And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.

2 CHRONICLES 15:11KJV
Know the Bible

2 Chronicles 15:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 15:11 mean?

2 Chronicles 15:11 describes how the people of Judah offered a large sacrifice to the LORD, giving seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep from the goods they had taken as spoil. This act was part of a public worship event, showing their gratitude and dedication after a successful campaign.

The verse is set during the reign of King Asa, after he and the people of Judah had experienced victory over their enemies. The people are gathered together, and this offering is made as a response to God’s help and faithfulness. The verse highlights the scale of their offering and the communal nature of their worship at this moment in Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 15:11

  • "offered" (זָבַח, zāvaḥ): This word means to sacrifice or slaughter, especially in a ritual sense. It emphasizes that these animals were given as an act of worship, not just as a meal or celebration.
  • "spoil" (שָׁלָל, shālāl): This word refers to goods or animals taken in battle. The verse clarifies that the offerings came from what they had gained in victory, not from their regular possessions.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the specific name for Israel’s God, underlining that the sacrifice was directed to the God of Israel, not to any other deity.
  • "brought" (בּוֹא, bō’): This verb means to bring or carry. It shows that the people physically brought the animals from the spoil to the place of worship, making the act intentional and deliberate.

Why 2 Chronicles 15:11 matters

  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 helps clarify that the offerings were not just routine sacrifices, but a special act of thanksgiving using the spoils of victory, which underscores the people’s recognition of God’s role in their success.
  • The verse connects to the broader story of King Asa’s reforms and the people’s renewed commitment to God, showing a turning point where the nation publicly expresses loyalty and gratitude.
  • This verse also highlights the communal aspect of worship in ancient Israel, with the whole community participating together in a significant act of devotion.

Where else these words appear

“spoil” Hebrew H7998 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
  • 1 Samuel 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
  • Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

“offered” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 1:21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.