And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.

2 CHRONICLES 21:15KJV
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2 Chronicles 21:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 21:15 mean?

2 Chronicles 21:15 predicts that King Jehoram will suffer a severe and ongoing illness affecting his intestines, so serious that his bowels will eventually come out because of the disease, and this suffering will continue day after day. The verse describes a specific, graphic consequence for Jehoram’s actions, emphasizing the seriousness of his punishment.

This warning comes from a prophecy delivered by Elijah to King Jehoram of Judah, who had led his people into wrongdoing and idolatry. The verse uses vivid language to show the intensity and duration of the suffering Jehoram will face, highlighting that his punishment will be both painful and drawn out over time.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 21:15

  • "great" (רַב, rav, H7227): This word means "much" or "great," stressing the severity of the sickness Jehoram will experience, not just a mild illness.
  • "sickness" (חֳלִי, choli, H2483): This word refers to illness or disease in general, but here it is paired with "great" to show the seriousness.
  • "disease" (מַחֲלָה, machalah, H4245): This word often points to a specific affliction or plague, highlighting that Jehoram’s suffering is not random but a targeted, harsh disease.
  • "bowels" (מֵעֶה, me'eh, H4578): Used twice in this verse, this word literally means the intestines or inner organs, making the description of the illness very physical and specific.
  • "out" (יָצָא, yatsa, H3318): This word means "to go out" or "come out," making the phrase about the bowels falling out very literal and graphic.
  • "day" (יוֹם, yom, H3117): Repeated twice, this word means "day," emphasizing that the suffering is ongoing, happening day after day without relief.

Why 2 Chronicles 21:15 matters

  • The verse clears up that the punishment is not just spiritual or symbolic but involves real, physical suffering described in graphic terms, which would have been shocking to ancient readers.
  • The repeated mention of "day by day" underlines that Jehoram’s suffering is not a one-time event but a drawn-out ordeal, showing the seriousness of his wrongdoing.
  • This verse fits into a larger passage where Elijah warns Jehoram about the consequences of leading Judah away from faithfulness, connecting the king’s actions directly to his personal fate.

Where else these words appear

“disease” Hebrew H4245 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
  • Exodus 23:25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:

“sickness” Hebrew H2483 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:15 And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
  • 2 Kings 13:14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
  • Isaiah 1:5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

“bowels” Hebrew H4578 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
  • Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.