Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Chronicles 21:11

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:11

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:11

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot, and led Judah astray." — 2 Chronicles 21:11 (ASV)

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. Septuagint, καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἐποίησεν. 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 Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, and Vulgate read “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 fornicationi.e., the spiritual fornication of unfaithfulness to Jehovah, the only lawful spouse of Israel. (Hosea 2:8; Hosea 2:13; Hosea 2:16–17; Hosea 2:19; and 1 Chronicles 5:25.)

And compelled. —Or, seduced (Deuteronomy 13:6; Deuteronomy 13:11). Septuagint, ἀπεπλάνησε.