Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”
Parallel translations
- WEB Now whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.’”
- KJV For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
- NKJV And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’ ”
- NASB Now then, my father loaded you with a heavy yoke; yet I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions!’ ”
- NLT Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The young men tell Rehoboam to promise even crueler discipline, replacing whips with 'scorpions.' It shows leadership that crushes rather than serves.
Overview
The boast escalates: instead of lightening the people's burden, Rehoboam is urged to multiply it, exchanging whips for barbed scourges. This domineering vision of kingship stands in stark contrast to God's design for Israel's kings, who were to be brothers among the people (Deuteronomy 17:20). Christ, the gentle King, lays down his life for his people rather than laying burdens on them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 1 Sam 8:18When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”
- Rev 9:5The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months, and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion.
- Luke 10:19Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
- Exod 5:18Now get to work. You will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the full quota of bricks.”
- Exod 5:5–9Pharaoh also said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you would be stopping them from their labor.”
- Isa 58:6Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?
- Rev 9:10They had tails with stingers like scorpions, which had the power to injure people for five months.
- Matt 11:29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Exod 1:13–14They worked the Israelites ruthlessly
- Jer 28:13–14“Go and tell Hananiah that this is what the LORD says: ‘You have broken a yoke of wood, but in its place you have fashioned a yoke of iron.’
- Isa 47:6I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke.
- Rev 9:3And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth.
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Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
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Original language
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