2 Chronicles 11:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 11:15 mean?

2 Chronicles 11:15 describes how King Jeroboam appointed his own priests for worship at the high places, for goat idols, and for the golden calves he had made. This verse highlights Jeroboam’s creation of a separate religious system in Israel that differed from the worship of the LORD in Jerusalem.

The verse is part of a historical account where Jeroboam, king of the northern tribes of Israel, set up alternative worship centers to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem in Judah. Jeroboam chose priests who were not from the traditional priestly tribe and led the people to worship idols, including goat-shaped figures and golden calves, instead of following the worship practices commanded in the Law of Moses.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 11:15

• "ordained" (עָמַד, ‘amad): This word often means "to appoint" or "to set up." Here, it stresses that Jeroboam himself actively chose and installed these priests, rather than following the established priestly order.
• "priests" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This is the standard Hebrew word for priest, but in this context, it refers to unauthorized priests, not those from the tribe of Levi as the Law required.
• "places" (בָּמָה, bamah): This word means "high places," which were local shrines or altars often associated with idol worship, not the central temple in Jerusalem.
• "devils" (שָׂעִיר, sa‘ir): This word literally means "goat" or "hairy one" and is often understood as a reference to goat-shaped idols or demons, showing the idolatrous nature of the worship Jeroboam introduced.
• "calves" (עֵגֶל, ‘egel): This refers to the golden calves Jeroboam made, echoing the story of the golden calf in Exodus, symbolizing a break from proper worship.
• "made" (עָשָׂה, ‘asah): This word means "to make" or "to do," emphasizing that these idols were man-made, not divinely ordained.

Why 2 Chronicles 11:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that Jeroboam’s religious reforms were not just political but involved a complete break from the worship practices commanded by God, introducing new objects and places of worship.
• The mention of "devils" and "calves" highlights the seriousness of the idolatry, showing that these were not just alternative worship styles but involved practices condemned elsewhere in the Bible.
• Understanding this verse helps explain why later prophets and writers viewed Jeroboam’s actions as a major turning point leading Israel away from faithfulness to God, setting the stage for ongoing conflict between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.