Joram's Wicked Reign
2 Chronicles 21
Joram succeeds his father Josaphat, kills his own brothers, and walks in the evil ways of the house of Achaab, so that Edom revolts against Juda, a written message from the prophet Eliu pronounces judgment on him, and he dies of a prolonged and painful disease without the honor given to his fathers.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonWHEN Josaphat slept with his fathers, he was buried in the city of David, and his son Joram reigned in his stead.
BrentonAnd Josaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Joran his son reigned in his stead.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκοιμήθη Ἰωσαφὰτ μετὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν πόλει Δαυίδ. Καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν Ἰωρὰν υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVNow Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
JPSAnd Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
2
ThomsonNow he had six brothers sons of Josaphat, namely, Azarias and Jeiel, and Zacharias and Azarias, and Michael and Zaphatias. All these were sons of Josaphat king of Juda.
BrentonAnd he had brothers, the six sons of Josaphat, Azarias, and Jeiel, and Zacharias, and Azarias, and Michael, and Zaphatias: all these were the sons of Josaphat king of Juda.
GreekΚαὶ αὐτῷ ἀδελφοὶ υἱοὶ Ἰωσαφὰτ ἓξ, Ἀζαρίας, καὶ Ἰεϊὴλ, καὶ Ζαχαρίας, καὶ Ἀζαρίας, καὶ Μιχαὴλ, καὶ Ζαφατίας· πάντες οὗτοι υἱοὶ Ἰωσαφὰτ βασιλέως Ἰούδα.
KJVAnd he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
JPSAnd he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariahu, and Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
3
ThomsonAnd their father gave them many gifts, silver and gold, and arms and walled cities in Judea, and gave the kingdom to Joram, because he was his first born.
BrentonAnd their father gave them many gifts, silver, and gold, and arms, together with fortified cities in Juda: but he gave the kingdom to Joram, for he was the first-born.
GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν δόματα πολλὰ, ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον, καὶ ὅπλα μετὰ τῶν πόλεων τετειχισμένων ἐν Ἰούδα, καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν ἔδωκε τῷ Ἰωρὰμ, ὅτι οὗτος ὁ πρωτότοκος.
KJVAnd their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
JPSAnd their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the first-born.
4
ThomsonAnd when Joram attained the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he slew all his brothers with the sword, and some of the chiefs of Israel.
BrentonAnd Joram entered upon his kingdom, and strengthened himself, and slew all his brothers with the sword, and some of the princes of Israel.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη Ἰωρὰμ ἐπὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐκραταιώθη, καὶ ἀπέκτεινε πάντας τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀρχόντων Ἰσραήλ.
KJVNow when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.
JPSNow when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.
5
ThomsonJoram was thirty-two years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
BrentonWhen he was thirty and two years old, Joram succeeded to his kingdom, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
GreekὌντος αὐτοῦ τριάκοντα καὶ δύο ἐτῶν, κατέστη Ἰωρὰμ ἐπὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ.
KJVJehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
JPSJehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6
ThomsonAnd he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and as the house of Achab did; for his wife was a daughter of Achab. But though he did evil in the sight of the Lord,
BrentonAnd he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Achaab; for a daughter of Achaab was his wife: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord:
GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐν ὁδῷ βασιλέων Ἰσραὴλ, ὡς ἐποίησεν οἶκος Ἀχαὰβ, ὅτι θυγάτηρ Ἀχαὰβ ἦν αὐτοῦ γυνὴ, καὶ ἐποίησε τὸ πονηρὸν ἐναντίον Κυρίου.
KJVAnd he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
JPSAnd he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife; and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
7
Thomsonthe Lord would not utterly destroy the house of David, because of the covenant which he had made with David, and because he had promised him to give him and his sons a lamp continually.
Brentonnevertheless the Lord would not utterly destroy the house of David, because of the covenant which he made with David, and as he said to him that he would give a light to him and his sons for ever.
GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἐβούλετο Κύριος ἐξολοθρεῦσαι τὸν οἶκον Δαυὶδ, διὰ τὴν διαθήκην ἣν διέθετο τῷ Δαυὶδ, καὶ ὡς εἶπεν αὐτῷ δοῦναι αὐτῷ λύχνον καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας.
KJVHowbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
JPSHowbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and as He promised to give a lamp to him and to his children alway.
8
ThomsonIn those days Edom revolted from Juda, and set up a king over themselves.
BrentonIn those days Edom revolted from Juda, and they made a king over themselves.
GreekἘν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἀπέστη Ἐδὼμ ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἰούδα, καὶ ἐβασίλευσαν ἐφʼ ἑαυτοὺς βασιλέα.
KJVIn his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
JPSIn his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.
9
ThomsonAnd though Jordan went with the chiefs and all the cavalry with him; and though it happened that he arose by night and smote Edom who had surrounded him, and the commanders of the chariots, and the people fled to their tents,
BrentonAnd Joram went with the princes, and all the cavalry with him: and it came to pass that he arose by night, and smote Edom that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots, and the people fled to their tents.
GreekΚαὶ ᾤχετο Ἰωρὰμ μετὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ ἵππος μετʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐγένετο καὶ ἠγέρθη νυκτὸς, καὶ ἐπάταξεν Ἐδὼμ τὸν κυκλοῦντα αὐτὸν, καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῶν ἁρμάτων, καὶ ἔφυγεν ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὰ σκηνώματα αὐτῶν.
KJVThen Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
JPSThen Jehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him; and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots.
10
Thomsonyet Edom revolted from Juda, and have continued the revolt to this day. At this time also, Lomna revolted from his authority, because he had forsaken the Lord the God of his fathers.
BrentonAnd Edom revolted from Juda until this day. Then Lomna at that time revolted from under his hand, because he forsook the Lord God of his fathers.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστη ἀπὸ Ἰούδα Ἐδὼμ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης· τότε ἀπέστη Λομνὰ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ἀπὸ χειρὸς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐγκατέλιπε Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ.
KJVSo the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
JPSSo Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day; then did Libnah revolt at the same time from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers.
11
ThomsonFor he erected high places in the cities of Juda, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a-whoring, and led Juda astray.
BrentonFor he built high places in the cities of Juda, and caused the dwellers in Jerusalem to go a-whoring, and led Juda astray.
GreekΚαὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἐποίησεν ὑψηλὰ ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν Ἰούδα, καὶ ἐξεπόρνευσε τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἀπεπλάνησε τὸν Ἰούδαν.
KJVMoreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
JPSMoreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go astray, and drew Judah away.
12
ThomsonAnd there came to him in writing, a message from Elias the prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way of thy father Josaphat, nor in the ways of Asa, king of Juda;
BrentonAnd there came to him a message in writing from Eliu the prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of thy father David, Because thou hast not walked in the way of thy father Josaphat, nor in the ways of Asa king of Juda,
GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ ἐν γραφῇ παρὰ Ἠλιοὺ τοῦ προφήτου, λέγων, τάδε λέγει Κύριος Θεὸς Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρός σου, ἀνθʼ ὧν οὐκ ἐπορεύθης ἐν ὁδῷ Ἰωσαφὰτ τοῦ πατρός σου, καὶ ἐν ὁδοῖς Ἀσὰ βασιλέως Ἰούδα,
KJVAnd there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
JPSAnd there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying: ‘Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father: Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah;
13
Thomsonbut hast walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and caused Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a-whoring, as the house of Achab hath done, and hast slain thy brothers the sons of thy father, better men than thyself,
Brentonbut hast walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and hast caused Juda and the dwellers in Jerusalem to go a-whoring, as the house of Achaab caused Israel to go a-whoring, and thou hast slain thy brethren, the sons of thy father, who were better than thyself;
Greekκαὶ ἐπορεύθης ἐν ὁδοῖς βασιλέων Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐξεπόρνευσας τὸν Ἰούδαν καὶ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, ὡς ἐξεπόρνευσεν οἶκος Ἀχαὰβ, καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφούς σου υἱοὺς τοῦ πατρός σου τοὺς ἀγαθοὺς ὑπὲρ σὲ ἀπέκτεινας,
KJVBut hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father’s house, which were better than thyself:
JPSbut hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go astray, like as the house of Ahab made [Israel] to go astray; and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father’s house, who were better than thyself;
14
Thomsonbehold the Lord will smite thee with a great stroke in thy people, and in thy sons and in thy wives, and in all thy family;
Brentonbehold, the Lord shall smite thee with a great plague among thy people, and thy sons, and thy wives, and all thy store:
Greekἰδοὺ Κύριος πατάξει σε πληγὴν μεγάλην ἐν τῷ λαῷ σου, καὶ ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς σου, καὶ ἐν γυναιξί σου, καὶ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ ἀποσκευῇ σου.
KJVBehold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
JPSbehold, the LORD will smite with a great plague thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance;
15
Thomsonand thou thyself shalt be afflicted with a grievous sickness and disorder in thy bowels, until thy bowels shall come out with the disorder, from year to year.
Brentonand thou shalt be afflicted with a grievous disease, with a disease of the bowels, until thy bowels shall fall out day by day with the sickness.
GreekΚαὶ σὺ ἐν μαλακίᾳ πονηρᾷ, ἐν νόσῳ κοιλίας, ἕως οὗ ἐξέλθῃ ἡ κοιλία σου μετὰ τῆς μαλακίας ἐξ ἡμερῶν εἰς ἡμέρας.
KJVAnd thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
JPSand thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day.’
16
ThomsonSo the Lord stirred up against Joram, the Philistines and the Arabians, and those who bordered on the Ethiopeans;
BrentonSo the Lord stirred up the Philistines against Joram, and the Arabians, and those who bordered on the Æthiopians:
GreekΚαὶ ἐπήγειρε Κύριος ἐπὶ Ἰωρὰμ τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους, καὶ τοὺς Ἄραβας, καὶ τοὺς ὁμόρους τῶν Αἰθιόπων.
KJVMoreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
JPSAnd the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians that are beside the Ethiopians;
17
Thomsonand they came up against Juda and subdued them, and carried away all the family which they found in the king’s house, with his sons and his daughters, so that he had not a son left except Ochozias the youngest of his sons.
Brentonand they went up against Juda, and prevailed against them, and took away all the store which they found in the house of the king, and his sons, and his daughters; and there was no son left to him but Ochozias the youngest of his sons.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβησαν ἐπὶ Ἰούδαν, καὶ κατεδυνάστευον, καὶ ἀπέστρεψαν πᾶσαν τὴν ἀποσκευὴν ἣν εὗρον ἐν οἴκῳ τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐ κατελείφθη αὐτῷ υἱὸς, ἀλλʼ ἢ Ὀχοζίας ὁ μικρότατος τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
JPSand they came up against Judah, and broke into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
18
ThomsonAnd after all this, the Lord smote him with an incurable disorder in his bowels,
BrentonAnd after all these things the Lord smote him in the bowels with an incurable disease.
GreekΚαὶ μετὰ ταῦτα πάντα ἐπάταξεν αὐτὸν Κύριος εἰς τὴν κοιλίαν μαλακίαν ᾗ οὐκ ἔστιν ἰατρεία.
KJVAnd after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
JPSAnd after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
19
Thomsonwhich continued from year to year. And at the end of two years, his bowels came out with the disorder, and he died of a grievous sickness. And the people made no funeral procession for him, like the procession for his fathers.
BrentonAnd it continued from day to day: and when the time of the days came to two years, his bowels fell out with the disease, and he died by a grievous distemper: and his people performed no funeral, like the funeral of his fathers.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐξ ἡμερῶν εἰς ἡμέρας· καὶ ὡς ἦλθε καιρὸς τῶν ἡμερῶν ἡμέρας δύο, ἐξῆλθεν ἡ κοιλία αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῆς νόσου, καὶ ἀπέθανεν ἐν μαλακίᾳ πονηρᾷ· καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησεν ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ ἐκφορὰν, καθὼς ἐκφορὰν πατέρων αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
JPSAnd it came to pass, that in process of time, at the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness, and he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
20
ThomsonHe was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem, and departed unlamented, and was buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
BrentonHe was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed without honour, and was buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
GreekἮν τριάκοντα καὶ δύο ἐτῶν ὅτε ἐβασίλευσε, καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ· καὶ ἐπορεύθη οὐκ ἐν ἐπαίνῳ, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν πόλει Δαυὶδ, καὶ οὐκ ἐν τάφοις τῶν βασιλέων.
KJVThirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
JPSThirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed joyless; and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.