What Does 2 Chronicles 28:13 Mean in the King James?
And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew calls bringing in the captives an added liability: its words for “offended” and “trespass” share one guilt-root, while “sin” comes from another.
THE MEANING
The verse speaks to the moment when wrong is already present: bringing the captives in would add to it. It keeps the captive people and the intended harm in view, and leaves the fierce anger against Israel explicit.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Past wrongdoing does not make another injury inconsequential; adding harm deepens the guilt.
THE ROOT
אַשְׁמָה
ashmah
GROWS FROM
אשם
To incur guilt or be liable.
“offended; trespass” in this verse is ashmah. The English varies among “offended” and “trespass,” but the Hebrew repeats the guilt-root and says that guilt is great. Bringing in the captives would add to the liability already named.
ALSO GROWS
ʾāšēm: Guilty or liable.
אָשֵׁם
This form shows the root can name the person who bears the liability, not just the offense.
ʾāšām: Guilt, or in sacrificial contexts, a guilt offering.
אָשָׁם
The branch keeps the repeated language of guilt connected to the burden that the verse says must not be enlarged.
חַטֹּאתֵינוּ
ḥaṭṭōʾtênû
GROWS FROM
חטא
To miss or err.
The word translated “sins” does not come from the repeated guilt-root. The verse holds a missed mark beside liability, then says the proposed action would add to both.
ALSO GROWS
ḥāṭāʾ: To miss or go wrong.
חָטָא
It reveals the distinct sense carried by “sins” in the verse.
ḥaṭṭāʾt: A missing or sin, and in sacrificial language, an offering for the missing.
חַטָּאת
This branch shows how the word can name both the wrong and a response associated with it.
THE PATTERN
Refusing to multiply harm can interrupt its reach even while its consequences remain.
And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.THE THREAD
And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.The same guilt-root appears in “We are verily guilty,” beside the memory of a brother’s anguish and an unheard plea. It opens the repeated liability language here: harm to a captive is part of what the guilt names, and bringing captives further would deepen it.
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