And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

2 CHRONICLES 11:12KJV
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2 Chronicles 11:12 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 11:12 mean?

2 Chronicles 11:12 describes how King Rehoboam fortified every city under his control by placing shields and spears in them, making these cities very strong and secure, especially since he had the support of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. This verse highlights Rehoboam’s efforts to strengthen his kingdom’s defenses after the division of Israel.

The setting is after the kingdom of Israel split into two, with Rehoboam ruling the southern kingdom (Judah and Benjamin). Rehoboam is not speaking directly; the writer is describing his actions as king. The verse shows Rehoboam’s practical steps to protect his territory from threats, emphasizing the importance of military preparedness and the loyalty of the tribes that remained with him.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 11:12

  • שָׁעָרִים (city, H5892; transliteration: ʿir): This word refers to each individual city that Rehoboam fortified, showing that the defensive measures were widespread and not limited to just the capital.
  • צִנָּה (shields, H6793; transliteration: tsinnah): This word means large shields, often used for protection in battle, highlighting the seriousness of the preparations.
  • רֹמַח (spears, H7420; transliteration: romach): This word refers to spears, a common weapon, underlining the military focus of Rehoboam’s actions.
  • הִרְבָּה (exceeding, H7235; transliteration: hirbah) and מְאֹד (exceeding, H3966; transliteration: me'od): Both words together intensify the idea, meaning Rehoboam made the cities “very much” or “extremely” strong, stressing the thoroughness of his efforts.
  • חָזַק (strong, H2388; transliteration: chazaq): This word means to make strong or strengthen, emphasizing the result of Rehoboam’s preparations.

Why 2 Chronicles 11:12 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Rehoboam’s response to losing most of Israel was not passive; he took active steps to secure what remained of his kingdom.
  • The emphasis on both shields and spears, and the double use of words for “exceeding,” shows the seriousness and scale of the fortifications, not just a token effort.
  • Mentioning Judah and Benjamin highlights the political reality after the split, helping readers understand the new boundaries and alliances in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“spears” Hebrew H7420 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 25:7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
  • 1 Chronicles 12:24 The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.
  • Nehemiah 4:16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.

“shields” Hebrew H6793 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:15 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target.
  • Proverbs 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.