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2 Chronicles 21:11

2 Chronicles 21:11 in Multiple Translations

Jehoram had also built high places on the hills of Judah; he had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.

Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.

Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot, and led Judah astray.

And more than this, he made high places in the mountains of Judah, teaching the people of Jerusalem to go after false gods, and guiding Judah away from the true way.

He also built high places on the mountains of Judah; he made the people of Jerusalem unfaithful to God and led Judah away from him.

Moreouer hee made hie places in the mountaines of Iudah, and caused the inhabitants of Ierusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Iudah thereto.

also, he hath made high places in the mountains of Judah, and causeth the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit whoredom, and compelleth Judah.

Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem play the prostitute, and led Judah astray.

Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah to do the same .

Moreover he built also high places in the cities of Juda, and he made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and Juda to transgress.

On the hilltops in Judah he had also built shrines to worship idols, and had caused the people of Judah to stray away from Yahweh by worshiping foreign gods.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 21:11

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 21:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB גַּם ה֥וּא עָשָֽׂה בָמ֖וֹת בְּ/הָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וַ/יֶּ֨זֶן֙ אֶת יֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם וַ/יַּדַּ֖ח אֶת יְהוּדָֽה
גַּם gam H1571 also DirObjM
ה֥וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron
עָשָֽׂה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בָמ֖וֹת bâmâh H1116 high place N-fp
בְּ/הָרֵ֣י har H2022 mountain Prep | N-mp
יְהוּדָ֑ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 Judah N-proper
וַ/יֶּ֨זֶן֙ zânâh H2181 to fornicate Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י yâshab H3427 to dwell V-Qal
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם Yᵉrûwshâlaim H3389 Jerusalem N-proper
וַ/יַּדַּ֖ח nâdach H5080 to banish Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
יְהוּדָֽה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 Judah N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 21:11

גַּם gam H1571 "also" DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
ה֥וּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
עָשָֽׂה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
בָמ֖וֹת bâmâh H1116 "high place" N-fp
A high place or elevation, often referring to a cultic platform or mountain. In the Bible, it can also refer to battlefields or funeral mounds, as seen in various passages.
Definition: 1) high place, ridge, height, bamah (technical name for cultic platform) 1a) high place, mountain 1b) high places, battlefields 1c) high places (as places of worship) 1d) funeral mound?
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: height, high place, wave. See also: Leviticus 26:30; 1 Chronicles 16:39; Psalms 18:34.
בְּ/הָרֵ֣י har H2022 "mountain" Prep | N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
יְהוּדָ֑ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 "Judah" N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
וַ/יֶּ֨זֶן֙ zânâh H2181 "to fornicate" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י yâshab H3427 "to dwell" V-Qal
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם Yᵉrûwshâlaim H3389 "Jerusalem" N-proper
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.
וַ/יַּדַּ֖ח nâdach H5080 "to banish" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To banish or drive away, used in various contexts, such as expelling someone from a community, as seen in the story of David and Absalom.
Definition: 1) to impel, thrust, drive away, banish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to impel 1a2) to thrust away, banish 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be impelled 1b2) to be thrust out, be banished 1b2a) banished, outcast (participle) 1b3) to be driven away 1b4) to be thrust away, thrust aside 1c) (Pual) to be thrust into 1c1) thrust (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to thrust, move, impel 1d2) to thrust out, banish 1d3) to thrust away, thrust aside 1e) (Hophal) to be chased, be hunted 1e1) chased, hunted (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 51 OT verses. KJV: banish, bring, cast down (out), chase, compel, draw away, drive (away, out, quite), fetch a stroke, force, go away, outcast, thrust away (out), withdraw. See also: Deuteronomy 4:19; Isaiah 27:13; Psalms 5:11.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יְהוּדָֽה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 "Judah" N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.

Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 21:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Leviticus 20:5 then I will set My face against that man and his family and cut off from among their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves with Molech.
2 1 Kings 11:7 At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites.
3 Leviticus 17:7 They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons to which they have prostituted themselves. This will be a permanent statute for them for the generations to come.’
4 Deuteronomy 12:2–4 Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. You shall not worship the LORD your God in this way.
5 2 Kings 9:22 When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”
6 Revelation 2:20–22 But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds.
7 Psalms 106:39 They defiled themselves by their actions and prostituted themselves by their deeds.
8 Ezekiel 20:28 When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings.
9 Psalms 78:58 They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols.
10 Habakkuk 2:15 Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!

2 Chronicles 21:11 Summary

This verse tells us that King Jehoram did a very bad thing by building special places to worship idols, which is like cheating on God. He led the people of Judah to do the same, which made God very sad. We can learn from this that we should only worship the one true God, just like it says in Exodus 20:3-5. We should be careful not to prioritize anything or anyone above God, and instead, follow His commands and love Him with all our hearts, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'prostitute themselves' in 2 Chronicles 21:11?

In this context, it means to turn away from the one true God and worship idols, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:16 and Judges 2:10. This spiritual adultery is a serious offense against God.

Why did Jehoram build high places on the hills of Judah?

Jehoram built high places to facilitate the worship of idols, which was a direct rejection of God's command to worship only Him, as stated in Deuteronomy 12:2-3 and Exodus 20:3-5.

How did Jehoram lead Judah astray?

By building high places and promoting idol worship, Jehoram led the people of Judah away from the true God, just as the kings of Israel had done, as seen in 1 Kings 12:25-33 and 1 Kings 13:33-34.

What is the significance of the high places on the hills of Judah?

The high places were likely sites for idol worship, which was a common practice in the surrounding nations, as seen in Numbers 33:52 and Deuteronomy 12:2-3. This practice was a departure from God's commands and led to spiritual corruption.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I may be 'prostituting' myself to the world, and how can I turn back to God?
  2. In what ways can I, like Jehoram, lead others astray by my actions or example?
  3. How can I ensure that I am not building 'high places' in my own life, prioritizing idols over the one true God?
  4. What are some modern-day 'high places' that can distract me from worshiping God, and how can I avoid them?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 21:11

Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of Judah,.... Temples and altars for idols, which, being built on mountains, had the name of high places; and these Jehoram made or rebuilt were those

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 21:11

Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:11

He made high places; not to the Lord, whose sworn enemy he was, but to Baals, or false gods. Caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication; not only by his counsel and example, but, as it follows, by force, by threats and penalties.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:11

2 Chronicles 21:11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah [thereto].Ver. 11. Moreover he made high places.] He restored what his father and grandfather had destroyed, Heroum filii noxae. The reason whereof some give is this, that God may show that good children are his gift alone. And again, good men are oft so intent upon the public affairs in state and church, that they neglect their private, and give not their children so good education as they should. To commit fornication.] To worship Baal. See 2 Kings 9:22. This was the worse, because in Jerusalem, the holy city; and because he caused them to do it, partly by his allurements, and partly by affrightments; as did Julian also the apostate, qui persuadendo persecutus est. Quasi bellum Deo indicens. - Lavat.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:11

(11) Moreover he made.—There is a stress on the pronoun, “he made,” in contrast with Asa and Jehoshaphat, his worthier predecessors (2 Chronicles 17:6). Or he himself, and not the people. LXX., καὶγὰραὐτὸςἐποίησεν. From this point to the end of the reign the narrative is peculiar to the chronicler. High places.—For the worship of the foreign gods, as well as of the God of Israel. Mountains.—Many Heb. MSS., LXX., and Vulg., “cities” (a similar word); Syriac, “Moreover he made high places in the mountain of Judah, and caused the Nazarites of Jerusalem to drink wine, and scattered those who were of the house of Judah.” And caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication—i.e., the spiritual fornication of unfaithfulness to Jehovah, the only lawful spouse of Israel. (Comp. Hosea 2:5; Hosea 2:8; Hosea 2:13; Hosea 2:16-17; Hosea 2:19 :1 Chronicles 5:25.) And compelled.—Or, seduced (Deuteronomy 13:6; Deuteronomy 13:11). LXX., ἀπεπλάνησε.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:11

Verse 11. To commit fornication] That is, to serve idols. The Israelites were considered as joined to Jehovah as a woman is joined to her husband: when she associates with other men, this is adultery; when they served other gods, this was called by the same name, it was adultery against Jehovah. This is frequently the only meaning of the terms adultery and fornication in the Scriptures.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 21:11

11–15 (not in Kings). Jehoram’s Sins and Elijah’s written Denunciation 11. in the mountains] So Pesh., but ἐνπόλεσιν LXX. The difference between the two readings in Heb. is very small. caused … to commit fornication] R.V. made … to go a whoring, i.e. led … into idolatry according to a much used metaphor of Scripture. compelled Judah thereto] Lit., banished Judah, i.e. from the presence of Jehovah (a second metaphor meaning the same as the last, but on the negative side; “lead into idolatry” = “lead away from Jehovah”).

Barnes' Notes on 2 Chronicles 21:11

See 2 Kings 8:18. The writer of Kings only tells us in general terms that Jehoram “did evil in the sight of the Lord,” and “walked in the way of the house of Ahab.” Here, in 2 Chronicles 21:11, 2

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:11

11. He made high places in the mountains — Thus undoing, or setting at naught, the labours of his pious father, who had exerted himself with marked though not complete success, (compare 2 Chronicles

Sermons on 2 Chronicles 21:11

SermonDescription
F.B. Meyer Is It Peace, Jehu? and He Answered, by F.B. Meyer F.B. Meyer explores the concept of true peace, emphasizing that it cannot exist alongside the distractions and sins represented by Jezebel in our lives. He warns against the superf
David Wilkerson The Laodicean Deception by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of heeding the warnings and instructions given by God. He highlights the dangers of gossip and racial prejudice, which have b
Vance Havner Knowing What to Do by Vance Havner In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the overall purpose of God in history when discussing current events in the light of the Bible. He uses the
Alan Cairns Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 2 by Alan Cairns This sermon emphasizes the need for a visitation of the Spirit of God in the midst of corruption and wickedness, calling for prophetic voices to speak truth and uphold the gospel.
Dwight Pentecost Apostasy in the Church by Dwight Pentecost In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of apostasy and its origin. He emphasizes that faith cannot be blind and that it is based on knowledge and understanding of the wo
Carter Conlon The Vow of the Nicolaitan Bride by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of going beyond personal convenience in order to fulfill God's plans for our lives. He quotes the scripture where Paul urges
Zac Poonen Through the Bible - 2 Kings by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our debt of love towards one another, as stated in Romans 13:8. He highlights the idea that we owe it to others

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