And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

2 CHRONICLES 16:13KJV
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2 Chronicles 16:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 16:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 16:13 records the death of King Asa, stating that he "slept with his fathers" and died in the forty-first year of his reign. This verse marks the end of Asa's life and rule over the kingdom of Judah, closing the account of his reign with a simple historical note.

The book of 2 Chronicles was written to recount the history of the kings of Judah, and here it summarizes Asa's passing after a long reign. The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a respectful way of saying he died, and it links Asa to the generations before him. This verse serves as a transition point, moving the narrative from Asa's rule to what follows in Judah’s royal history.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 16:13

  • "slept" (שָׁכַב, shakav): This word is often used in the Hebrew Bible as a gentle or respectful way to describe death, especially for kings or ancestors, suggesting rest or being gathered to one's people.
  • "fathers" (אָב, av): In this context, "fathers" refers to Asa's ancestors, emphasizing continuity and connection with previous generations of Judah's leaders.
  • "died" (מָוֶת, mavet): This is the straightforward Hebrew word for physical death, making it clear that Asa’s life ended in a literal sense.
  • "one" (אֶחָד, echad), "fortieth" (אַרְבָּעִים, arba'im), "year" (שָׁנָה, shanah), "reign" (מָלַךְ, malakh): These words together specify the exact length of Asa’s rule, underlining the historical detail and the significance of a long reign.

Why 2 Chronicles 16:13 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Asa's death was natural and marks a peaceful end, using language that connects him with his ancestors rather than describing a violent or dishonorable death.
  • By stating the length of Asa's reign, the verse highlights his stability and longevity as a ruler, which was significant in a time when many kings had short or troubled reigns.
  • This verse serves as a narrative bridge, preparing the reader for the transition to the next king and the ongoing story of Judah’s monarchy.

Where else these words appear

“Asa” Hebrew H609 · used in 52 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:8 And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 16:10 And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.

“fortieth” Hebrew H705 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 5:13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.