BibleWord.ai› Bible› 2 Chronicles› Chapter 13› Verse 8

2 Chronicles 13:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Chronicles 13:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of Jehovah in the hand of the sons of David; and ye are a great multitude, and there are with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of Jehovah in the hand of the sons of David; and ye are a great multitude, and there are with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods.
2 Chronicles 13:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Chronicles 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Ought ye not to know that Jehovah, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
6Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord.
7And there were gathered unto him worthless men, base fellows, that strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted, and could not withstand them.
8And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of Jehovah in the hand of the sons of David; and ye are a great multitude, and there are with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods.
9Have ye not driven out the priests of Jehovah, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made you priests after the manner of the peoples of [other] lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of [them that are] no gods.
10But as for us, Jehovah is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and [we have] priests ministering unto Jehovah, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites in their work:
11and they burn unto Jehovah every morning and every evening burnt-offerings and sweet incense: the showbread also [set they] in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of Jehovah our God; but ye have forsaken him.
← 2 Chronicles 13:72 Chronicles 13:9 →
← Full Chapter 13 2 Chronicles Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David, etc.] To oppose them, prevail over them, and get it out of their hands, which is delivered to them by the Lord, as the Targum: and ye be a great multitude; of which they boasted, and in which they trusted, being ten tribes to two, and in this army two to one: and [there are] with you golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods; or, “but f43 there are with you”, etc. which Abijah suggests would be so far from helping them, that they would be their ruin, they having, by the worship of them, provoked the Lord against them.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Golden calves - There is that among you which may damp your confidence: you worship those images which God abhors. 2 Chronicles 13:9”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:8-9 Abijah’s speech made two key points about the rebellion of the north: The north rejected the only legitimate king, and they rejected the only legitimate place of worship. The revolt of the northerners, who chased away the proper priestly order, is sharply contrasted with “us” (13:10). Most objectionable was the worship of the calves and the role of the unauthorized priests.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the kingdom: Ch2 9:8; Psa 2:1-6; Isa 7:6, Isa 7:7, Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7; Luk 19:14, Luk 19:27 a great multitude: Ch2 14:9-11, Ch2 20:6, Ch2 20:12; Psa 33:16 with you golden: Ch2 11:15; Kg1 12:28, Kg1 14:9; Hos 8:5, Hos 8:6 2 Chronicles 13:9”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 2 Chronicles 13 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification