And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

2 CHRONICLES 21:17KJV
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2 Chronicles 21:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 21:17 mean?

2 Chronicles 21:17 describes how invading enemies entered Judah, broke into the king’s palace, and took away everything valuable, including the king’s sons and wives, leaving only his youngest son, Jehoahaz. This verse shows the extent of the disaster that struck King Jehoram’s household as a result of the invasion.

The setting is the reign of King Jehoram of Judah. Foreign raiders, likely from the Philistines and Arabs, attacked Jerusalem and looted the royal palace. The verse emphasizes that all of Jehoram’s sons except Jehoahaz were taken, highlighting the severe blow to the royal family and the line of succession.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 21:17

  • "Brake" (בָּקַע, baqa‘): This word means to split, break open, or burst through. It suggests a violent entry, not just a simple opening of doors, showing the forcefulness of the invasion.
  • "Carried away" (שָׁבָה, shavah): This word is often used for taking captives. Here, it underlines that the king’s family and possessions were not just stolen but forcibly taken away as prisoners or spoils.
  • "Substance" (רְכוּשׁ, rekush): This word refers to possessions, wealth, or property. The verse is not just about people being taken, but also the loss of all valuables from the king’s house.
  • "Left" (שָׁאַר, sha’ar): This word means to remain or be left behind. The verse stresses that only one son, Jehoahaz, was left, emphasizing the completeness of the loss.

Why 2 Chronicles 21:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies the seriousness of the judgment against Jehoram, showing that the consequences affected not just him but his entire family and future.
  • The detail that only Jehoahaz was left sets up the next events in the story, as he becomes the sole heir to the throne, shaping the future of Judah’s royal line.
  • The verse connects to the wider theme in Chronicles of how unfaithfulness leads to national and personal disaster, making the historical consequences clear to the reader.

Where else these words appear

“Jehoahaz” Hebrew H3059 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Kings 10:35 And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 13:10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

“substance” Hebrew H7399 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
  • Genesis 36:7 For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

“away” Hebrew H7617 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • 1 Kings 8:47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
  • 2 Chronicles 28:17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

“brake” Hebrew H1234 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Isaiah 48:21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.