And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.

2 CHRONICLES 28:13KJV
Know the Bible

2 Chronicles 28:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 28:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 28:13 records leaders in Israel telling their returning soldiers not to bring Judean captives into Samaria, because Israel has already sinned against the LORD and bringing in more captives would only increase their guilt and provoke further divine anger. The verse highlights their recognition that their nation’s wrongdoing is already serious and that adding to it would worsen their situation.

In this scene, some leaders confront the soldiers who had captured fellow Israelites from Judah during a time of conflict. They warn that taking in these captives would be piling sin upon sin, using words like “offended” and “trespass” to stress the gravity of their actions. The leaders are deeply aware of the LORD’s (יהוה, Yahweh) anger (“fierce wrath”) against Israel and urge restraint to avoid making things worse.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 28:13

  • “Offended” (מַעַל, ma‘al) and “trespass” (מַעַל, ma‘al): Both words are the same in Hebrew and refer to a serious breach of trust or faithfulness, especially in a relationship with God. The repetition emphasizes the depth of Israel’s unfaithfulness.
  • “Fierce” (חֵמָה, chemah) and “wrath” (אַף, aph): “Chemah” means burning anger or intense fury, while “aph” literally means “nose” but is used for anger, often picturing flaring nostrils. Together, they stress just how intense God’s anger is at this point.
  • “Great” (רַב, rav): This word means “many” or “much,” underlining that the nation’s guilt is not minor but overwhelming.

Why 2 Chronicles 28:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that even in wartime, there were moral boundaries recognized by some leaders in Israel, who saw that mistreating fellow Israelites was a serious offense against God.
  • The language of “offended” and “trespass” shows that the issue was not just political or military, but deeply spiritual—a breach in their relationship with God.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme of 2 Chronicles 28, where both Israel and Judah face consequences for their unfaithfulness, and it highlights moments when conscience and repentance interrupt cycles of wrongdoing.

Where else these words appear

“captives” Hebrew H7633 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 21:11 And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
  • 2 Chronicles 28:5 Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:15 And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

“offended” Hebrew H819 · used in 17 verses

  • Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
  • Ezra 9:13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;

“fierce” Hebrew H2740 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Job 20:23 When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
  • Jeremiah 25:38 He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.