Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 25:19
You have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jehoash king of Israel addresses Amaziah king of Judah immediately after Amaziah's campaign against Edom, warning him against marching against Israel.
The words — The Hebrew לְ/הַכְבִּ֑יד (le./hakh.Bid) literally means "to become heavy," describing the weight of Amaziah's self-exaltation. The phrase וּ/נְשָׂאֲ/ךָ֥ לִבְּ/ךָ֖ (u./ne.sa.'a./Kha li.be./Kha) translates to "and your heart has lifted itself," indicating the physical posture of pride following the claim "I have struck down Edom" (הִכִּ֙יתָ֙ אֱד֔וֹם).
The thread — This warning against pride echoes Deuteronomy 8:14 regarding a heart becoming proud after success, and aligns with 2 Chronicles 26:16 and 32:25 where royal arrogance provokes divine judgment.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that military victory does not justify defying established boundaries or provoking unnecessary conflict. It requires the reader to examine whether personal triumph breeds self-exaltation rather than submission to divine authority.
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
Thou 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?
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 26:16 But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
- 2 Chronicles 32:25 But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
- Deuteronomy 8:14 then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
- 2 Chronicles 35:21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty, and God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!”
- Proverbs 13:10 Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Proverbs 18:6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
- Proverbs 20:3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
- Proverbs 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
- Proverbs 28:25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.