Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.

2 CHRONICLES 13:9KJV
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2 Chronicles 13:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 13:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 13:9 points out that the people of Israel have rejected the priests who were chosen by the LORD—descendants of Aaron and the Levites—and instead have appointed their own priests, copying the customs of other nations. The verse criticizes this, saying anyone who brings the right offerings can become a priest, even if they serve idols that are not truly gods.

In this verse, King Abijah of Judah is speaking to the northern kingdom of Israel during a confrontation. He accuses Israel of abandoning the priesthood established by God (through Aaron and the Levites) and adopting foreign religious practices. Abijah highlights how Israel’s new system allows anyone to become a priest if they simply perform the right rituals, rather than being called by God.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 13:9

  • "Priests" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This word refers specifically to those set apart for service to God, originally from Aaron’s family. The verse contrasts true priests with those chosen by human decision.
  • "Consecrate" (מָלֵא, male; יָד, yad): The phrase means to "fill the hand," a Hebrew way of describing the ordination or appointment of priests. Here, it suggests that anyone can "fill his hand" and become a priest, which was not how God intended.
  • "No gods" (לֹא אֱלֹהִים, lo elohim): This phrase makes it clear that the idols being served are not real gods at all, emphasizing the emptiness of the new priesthood.

Why 2 Chronicles 13:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the priesthood in Israel had become corrupted, with anyone able to buy their way into religious leadership, which was a break from God’s original instructions.
  • The verse highlights the difference between worship as God commanded and the practices borrowed from other nations, showing the seriousness of Israel’s departure from their faith roots.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the tension between Judah and Israel at this point in history, and why the legitimacy of the priesthood was such a major concern.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H5080 · used in 51 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
  • Job 6:13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
  • Jeremiah 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

“no” Hebrew H3808 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
  • Numbers 14:35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
  • Psalms 17:1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

“bullock” Hebrew H6499 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Numbers 7:57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:32 And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: