What Does 2 Chronicles 18:15 Mean in the King James?

And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

2 Chronicles 18:15 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

He invokes the LORD’s name to demand truth, yet the truth he demands is anchored in the LORD’s nature, not his own authority.

THE MEANING

This verse speaks to the moment when truth is demanded under pressure: the speaker stands within the LORD’s nature. A person can insist on honesty while still wanting the answer to agree with them; truth remains reliable whether it is welcomed or not.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie this undoes is that demanding candor proves a willingness to receive it; the demand and the welcome are not the same.

THE ROOT

אֱמֶת

ʾemet

GROWS FROM

אמן

To be firm, steady, or reliable.

The Hebrew word-family connects truth with firmness and trustworthiness: truth is something a person can lean on, not only a statement that is correct. This makes the king’s demand sharper: truth has its footing in the LORD’s nature, beyond the wishes of the one asking.

ALSO GROWS

emunah: Steadfastness; trust.

אֱמוּנָה

This branch links truth with what can be trusted and relied upon.

amen: Firm; true; so be it.

אָמֵן

This familiar response carries the sense of affirming something as dependable.

THE PATTERN

Truth remains anchored in what is true even when a hearer demands, resists, or rejects it.

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:19 · KJVTruth endures because it has a firm footing, while falsehood cannot hold its place.

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:28 · KJVThe true word is distinguished from what cannot nourish, whether or not both are spoken as messages.

And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

John 8:45 · KJVTruth can be spoken plainly and still be refused by the one who hears it.

THE THREAD

And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

Isaiah 7:9 · KJV

The Hebrew root ⁨אמן⁩ (ʾāman, “be firm, steady”) echoes in the words rendered “believe” and “be established.” That sound-link lets truth here resonate as something reliable enough to stand on, not merely a statement that wins an argument.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us