pagan kings like Nebuchadnezzar as instruments of His righteous judgment, fulfilling His prophetic warnings. This verse underscores the critical importance of a responsive heart to God's voice and the severe spiritual and physical repercussions of deliberate, unrepentant disobedience. It is a stark reminder that true security lies not in political alliances or military strength, but in faithful submission to the Lord God of Israel.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "The Seriousness of Vows")
* [Deuteronomy 31:27](/deuteronomy/31-27 "Israel's Stubbornness")
* [Hebrews 3:7-8](/hebrews/3-7 "Do Not Harden Your Hearts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic account of King Zedekiah's rebellion and hardened heart in 2 Chronicles 36:13 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It is a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual apathy, the seriousness of commitments, and the inevitable consequences of persistent disobedience to God's revealed will. Zedekiah's failure reminds us that true integrity involves not only keeping our word to others but, more importantly, honoring our covenant with God. His "stiffened neck" and "hardened heart" serve as a mirror, prompting us to examine our own responsiveness to the Holy Spirit's promptings. Are there areas in our lives where we are resisting God's guidance, refusing to repent, or stubbornly clinging to our own ways? The narrative underscores that while God is merciful and patient, there comes a point where continued rejection of His grace leads to severe consequences. Our spiritual vitality depends on a humble, pliable heart that is quick to listen, obey, and turn to the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I take my commitments and vows, especially those made before God or in His name?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting a "stiffened neck" or "hardened heart" towards God's truth or His leading?**
* **What are the potential spiritual or relational consequences of persistent disobedience or unresponsiveness to God in my own life?**
* **How can I cultivate a more humble and responsive heart that is quick to "turn unto the LORD God of Israel"?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Zedekiah swearing "by God" to Nebuchadnezzar?**

Answer: The act of swearing "by God" elevated Zedekiah's oath from a mere political agreement to a sacred covenant. In the ancient Near East, invoking a deity's name in an oath meant placing oneself under the judgment of that deity if the oath was broken. For Zedekiah, swearing by the Lord God of Israel meant he was binding himself under the authority and judgment of the very God of his nation. His subsequent rebellion was therefore not just a political betrayal of Nebuchadnezzar, but a profound spiritual offense directly against the Lord, demonstrating a contempt for divine authority and covenant faithfulness. This made his actions far more serious than a simple breach of contract, inviting divine wrath upon himself and his kingdom, as seen in the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (e.g., [2 Chronicles 36:19](/2_chronicles/36-19 "Destruction of Jerusalem")).

**How does Zedekiah's rebellion relate to earlier kings of Judah and the overall narrative of 2 Chronicles?**

Answer: Zedekiah's rebellion is presented as the culmination of a long and tragic history of apostasy and disobedience by many of Judah's kings and its people, as meticulously documented throughout 2 Chronicles. The book frequently highlights the pattern of kings who "did evil in the sight of the Lord," leading to national decline. Zedekiah's actions, particularly his hardened heart and refusal to turn to God despite prophetic warnings (like those from Jeremiah, e.g., [Jeremiah 32:3](/jeremiah/32-3 "Zedekiah Imprisons Jeremiah")), represent the final, unrepentant stage of this pattern. The chronicler emphasizes that God sent prophets repeatedly (e.g., [2 Chronicles 36:15](/2_chronicles/36-15 "God's Compassion and Warning")) but the people and their leaders mocked them, leading to a point of no return. Thus, Zedekiah's rebellion is not an isolated incident but the final, decisive act that brought about the prophesied seventy-year Babylonian captivity (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Seventy Years of Captivity")), marking the end of the Davidic monarchy in Judah and fulfilling the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Blessings and Curses")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic account of King Zedekiah's rebellion and hardened heart in 2 Chronicles 36:13 powerfully foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to perfectly keep covenant with God and highlights our desperate need for a perfect King. Zedekiah, a descendant of David, failed miserably in his role, breaking a solemn oath and stubbornly resisting the Lord. His "stiffened neck" and "hardened heart" are emblematic of fallen humanity's pervasive sinfulness, a spiritual condition that separates us from God. In stark contrast to Zedekiah's failure, Jesus Christ, the true and ultimate Son of David, perfectly fulfilled every covenant obligation. He never stiffened His neck against the Father's will but was perfectly obedient, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience unto Death")). His heart was never hardened but was always perfectly aligned with God's redemptive purposes. Through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, Jesus provides the means for our hardened hearts to be made new, replacing our "heart of stone" with a "heart of flesh" ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "A New Heart and Spirit")). He inaugurates the New Covenant, where God's law is written not on tablets of stone, but on our hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "The New Covenant")), enabling us to truly "turn unto the LORD God of Israel." Unlike Zedekiah, whose reign ended in destruction and exile, Jesus' reign is eternal, bringing true restoration and an everlasting kingdom of peace and righteousness ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Jesus, Son of David, Eternal King")), ultimately reversing the consequences of humanity's rebellion.

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 30:8

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers [were, but] yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

Ezekiel 17:11

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 17:20

And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.

Exodus 9:17

As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

Hebrews 3:13

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

2 Kings 17:4

And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as [he had done] year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.

2 Samuel 21:2

And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites [were] not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)