New International Version But Necho sent messengers to him, saying, “What quarrel is there, king of Judah, between you and me? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.” New Living Translation But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message: “What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.” English Standard Version But he sent envoys to him, saying, “What have we to do with each other, king of Judah? I am not coming against you this day, but against the house with which I am at war. And God has commanded me to hurry. Cease opposing God, who is with me, lest he destroy you.” Berean Standard Bible But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty, and God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!” Berean Literal Bible And he sent to him messengers, saying, “And what have I to do with you, O king of Judah? Not against you this day, but against the house I am fighting, for God told me to hurry. Cease for yourself from God, who is with me, and He will not destroy you.” King James Bible But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. New King James Version But he sent messengers to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I have not come against you this day, but against the house with which I have war; for God commanded me to make haste. Refrain from meddling with God, who is with me, lest He destroy you.” New American Standard Bible But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What business do you have with me, King of Judah? I am not coming against you today, but against the house with which I am at war, and God has told me to hurry. For your own sake, stop interfering with God who is with me, so that He does not destroy you.” NASB 1995 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What have we to do with each other, O King of Judah? I am not coming against you today but against the house with which I am at war, and God has ordered me to hurry. Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not destroy you.” NASB 1977 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What have we to do with each other, O King of Judah? I am not coming against you today but against the house with which I am at war, and God has ordered me to hurry. Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, that He may not destroy you.” Legacy Standard Bible But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, O King of Judah? I am not coming against you today but against the house with which I am at war, and God has said for me to hurry. Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not bring you to ruin.” Amplified Bible But Neco sent messengers to Josiah, saying, “What business do we have with each other, O King of Judah? I am not coming against you today, but against the house with which I am at war, and God has ordered me to hurry. Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not destroy you.” Berean Annotated Bible But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah (praised)? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty, and God {Elohim} has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!” Christian Standard Bible But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, king of Judah? I have not come against you today but I am fighting another dynasty. God told me to hurry. Stop opposing God who is with me; don’t make him destroy you! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, king of Judah? I have not come against you today but I am fighting another dynasty. God told me to hurry. Stop opposing God who is with me; don’t make Him destroy you!” American Standard Version But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war; and God hath commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. Contemporary English Version Neco sent the following message to Josiah: I'm not attacking you, king of Judah! We're not even at war. But God has told me to quickly attack my enemy. God is on my side, so if you try to stop me, he will punish you. English Revised Version But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war; and God hath commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. GOD'S WORD® Translation But Neco sent messengers to Josiah to say, "What's your quarrel with me, king of Judah? I'm not attacking you. I've come to fight those who are at war with me. God told me to hurry. God is with me, so stop now or else he will destroy you." Good News Translation but Neco sent Josiah this message: "This war I am fighting does not concern you, King of Judah. I have not come to fight you, but to fight my enemies, and God has told me to hurry. God is on my side, so don't oppose me, or he will destroy you." International Standard Version But he sent messengers to him, who asked him, "What do we have in common, King of Judah? I am not here today opposing you. I am fighting the dynasty that is fighting me, and God has ordered me to hurry. For your own good, stop interfering with God, who is with me, and he won't destroy you!" NET Bible Necho sent messengers to him, saying, "Why are you opposing me, O king of Judah? I am not attacking you today, but the kingdom with which I am at war. God told me to hurry. Stop opposing God, who is with me, or else he will destroy you." New Heart English Bible But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, "What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I come not against you this day, but against the house with which I have war. God has commanded me to make haste. Beware that it is God who is with me, that he not destroy you." Webster's Bible Translation But he sent embassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house with which I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he may not destroy thee. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty, and God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!” World English Bible But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I come not against you today, but against the house with which I have war. God has commanded me to make haste. Beware that it is God who is with me, that he not destroy you.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he sends messengers to him, saying, “And what do I [have to do] with you, O king of Judah? I do not come against you today, but to the house with which I have war, and God commanded to hurry me; cease for yourself from God who [is] with me, and He does not destroy you.” Berean Literal Bible And he sent to him messengers, saying, “And what have I to do with you, O king of Judah? Not against you this day, but against the house I am fighting, for God told me to hurry. Cease for yourself from God, who is with me, and He will not destroy you.” Young's Literal Translation and he sendeth unto him messengers, saying, 'What -- to me and to thee, O king of Judah? not against thee do I come to-day, but unto the house with which I have war, and God said to haste me; cease for thee from God who is with me, and He doth not destroy thee.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will send messengers to him, saying, What to me and to thee, thou king of Judah? Not against thee this day, but against the house of my war: and God said to hasten me: cease to thyself from God who is with me, and he will not destroy thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut he sent messengers to him, saying: What have I to do with thee, O king of Juda? I come not against thee this day, but I fight against another house, to which God hath commanded me to go in haste : forbear to do against God, who is with me, lest he kill thee. Catholic Public Domain Version But he sent messengers to him, saying: “What is there between me and you, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today. Instead, I am fighting against another house, to which God instructed me to go promptly. Refrain from acting against God, who is with me, otherwise he may kill you.” New American Bible Neco sent messengers to him, saying: “What quarrel is between us, king of Judah? I have not come against you this day, for my war is with another kingdom, and God has told me to hasten. Do not interfere with God who is with me; let him not destroy you.” New Revised Standard Version But Neco sent envoys to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I am not coming against you today, but against the house with which I am at war; and God has commanded me to hurry. Cease opposing God, who is with me, so that he will not destroy you.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with you, O king of Judah? I am not coming against you this day, O king of Judah; for indeed I have not come to fight against you. The LORD has told you to frighten me; cease from meddling with God, who is with me, that he may not destroy you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he sent him Messengers and said to him: “What do I have with you, King of Yehuda? It was not against you I came today, King of Yehuda, because it was not against you I came to fight! LORD JEHOVAH told you to frighten me. Remove yourself from the God who is with me so that he will not destroy you!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But he sent ambassadors to him, saying: 'What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war; and God hath given command to speed me; forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that He destroy thee not.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And he sent messengers to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, O king of Juda? I am not come to-day to war against thee; and God has told me to hasten: beware of the God that is with me, lest he destroy thee. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Death of Josiah20After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt marched up to fight at Carchemish by the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to confront him. 21But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty. God told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!” 22Josiah, however, did not turn away from him; instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.… Cross References But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, 2 Kings 14:8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said. 1 Kings 20:2 Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, 2 Kings 19:9 Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “Look, he has set out to fight against you.” So Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? 2 Kings 3:13 Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” Judges 11:12 Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against my land?” 2 Samuel 16:10 But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’” I have not come against you today, 1 Samuel 26:23 May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. 1 Samuel 24:11 See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. 2 Kings 6:21-23 And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” / “Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” / So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again. but I am fighting another dynasty, 2 Samuel 3:1 Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 1 Kings 12:19 So to this day Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David. 1 Kings 14:30 There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their days. and God has told me to hurry. Genesis 19:15-16 At daybreak the angels hurried Lot along, saying, “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” / But when Lot hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters. And they led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them. Exodus 12:11 This is how you are to eat it: You must be fully dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. You are to eat in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover. 2 Samuel 5:24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” So stop opposing God, who is with me, Acts 5:39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Treasury of Scripture But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I come not against you this day, but against the house with which I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear you from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy you not. What 2 Samuel 16:10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 2 Kings 18:25 Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. Isaiah 36:10 And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. forbear thee 2 Chronicles 25:19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? Jump to Previous Ambassadors Cease Command Commanded Destroy Embassadors Envoys Forbear Haste House Hurry Judah Meddling Messengers Neco Opposing Ordered Sake Speed Stop Today War WherewithJump to Next Ambassadors Cease Command Commanded Destroy Embassadors Envoys Forbear Haste House Hurry Judah Meddling Messengers Neco Opposing Ordered Sake Speed Stop Today War Wherewith2 Chronicles 35 1. Josiah keeps a most solemn Passover20. He provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo 25. Lamentations for Josiah But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, Pharaoh Neco II ruled Egypt during Josiah’s final years and was leading his army north through the region. Rather than attack Judah, he attempted to prevent conflict through direct communication. 2Ki 14:8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel… “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? Neco saw no cause for war with Judah. Josiah had entered a conflict that did not concern his kingdom. 2Ki 3:13 Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel,… I have not come against you today, Egypt’s campaign was directed elsewhere, not against Jerusalem or Judah. Neco sought passage through the land rather than conquest. 1Sa 26:23 May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness… but I am fighting another dynasty, Egypt was moving to oppose Babylon and support the weakening Assyrian power. Control of the northern trade routes and former Assyrian territory was at stake. 2Sa 3:1 Now the war between the house of Saul… and God has told me to hurry. Neco declared that God had directed his campaign. His words were not merely political claims, since the account later identifies them as coming from God. Gen 19:15-16 At daybreak the angels hurried Lot along, saying,… So stop opposing God, who is with me, Josiah’s earlier faithfulness did not give him freedom to resist God’s purpose in this matter. God was working through Egypt’s king to accomplish His will. Act 5:39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them.… or He will destroy you!” The warning foretold the outcome at Megiddo, where Josiah was mortally wounded. His decision to oppose Neco brought a sudden end to his reign. Deu 28:63 Just as it pleased the LORD to make you prosper… Persons / Places / Events 1. NecoPharaoh Neco II, the king of Egypt, who was on a military campaign against the Assyrians and sought to pass through Judah without conflict. 2. Josiah The king of Judah, known for his religious reforms and dedication to God, who decided to confront Neco despite the warning. 3. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, ruled by Josiah, which was geographically situated between Egypt and Assyria. 4. God's Message The divine communication that Neco claimed to have received, instructing him to proceed with his campaign and warning Josiah not to interfere. Teaching Points Discernment in LeadershipJosiah's failure to heed Neco's warning serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's guidance and discerning His will, even when it comes from unexpected sources. The Danger of Presumption Assuming that one's own plans align with God's will without seeking confirmation can lead to disastrous consequences, as seen in Josiah's untimely death. God's Sovereignty in World Affairs The passage illustrates that God can use even foreign rulers and nations to accomplish His purposes, reminding us of His ultimate control over history. Listening to God's Warnings The importance of being attentive to God's warnings, regardless of the messenger, is crucial for avoiding unnecessary conflict and aligning with His plans. Humility in Decision-Making Josiah's account encourages leaders and believers to approach decisions with humility, recognizing that God's perspective may differ from our own. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 35:21?2. How does 2 Chronicles 35:21 illustrate God's sovereignty over non-Israelite kings? 3. What can we learn from Josiah's response to Pharaoh Neco's message? 4. How does Pharaoh Neco's warning relate to Romans 13:1 about authority? 5. How should we discern God's voice through unexpected sources, as in 2 Chronicles 35:21? 6. What steps can we take to avoid ignoring God's warnings in our lives? 7. Why did King Josiah ignore Pharaoh Neco's message from God in 2 Chronicles 35:21? 8. How does 2 Chronicles 35:21 challenge the belief in divine messages through unexpected sources? 9. What does 2 Chronicles 35:21 reveal about God's communication with non-Israelite leaders? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 35? (21) But . . . ambassadors.--And . . . messengers. What have I to do with thee?--Literally, what to me and to thee? ?? ???? ??? ???; (LXX.; and Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28). I come not against thee.--So the old versions. The Hebrew is, "not against thee--thee--to-day," The versions appear to have read 'att?h, "thee," with different points as 'otheh, "coming." (Comp. Syriac, othe 'n-, "come I.") But against the house . . . war.--A strange expression. (Comp. 1Chronicles 18:10.) Probably the reading indicated by 3 Esdr. 1:25 is right (??? ??? ??? ???????? ? ??????? ??? ????), "but against the Euphrates is my war" (Perath for beth). Josephus supports this. LXX. and Syriac omit; Vulg., "sed contra allain pugno domum." For God . . . haste.--And God . . . The Egyptian kings, like those of Israel, consulted their prophets before undertaking any expedition. So did the Assyrians, as abundantly appears from their inscriptions. So, too, we read on the Moabite stone, "Chemosh said unto me, Go; take Nebo . . . Go up against Horonaim, and take it." These facts sufficiently explain the text, without assuming that Necho had received an oracle from Jehovah, or was referring to the God of Israel. (Comp. Herod, ii. 158.) Verse 21. - Not against thee this day. Possibly the suggestion couched in these last two words may have been the opposite of agreeable to King Josiah. For God commanded me to make haste. The margin reading of the Revised Version seems preferable, both for the Hebrew text and the connection, hath given command to speed me. 2 Chronicles 35:21 records a genuine divine warning delivered through Pharaoh Neco. God had no quarrel with Judah that day; He was moving Egypt to check another empire. Josiah’s intrusion turned him into an obstacle to the Lord’s plan, and the same God who once partnered with Josiah’s reforms now opposed his presumption. The verse teaches that God can speak through unexpected mouths, that even the most faithful believer must remain teachable, and that resisting God’s revealed direction—however it comes—invites needless ruin.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Neco sentוַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח (way·yiš·laḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out messengers מַלְאָכִ֣ים ׀ (mal·’ā·ḵîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel to him, אֵלָ֣יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to saying, לֵאמֹר֩ ׀ (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “What is the issue between you and me, מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what O king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Judah? יְהוּדָ֗ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites I have not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no come against עָלֶ֨יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against you אַתָּ֤ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you today, הַיּוֹם֙ (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day but כִּ֚י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I am fighting מִלְחַמְתִּ֔י (mil·ḥam·tî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 4421: A battle, war another dynasty. בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house God וֵאלֹהִ֖ים (wê·lō·hîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative told אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say me to hurry; לְבַֽהֲלֵ֑נִי (lə·ḇa·hă·lê·nî) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | first person common singular Strong's 926: To tremble inwardly, be, alarmed, agitated, to hasten anxiously so stop חֲדַל־ (ḥă·ḏal-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle opposing God, מֵאֱלֹהִ֥ים (mê·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that is with me, עִמִּ֖י (‘im·mî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with or וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 408: Not He will destroy you!” יַשְׁחִיתֶֽךָ׃ (yaš·ḥî·ṯe·ḵā) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin Additonal Resources 2 Chronicles 35:21 Blue Letter Bible2 Chronicles 35:21 Bible Gateway 2 Chronicles 35:21 Bible.com 2 Chronicles 35:21 NIV |
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