2-Chronicles 13:21 - But Abijah grew mighty and took to

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of 2-Chronicles 13:21.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.

But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

But Abijah waxed mighty, and took unto himself fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

DRA

But Abia, being strengthened in his kingdom, took fourteen wives: and begot two and twenty sons, and sixteen daughters.

DBY

But Abijah strengthened himself, and took fourteen wives, and begot twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

WBT

But Abijah became mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

YLT

And Abijah strengtheneth himself, and taketh to him fourteen wives, and begetteth twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters,

BBE

But Abijah became great, and had fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

JPS

But Abijah waxed mighty, and took unto himself fourteen wives, and begot twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.

CPDV

And so Abijah, having been strengthened in his authority, took fourteen wives. And he procreated twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.

Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Adam Clarke's Commentary (1831)

Married fourteen wives - Probably he made alliances with the neighboring powers, by taking their daughters to him for wives.

John Gill's Exposition (1746-63)

But Abijah waxed mighty,.... In his kingdom, increasing in riches and numbers, power and authority, and in his family:
and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons and sixteen daughters; not after the above battle, nor since he began to reign; for he reigned but three years; but he, no doubt, married wives and had children before he came to the throne, as he might have others after.

C.F. Keil and F. Delitzsch's Comm. (1857-78)

Wives and children of Abijah. His death. - 2-Chronicles 13:21. While Jeroboam was not able to recover from the defeat he had suffered, Abijah established himself in his kingdom (יתחזּק, cf. 2-Chronicles 12:13), and took to himself fourteen wives. The taking of these wives is not to be regarded as later in time than his establishment of his rule after the victory over Jeroboam. Since Abijah reigned only three years, he must have already had the greater number of his wives and children when he ascended the throne, as we may gather also from 2-Chronicles 11:21-23. The ו consec. with ישּׂא serves only to connect logically the information as to his wives and children with the preceding, as the great increase of his family was a sign of Abijah's increase in strength, while Jeroboam's dynasty was soon extirpated.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes (1754-65)

Married - Not after this victory, for he died presently after it, but in the whole time of his life.

*More commentary available at chapter level.