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 28:5KJV
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2 Chronicles 28:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 28:5 mean?

2 Chronicles 28:5 says that the LORD allowed King Ahaz of Judah to be defeated by the king of Syria, who took many people from Judah captive to Damascus, and also by the king of Israel, who killed many in a great slaughter. This verse shows that Judah suffered heavy losses and captivity because of decisions made by its king.

The verse is part of a historical account describing the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. The Chronicler explains that Ahaz’s actions led to military disaster: both Syria and Israel attacked Judah, causing great suffering. The text emphasizes that these events happened because the LORD (H3068) allowed Judah to be handed over to its enemies, highlighting a cause-and-effect relationship between Ahaz’s choices and Judah’s fate.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 28:5

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH, H3068): This is the personal name for the God of Israel, stressing that it was specifically Israel’s God who allowed these events, not just fate or chance.
  • "delivered" (נָתַן, nathan, H5414): This word means to hand over or give. The verse uses it twice, underlining that Judah’s defeat was not just military weakness but something God actively allowed.
  • "hand" (יָד, yad, H3027): In Hebrew, being delivered "into the hand" of someone means being put under their power or control. This phrase shows total defeat and loss of control.
  • "captives" (שְׁבִי, shevi, H7633): This word refers to people taken away as prisoners of war, emphasizing the suffering and loss experienced by Judah.

Why 2 Chronicles 28:5 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Judah’s defeat was not random but was seen as a direct result of the LORD’s decision, connecting the nation’s fate to its king’s actions.
  • By mentioning both Syria and Israel as conquerors, the verse shows that Judah was attacked from multiple sides, highlighting the seriousness of the crisis.
  • This verse sets up the rest of the chapter, which details the consequences of Ahaz’s reign and the suffering of the people, making it clear that leadership choices had real, devastating effects on the nation.

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 28:11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.
  • 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.

“Damascus” Hebrew H1834 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
  • 2 Kings 16:10 And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.
  • Isaiah 17:3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.

“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.

“slaughter” Hebrew H4347 · used in 46 verses

  • Leviticus 26:21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
  • 1 Samuel 19:8 And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.
  • Isaiah 27:7 Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?