2 Chronicles 13:21
2 Chronicles 13:21 in Multiple Translations
But Abijah grew strong, married fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
¶ But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
But Abijah waxed mighty, and took unto himself fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
But Abijah became great, and had fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
But Abijah grew stronger and stronger. He married fourteen wives and had twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
So Abiiah waxed mightie, and marryed foureteene wiues, and begate two and twentie sonnes, and sixteene daughters.
And Abijah strengtheneth himself, and taketh to him fourteen wives, and begetteth twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters,
But Abijah grew mighty and took for himself fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
But Abijah became mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
But Abia, being strengthened in his kingdom, took fourteen wives: and begot two and twenty sons, and sixteen daughters.
But Abijah became more powerful. He married 14 wives and had 22 sons and 16 daughters.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 13:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Chronicles 13:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּתְחַזֵּ֣ק
אֲבִיָּ֔הוּ
וַ/יִּ֨שָּׂא
ל֔/וֹ
נָשִׁ֖ים
אַרְבַּ֣ע
עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה
וַ/יּ֗וֹלֶד
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
וּ/שְׁנַ֨יִם֙
בָּנִ֔ים
וְ/שֵׁ֥שׁ
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
בָּנֽוֹת
וַ/יִּתְחַזֵּ֣ק
châzaq
H2388
to strengthen
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֲבִיָּ֔הוּ
ʼĂbîyâh
H29
Abijah
N-proper
וַ/יִּ֨שָּׂא
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
ל֔/וֹ
Prep | Suff
נָשִׁ֖ים
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fp
אַרְבַּ֣ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
וַ/יּ֗וֹלֶד
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
twenty
Adj
וּ/שְׁנַ֨יִם֙
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Conj | Adj
בָּנִ֔ים
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
וְ/שֵׁ֥שׁ
shêsh
H8337
six
Conj | Adj
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
בָּנֽוֹת
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 13:21
וַ/יִּתְחַזֵּ֣ק
châzaq
H2388
"to strengthen"
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make strong, strengthen 1c2) to make firm 1c3) to display strength 1c4) to make severe 1c5) to support 1c6) to repair 1c7) to prevail, prevail upon 1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support 1c9) to hold, contain 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to strengthen oneself 1d2) to put forth strength, use one's strength 1d3) to withstand 1d4) to hold strongly with
Usage: Occurs in 266 OT verses. KJV: aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. See also: Genesis 19:16; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 27:14.
אֲבִיָּ֔הוּ
ʼĂbîyâh
H29
"Abijah"
N-proper
Abijah was the name of several people in the Bible, including a king of Judah and a son of Samuel. The name Abijah means 'Jehovah is my father', showing devotion to God. It is mentioned in books like 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.
Definition: A woman living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.18.2; daughter of: Zechariah (H2148C); married to Ahaz (H0271); mother of: Hezekiah (H2396); also called Abijah at 2Ch.29.1; Another name of a.vi (אֲבִי "Abi" H0021) § Abia or Abiah or Abijah = "Jehovah is (my) father" 1) king of Judah, son and successor of Rehoboam 2) second son of Samuel 3) son of Jeroboam the first, king of Israel 4) son of Becher, a Benjamite 5) head of a priestly house (one of the 24 Levite groups) 6) head of a priestly house (after the exile) 7) wife of Hezron 8) mother of Hezekiah (cf H021)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: Abiah, Abijah. See also: 1 Samuel 8:2; 2 Chronicles 13:3; Nehemiah 12:17.
וַ/יִּ֨שָּׂא
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
ל֔/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
נָשִׁ֖ים
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
אַרְבַּ֣ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
וַ/יּ֗וֹלֶד
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
"twenty"
Adj
This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.
Definition: twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). See also: Genesis 6:3; 1 Kings 9:14; Ezra 2:19.
וּ/שְׁנַ֨יִם֙
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
בָּנִ֔ים
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וְ/שֵׁ֥שׁ
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
בָּנֽוֹת
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 13:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Chronicles 13:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 13:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 13:21
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 13:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 13:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 13:21
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 13:21
Context — Civil War against Jeroboam
19Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured some cities from him: Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron, along with their villages.
20Jeroboam did not again recover his power during the days of Abijah, and the LORD struck him down and he died.
21But Abijah grew strong, married fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
22Now the rest of the acts of Abijah, along with his ways and his words, are written in the Treatise of the Prophet Iddo.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 9:5 | He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 5:12–13 | And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. |
| 3 | Judges 10:4 | He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys. And they had thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth-jair. |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 11:21 | Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than all his wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he was the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. |
| 5 | Judges 8:30–31 | Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives. His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. |
2 Chronicles 13:21 Summary
This verse tells us that Abijah, a king of Judah, became strong and had a large family with many wives and children. While having a big family might seem like a sign of success, it's also important to remember that true strength comes from trusting in God, as seen in Psalm 20:7-8. Abijah's story reminds us to focus on building a relationship with God, rather than just trying to build our own legacy or wealth (1 Timothy 6:10). By trusting in God's power and provision, we can find true strength and success in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Abijah have so many wives and children?
According to 2 Chronicles 13:21, Abijah had fourteen wives, twenty-two sons, and sixteen daughters, which may have been a demonstration of his wealth and power, as seen in other biblical accounts such as 1 Kings 11:3 and Deuteronomy 17:17.
Was it acceptable for Abijah to have multiple wives?
While the Bible does not explicitly condemn polygamy, it presents monogamy as the ideal, as seen in Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31, and often highlights the problems that arose from polygamous relationships, such as in 1 Samuel 1:1-8 and 1 Kings 11:1-8.
How did Abijah's family life affect his relationship with God?
The Bible does not provide a direct link between Abijah's family life and his relationship with God in this verse, but it does emphasize the importance of following God's commands and trusting in Him, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-7.
What can we learn from Abijah's life about trusting God?
Abijah's story, including his military victories and family life, serves as a reminder to trust in God's power and provision, as seen in 2 Chronicles 13:12-18 and Psalm 20:7-8, rather than relying solely on human strength or wealth.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I prioritize my own strength and wealth over trusting in God's power and provision?
- How can I learn to balance my desires for family and success with a deepening trust in God's plan for my life?
- In what ways do I seek to build my own legacy, and how can I instead focus on building a legacy that honors God, as seen in Psalm 112:1-3?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to surrender my own strength and abilities to God's power and guidance, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 13:21
But Abijah waxed mighty,.... In his kingdom, increasing in riches and numbers, power and authority, and in his family: and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons and sixteen daughters;
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 13:21
Not now after this victory, for he died presently after it; but in the whole time of his life, before he was king and afterward.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 13:21
2 Chronicles 13:21 But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.Ver. 21. And married fourteen wives.] Some of them before he came to the kingdom. Junius well readeth it, He had married fourteen wives. This was against an express law, besides the utter unlawfulness of polygamy, whereof before. But many great men make little of laws; it is plea sufficient for their offence that it is - “ facinus maioris abollae. ”
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 13:21
(21) But Abijah waxed mighty.—And Abijah strengthened himself, after his life-and-death struggle with Jeroboam. (See on 2 Chronicles 12:13.) And married fourteen wives, and begat twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.—Abijah reigned only three years altogether. He must, therefore, have had most of these wives and children before his accession. (2 Chronicles 11:21-23 may be said to imply this; see Note on 2 Chronicles 11:23.) A stop should be placed after the first clause, thus: “And Abijah strengthened himself. And he took him fourteen wives, and begat twenty-two sons,” etc. The two facts are merely placed side by side, though a tacit contrast may be suggested between the number of Abijah’s off-spring, and the speedy extirpation of the house of Jeroboam.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 13:21
Verse 21. Married fourteen wives] Probably he made alliances with the neighbouring powers, by taking their daughters to him for wives.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 13:21
21, 22. The Epilogue of Abijah’s Reign 21. married] R.V. took unto himself. The many wives (fourteen) are mentioned here as a symbol of the wealth and state of Abijah.