2 Chronicles 13:8

Authorized King James Version

And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעַתָּ֣ה׀
H6258
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#2
אַתֶּ֣ם
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#3
אֹֽמְרִ֗ים
H559
And now ye think
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
לְהִתְחַזֵּק֙
H2388
to withstand
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
#5
לִפְנֵי֙
H6440
the kingdom
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#6
מַמְלֶ֣כֶת
H4467
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#7
יְהוָ֔ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
בְּיַ֖ד
H3027
in the hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#9
בְּנֵ֣י
H1121
of the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
דָוִ֑יד
H1732
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#11
וְאַתֶּם֙
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#12
הָמ֣וֹן
H1995
multitude
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
#13
רָ֔ב
H7227
and ye be a great
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#14
וְעִמָּכֶם֙
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#15
עֶגְלֵ֣י
H5695
calves
a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)
#16
זָהָ֔ב
H2091
and there are with you golden
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#17
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
עָשָׂ֥ה
H6213
made
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#19
לָכֶ֛ם
H0
#20
יָֽרָבְעָ֖ם
H3379
which Jeroboam
jarobam, the name of two israelite kings
#21
לֵֽאלֹהִֽים׃
H430
you for gods
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show imperial and royal imagery familiar to subjects of ancient monarchies, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection