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.
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.’”
- 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 8:18And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
- Rev 9:5And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
- Luke 10:19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
- Exod 5:18Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
- Exod 5:5–9And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
- Isa 58:6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
- Rev 9:10And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
- Matt 11:29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
- Exod 1:13–14And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
- Jer 28:13–14Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.
- Isa 47:6I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
- Rev 9:3And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, 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.
How 2 Chronicles 10:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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