Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 28:11
Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives you took from your kinsmen, for the fierce anger of the LORD is upon you.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Oded addresses the Israelite military commanders and troops who have just defeated Judah and Jerusalem. He speaks at the precise moment they are preparing to enslave 200,000 captives from their kinsmen.
The words — The imperative וְ/הָשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ (ve./ha.Shi.vu) commands "and return," directly linked to הַ/שִּׁבְיָ֔ה (ha./shiv.Yah) meaning "the group of captives." The conjunction כִּ֛י (ki) establishes the ground for the command: "for" the fierce anger of the LORD is upon them.
The thread — This command to release kinsmen captives aligns with the mercy principle in James 2:13 and mirrors the post-exilic reckoning with unauthorized alliances in Ezra 10:14. The narrative thread begins with the captivity count in 2 Chronicles 28:8 and the warning in 28:10.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to halt exploitation the moment divine judgment is already active against the oppressor. The text demands immediate restitution to kinsmen before any further military or political action proceeds.
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
Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.
Cross-references
- James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- 2 Chronicles 28:8 Then the Israelites took 200,000 captives from their kinsmen—women, sons, and daughters. They also carried off a great deal of plunder and brought it to Samaria.
- Ezra 10:14 Let our leaders represent the whole assembly. Then let everyone in our towns who has married a foreign woman come at an appointed time, together with the elders and judges of each town, until the fierce anger of our God in this matter is turned away from us.”
- Isaiah 58:6 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?
- Jeremiah 34:14 Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear.
- Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- Matthew 7:2 For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
- Hebrews 13:1 Continue in brotherly love.