Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 21:11
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The historical record identifies Jehoram as the reigning king of Judah, placing his actions immediately after Edom’s and Libnah’s rebellion. The narrative occurs during his reign, following his forsaking of the Lord and preceding Elijah’s prophetic letter.
The words — The Hebrew noun בָּמוֹת (bamot) refers to the "high places" Jehoram constructed across Judah’s hills. The verb יָזַן (yazan) literally means "to prostitute," describing his active role in causing Jerusalem’s inhabitants to engage in idolatrous worship.
The thread — This construction of high places and national prostitution mirrors Solomon’s idolatry at 1 Kings 11:7. It directly invokes the covenant warning in Leviticus 20:5 that God will cut off both the idolater and those who follow.
Why it lands — The text states Jehoram built shrines, caused Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, and led Judah astray without adding moral commentary. It requires the reader to acknowledge that royal policy dictates national worship and triggers covenant enforcement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 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.’
- 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.
- Deuteronomy 12:2 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.
- 1 Kings 14:9 You have done more evil than all who came before you. You have proceeded to make for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me, and you have flung Me behind your back.
- 1 Kings 14:16 So He will give Israel over on account of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit.”
- 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?”
- 2 Kings 21:11 “Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin,
- 2 Chronicles 21:13 but you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and have caused Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab prostituted itself. You have also killed your brothers, your father’s family, who were better than you.
- 2 Chronicles 33:9 So Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.