2 Chronicles 28:10

And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: [but are there] not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?

And now ye purpose {H559} to keep under {H3533} the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063} and Jerusalem {H3389} for bondmen {H5650} and bondwomen {H8198} unto you: but are there not with you, even {H7535} with you, sins {H819} against the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}?

Now you intend to force the people from Y'hudah and Yerushalayim into subjection as your slaves; but haven't you guilty deeds of your own that you committed against ADONAI your God?

And now you intend to reduce to slavery the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem. But are you not also guilty before the LORD your God?

And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not even with you trespasses of your own against Jehovah your God?

Commentary

2 Chronicles 28:10 captures a powerful prophetic rebuke from Oded, a prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, to the victorious Israelite army. After a devastating defeat of Judah, the Israelite soldiers had taken 200,000 Judean captives, intending to enslave them. Oded confronts their actions, highlighting their own culpability before God even in their moment of triumph.

Context

This verse is set during the tumultuous reign of King Ahaz of Judah, a period marked by significant spiritual decline and political instability. Ahaz had provoked the Lord by adopting pagan practices and closing the temple, leading to divine judgment upon Judah (2 Chronicles 28:1-5). As a consequence, God allowed Judah to be severely defeated by King Pekah of Israel, resulting in a massive capture of Judean men, women, and children (2 Chronicles 28:6-8). As the Israelite army returned with their spoils and captives, the prophet Oded, along with several prominent leaders of Ephraim, met them, delivering God's message. Oded's intervention is crucial, as he reminds Israel that while they might have been used by God to chastise Judah, their own sins made them unfit to act as permanent oppressors over their brethren.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Mercy: While God used Israel to punish Judah's idolatry, He did not condone Israel's excessive cruelty or permanent enslavement of their kinsmen. God's judgment is tempered with mercy, and He calls His people to reflect His character.
  • Hypocrisy and Self-Righteousness: Oded's core accusation is that Israel, despite their victory, was just as guilty of "sins against the LORD your God." This highlights the danger of condemning others while ignoring one's own spiritual failings, a timeless message relevant for all believers (Matthew 7:3-5).
  • Brotherhood and Unity: Despite the political schism between the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), they remained one people, descendants of Abraham, united by their covenant with God. Enslaving fellow Israelites was a grave violation of this shared identity and the principles of the Mosaic Law.
  • Prophetic Rebuke: Oded serves as a powerful example of a prophet boldly speaking truth to power, challenging the actions of a victorious army when they went against God's will. His courage led to the release of the captives.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "keep under" translates the Hebrew word kavash (כָּבַשׁ), which means to subdue, bring into bondage, or tread down. It emphasizes the oppressive intent of the Israelite army to permanently enslave the Judean captives. The direct question, "but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?", uses the Hebrew plural for "sins" (ḥaṭṭa'ot), indicating that Israel's transgressions were numerous and well-known to God, especially their widespread idolatry and social injustices that mirrored Judah's own failings.

Practical Application

This verse calls us to profound introspection and humility. It challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Own Hearts: Before pointing out the faults of others, especially those who may be struggling or have fallen, we must first acknowledge our own weaknesses and sins before God.
  • Practice Compassion and Empathy: Even when we feel justified or superior, God calls us to extend mercy and understanding, remembering our shared human frailty and the grace we ourselves have received.
  • Seek Justice and Righteousness: The Lord cares deeply about how we treat the vulnerable and oppressed. This passage reminds us that true victory is not found in exploiting others, but in upholding God's standards of justice and love (Micah 6:8).
  • Recognize Spiritual Brotherhood: In the Christian context, this principle extends to how believers treat one another. Despite differences, we are united in Christ and called to love and serve each other rather than seeking to dominate or exploit.

Reflection

2 Chronicles 28:10 serves as a timeless warning against hypocrisy and the abuse of power. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and His expectation that His people, regardless of their circumstances, reflect His character of mercy and righteousness. It is a powerful reminder that our own standing before God is never based on the sins of others, but on our personal obedience and humility.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 25:39 (3 votes)

    ¶ And if thy brother [that dwelleth] by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:

  • Leviticus 25:46 (3 votes)

    And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit [them for] a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour.

  • Romans 12:20 (2 votes)

    Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

  • Romans 12:21 (2 votes)

    Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

  • Jeremiah 25:29 (2 votes)

    For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • 1 Peter 4:17 (2 votes)

    For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

  • 1 Peter 4:18 (2 votes)

    And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?