What does 2 Chronicles 21:15 mean?
"And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day." - 2 Chronicles 21:15
The Bible verse 2 Chronicles 21:15, from the King James Version, states, "And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day."
This verse is part of the narrative concerning Jehoram, who was the son of King Jehoshaphat and one of the kings of Judah. The context of this verse is important to understanding its significance. In the preceding verses, we learn that Jehoram had led Judah into idolatry and had killed his brothers and some of the princes of Israel. This had displeased the Lord, and as a result, a letter from the prophet Elijah was sent to Jehoram, delivering the message of his impending punishment.
The specific punishment mentioned in 2 Chronicles 21:15 is a severe and painful sickness - a disease of the bowels - that would ultimately lead to his death. This ailment is described as being so debilitating that his bowels would fall out day by day. This is a significant and gruesome punishment, which reflects the severity of Jehoram's offenses and the consequences of his actions.
The themes present in this verse encompass the idea of divine judgment, the consequences of sin, and the sovereignty of God. It serves as a stark reminder of the serious nature of disobeying God's commandments and the repercussions that come with such disobedience.
One of the key themes in 2 Chronicles 21:15 is divine judgment. The verse illustrates the belief in the Old Testament that God punishes those who sin and rebel against Him. This punishment is not arbitrary but is instead a result of Jehoram's actions. The severity of the sickness reflects the gravity of his offenses and serves as a clear demonstration of God's righteous judgment.
A related theme is the consequences of sin. Jehoram's actions had significant ramifications, not only for himself but for the people of Judah as well. His idolatry and violence had led the nation astray, and as a result, he faced the consequences of his actions. This serves as a warning to others about the impact of one's choices and the responsibility that comes with being in a position of leadership.
The sovereignty of God is also evident in this verse. God is portrayed as the ultimate authority, and His judgment is final. Even though Jehoram was a king, he was not exempt from the consequences of his actions. This reflects the belief that no one is above God's law and that His justice will ultimately prevail.
The symbolism present in 2 Chronicles 21:15 can be interpreted in several ways. The disease of the bowels can be seen as a physical manifestation of the moral decay and corruption that had taken hold of Jehoram and his kingdom. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual sickness that had infected the nation due to their disobedience to God.
Furthermore, the imagery of Jehoram's bowels falling out day by day is a graphic and visceral depiction of his suffering. This symbolism serves to emphasize the severity and dehumanizing nature of his punishment, and perhaps also to elicit a sense of shock and horror at the consequences of his actions.
In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 21:15 offers a powerful and sobering depiction of divine judgment, the consequences of sin, and the sovereignty of God. It serves as a warning about the gravity of disobedience and the need for repentance and obedience to God's commandments. The verse's themes, context, and symbolism come together to convey a profound message about the implications of one's choices and the certainty of God's justice.
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2 Chronicles 21:15 Artwork
2 Chronicles 21:15 - "And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day."
"And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day." - 2 Chronicles 21:15
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Chronicles 21:9
1 Chronicles 15:21 - "And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel."
"¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?" - 2 Kings 15:21
2 Chronicles 20:21
1 Chronicles 2:15 - "Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:"
2 Chronicles 4:15 - "One sea, and twelve oxen under it."
2 Chronicles 4:21 - "And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;"
2 Kings 15:15 - "And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."
2 Chronicles 21:18 - "¶ And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease."
2 Chronicles 15:1 - "And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:"
2 Chronicles 15:19 - "And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa."
2 Chronicles 15:14 - "And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets."
2 Chronicles 17:15 - "And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand."
2 Chronicles 24:21 - "And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 23:21 - "And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword."
2 Chronicles 21:8 - "¶ In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king."
2 Kings 15:11 - "And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."
2 Chronicles 21:2 - "And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel."
2 Chronicles 13:21 - "¶ But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters."
2 Chronicles 21:16 - "¶ Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:"
2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 15:12 - "And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;"
2 Kings 15:6 - "And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 15:10 - "So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa."
2 Chronicles 33:21 - "¶ Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 2:15 - "Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:"
2 Chronicles 15:6 - "And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity."