But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.

2 CHRONICLES 28:9KJV
Know the Bible

2 Chronicles 28:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 28:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 28:9 describes how a prophet named Oded confronted the Israelite army as they returned to Samaria with captives from Judah. Oded told them that although God allowed Judah to be defeated because of His anger, the Israelites had killed with such fury that their violence reached up to heaven.

The verse takes place after Israel defeated Judah in battle and took many captives. Oded, called a "prophet of the LORD," met the returning army and warned them that their excessive rage in killing went beyond what God intended. This sets the stage for a call to mercy and self-examination among the victors.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 28:9

  • "prophet" (נָבִיא, navi): This word means someone who speaks on behalf of God, emphasizing that Oded’s message carries divine authority, not just personal opinion.
  • "rage" (זַעַף, za‘af): This word refers to intense anger or fury. The verse highlights that the violence was not just military action, but was carried out with a level of anger that was offensive even to God.
  • "reacheth up" (נָגַע, naga‘): This word often means "to touch" or "to reach." Here, it paints a vivid picture of the Israelites’ rage being so great that it metaphorically "touched" heaven, stressing the seriousness of their actions.

Why 2 Chronicles 28:9 matters

  • The verse clarifies that while God allowed Judah’s defeat, He did not approve of the excessive cruelty shown by the victors, showing a distinction between divine judgment and human overreach.
  • Oded’s intervention reveals that God’s prophets sometimes challenge their own people, not just foreign nations, calling them to account for their actions.
  • This moment sets up the following verses, where the Israelites are urged to show compassion to their captives, highlighting a theme of mercy even in times of conflict.

Where else these words appear

“Oded” Hebrew H5752 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 15:1 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
  • 2 Chronicles 15:8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.

“rage” Hebrew H2197 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 16:10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
  • Proverbs 19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
  • Jonah 1:15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

“wroth” Hebrew H2534 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
  • Psalms 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
  • Lamentations 4:11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.