2 Chronicles 21:11

Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) Moreover he made.—There is a stress on the pronoun, “he made,” in contrast with Asa and Jehoshaphat, his worthier predecessors (2Chronicles 17:6). Or he himself, and not the people. LXX., καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἐποίησεν. From this point to the end of the reign the narrative is peculiar to the chronicler.

High places.—For the worship of the foreign gods, as well as of the God of Israel.

Mountains.—Many Heb. MSS., LXX., and Vulg., “cities” (a similar word); Syriac, “Moreover he made high places in the mountain of Judah, and caused the Nazarites of Jerusalem to drink wine, and scattered those who were of the house of Judah.”

And caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication—i.e., the spiritual fornication of unfaithfulness to Jehovah, the only lawful spouse of Israel. (Comp. Hosea 2:5; Hosea 2:8; Hosea 2:13; Hosea 2:16-17; Hosea 2:19 :1Chronicles 5:25.)

And compelled.—Or, seduced (Deuteronomy 13:6; Deuteronomy 13:11). LXX., ἀπεπλάνησε.

Benson Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:11. He made high places — Not to the Lord, whose sworn enemy he was, but to Baals, or false gods. Caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication — Spiritual whoredom, or idolatry, seducing them to eat things sacrificed to idols, (Revelation 2:20,) not only by his counsel and example, but, as it follows, by force, by threats, and penalties.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:1-11 Jehoram hated his brethren, and slew them, for the same reason that Cain hated Abel, and slew him, because their piety condemned his impiety. In the mystery of Providence such men sometimes prosper for a time; but the Lord has righteous purposes in permitting such events, part of which may now be made out, and the rest will be seen hereafter.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See 2 Kings 8:18. The writer of Kings only tells us in general terms that Jehoram "did evil in the sight of the Lord," and "walked in the way of the house of Ahab." Here, in 2 Chronicles 21:11, 2 Chronicles 21:13, we have particulars of his idolatry. Jehoram, it seems, seduced by the evil influence of his wife - Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab - permitted the introduction of Baal-worship, idolatrous altars in various high places, groves (Asherahs), images, and pillars; the people were not only allowed, but compelled to take part in the new rites. "To commit fornication" is a common metaphor, signifying idolatry or spiritual unfaithfulness (compare the 2 Kings 9:22 note).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2Ch 21:8-17. Edom and Libnah Revolt.

8-10. the Edomites revolted—That nation had been made dependent by David, and down to the time of Jehoshaphat was governed by a tributary ruler (1Ki 22:47; 2Ki 3:9). But that king having been slain in an insurrection at home, his successor thought to ingratiate himself with his new subjects by raising the flag of independence [Josephus]. The attempt was defeated in the first instance by Jehoram, who possessed all the military establishments of his father; but being renewed unexpectedly, the Edomites succeeded in completely emancipating their country from the yoke of Judah (Ge 27:40). Libnah, which lay on the southern frontier and towards Edom, followed the example of that country.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

He made high places; not to the Lord, whose sworn enemy he was, but to Baals, or false gods.

Caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication; not only by his counsel and example, but, as it follows, by force, by threats and penalties.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of Judah,.... Temples and altars for idols, which, being built on mountains, had the name of high places; and these Jehoram made or rebuilt were those which had been pulled down by Asa and Jehoshaphat:

and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication; that is, idolatry, drawing them by his own example to worship Baal, for he did what Ahab and his family did, 2 Chronicles 21:6, and compelled Judah thereto; the inhabitants of Jerusalem falling into the same idolatrous practice with him, he forced the inhabitants of the cities, and in the country, to do the same, who it seems were not so willing and ready to comply therewith.

Geneva Study Bible

Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit {f} fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.

(f) Meaning, idolatry because the idolater breaks promise with God as the adulteress does to her husband.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11–15 (not in Kings). Jehoram’s Sins and Elijah’s written Denunciation

11. in the mountains] So Pesh., but ἐν πόλεσιν LXX. The difference between the two readings in Heb. is very small.

caused … to commit fornication] R.V. made … to go a whoring, i.e. led … into idolatry according to a much used metaphor of Scripture.

compelled Judah thereto] Lit., banished Judah, i.e. from the presence of Jehovah (a second metaphor meaning the same as the last, but on the negative side; “lead into idolatry” = “lead away from Jehovah”).

2 Chronicles 21:11

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The chronicler concludes the account of the revolt of Edom and of the city of Libnah against Judah's dominion with the reflection: "For he (Joram) had forsaken Jahve the God of the fathers," and consequently had brought this revolt upon himself, the Lord punishing him thereby for his sin. "Yea, even high places did he make." The גּם placed at the beginning may be connected with בּמות (cf. Isaiah 30:33), while the subject is emphasized by הוּא: The same who had forsaken the God of the fathers, made also high places, which Asa and Jehoshaphat had removed, 2 Chronicles 14:2, 2 Chronicles 14:4; 2 Chronicles 17:6. "And he caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication," i.e., seduced them into the idolatrous worship of Baal. That the Hiph. ויּזן is to be understood of the spiritual whoredom of Baal-worship we learn from 2 Chronicles 21:13 : "as the house of Ahab caused to commit fornication." וידּח, "and misled Judah," i.e., drew them away by violence from the right way. ידּח is to be interpreted in accordance with Deuteronomy 13:6, Deuteronomy 13:11.