Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 27:4
He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text records King Jotham's construction activity immediately after his repairs to the temple's Upper Gate and the Ophel wall. The narrative places his projects in the hill country and wooded regions of Judah before shifting to his military campaign against Ammon.
The words — The Hebrew בָּנָה (ba.Nah, "he built") is repeated to emphasize repeated construction. The terms בִּירָנִיּוֹת (bi.ra.ni.Yot, "fortresses") and מִגְדָּלִים (mig.da.Lim, "towers") specify the defensive structures erected in the hill country of Judah and its forests.
The thread — The text notes this construction pattern parallels Rehoboam's defensive city building in Judah (2 Chronicles 11:5) and Asa's wall-and-tower projects (2 Chronicles 14:7). The mention of the hill country of Judah connects to Joshua 14:12, while the sequence of infrastructure followed by tribute mirrors the Chronicler's factual record of royal policy.
Why it lands — The verse states a king's administrative and military preparations without moral commentary. It requires the reader to observe how the text treats urban fortification as a neutral historical fact preceding tribute collection and subsequent campaigns.
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 built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
Cross-references
- Joshua 14:12 Now therefore give me this hill country that the LORD promised me on that day, for you yourself heard then that the Anakim were there, with great and fortified cities. Perhaps with the LORD’s help I will drive them out, as the LORD has spoken.”
- 2 Chronicles 11:5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 14:7 So he said to the people of Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.
- 2 Chronicles 26:9 Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and the angle in the wall, and he fortified them.
- Luke 1:39 In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,