Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.

2 CHRONICLES 21:11KJV
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2 Chronicles 21:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 21:11 mean?

2 Chronicles 21:11 says that King Jehoram built places of worship on the hills of Judah, leading the people of Jerusalem and the rest of Judah into unfaithfulness by encouraging them to worship other gods. The verse highlights that Jehoram actively pressured the people to follow these practices.

The verse is part of a record about King Jehoram’s reign over Judah, describing his actions after he became king. The writer is explaining to later readers how Jehoram’s choices led the nation away from their traditional worship of the God of Israel, using his authority to influence the people in a negative direction.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 21:11

  • "made" (עָשָׂה, ʿasah): This word means to make or do, showing that Jehoram was personally responsible for setting up these high places.
  • "places" (בָּמָה, bamah): This refers to elevated sites often used for worship, commonly associated with idol worship in the Old Testament.
  • "fornication" (זָנָה, zanah): This word often means unfaithfulness or prostitution, but in this context, it is used figuratively for spiritual unfaithfulness—turning away from God to worship other gods.
  • "compelled" (נָהַג, nahag): This means to drive or force, showing that Jehoram didn’t just suggest idol worship—he pressured or forced the people to take part.

Why 2 Chronicles 21:11 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jehoram’s influence was not passive; he actively led and pressured his people into practices that went against their faith.
  • It shows a turning point in Judah’s history, where a king’s personal choices had a widespread effect on the nation’s spiritual direction.
  • The use of words like "fornication" and "compelled" underlines the seriousness of Jehoram’s actions, framing them as both a betrayal of faith and an abuse of royal authority.

Where else these words appear

“compelled” 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.

“fornication” Hebrew H2181 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 34:31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
  • 1 Kings 3:16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
  • Ezekiel 16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;

“places” Hebrew H1116 · used in 92 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 2 Kings 15:35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.