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.’”
Parallel translations
- 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.
- BSB 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.’”
- 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 8:18You will cry out in that day because of your king whom you will have chosen for yourselves; and Yahweh will not answer you in that day.”
- Rev 9:5They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person.
- Luke 10:19Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.
- Exod 5:18Go therefore now, and work, for no straw shall be given to you, yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks!”
- Exod 5:5–9Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens.”
- Isa 58:6“Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
- Rev 9:10They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men 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 1:13–14The Egyptians ruthlessly made the children of Israel serve,
- Jer 28:13–14“Go, and tell Hananiah, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “You have broken the bars of wood, but you have made in their place bars of iron.”
- Isa 47:6I was angry with my people. I profaned my inheritance, and gave them into your hand. You showed them no mercy. You laid a very heavy yoke on the aged.
- Rev 9:3Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
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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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