2 Chronicles 35:21
But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
But he sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
But he sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 27
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מַלְאָכִ֣ים׀
ambassadors
H4397
מַלְאָכִ֣ים׀
ambassadors
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
3 of 27
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
5 of 27
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
9 of 27
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָלֶ֨יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֨יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיּוֹם֙
I come not against thee this day
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
I come not against thee this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בֵּ֣ית
but against the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
but against the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
16 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מִלְחַמְתִּ֔י
wherewith I have war
H4421
מִלְחַמְתִּ֔י
wherewith I have war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
17 of 27
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
מֵֽאֱלֹהִ֥ים
for God
H430
מֵֽאֱלֹהִ֥ים
for God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 27
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
לְבַֽהֲלֵ֑נִי
me to make haste
H926
לְבַֽהֲלֵ֑נִי
me to make haste
Strong's:
H926
Word #:
20 of 27
to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously
חֲדַל
forbear
H2308
חֲדַל
forbear
Strong's:
H2308
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
מֵֽאֱלֹהִ֥ים
for God
H430
מֵֽאֱלֹהִ֥ים
for God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
23 of 27
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
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
24 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עִמִּ֖י
H5973
עִמִּ֖י
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
25 of 27
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
Cross References
2 Kings 18:25Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.2 Chronicles 25:19Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
Historical Context
Josiah's death at Megiddo (609 BCE) fighting Egypt ended Judah's last great reform era. His failure to discern God's word through an unexpected source (pagan king) warns against assuming God only speaks through expected channels. This hastened Judah's decline toward exile.
Questions for Reflection
- Are you willing to hear God's truth even when it comes through unexpected or unlikely sources?
- What presumptuous decisions might you be making by failing to discern God's will in situations where you're confident of your own rightness?
Analysis & Commentary
Pharaoh Necho's warning to Josiah: 'But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.' Remarkably, this pagan king claims God commanded his campaign and warns Josiah not to fight against God. The Chronicler notes Josiah 'would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God' (35:22). This teaches that God can speak even through pagan sources, and presumptuous disobedience - even from godly people - leads to destruction. Josiah's tragic death demonstrates that past faithfulness doesn't immunize against foolish decisions.