2 Chronicles 13:11 Meaning and Explanation
“And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Judah faithfully performs daily worship—sacrifices, incense, and temple rituals—while Israel has abandoned these duties.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 13:11
Judah maintains daily temple worship according to God's instructions while Israel has abandoned true worship.
What Does 2 Chronicles 13:11 Mean?
The religious practice Abijah describes is continuous and deliberate: morning and evening burnt offerings, sweet incense, carefully arranged shewbread on the pure table, and the golden candlestick burning every evening. These are not occasional acts but the rhythm of daily devotion. Each element—the bread, the light, the sacrifice—reflects the structure God prescribed in Torah for his tabernacle and temple worship.
This detailed inventory of temple practice serves Abijah's argument: Judah is maintaining the exact pattern of worship the Lord established. The contrast is not subtle—while Judah faithfully keeps the Lord's charge, Israel has forsaken him. Forsaking is the opposite of keeping: it means abandonment, neglect, and turning away.
2 Chronicles 13:11 in the Original Language
shomer mishmereth (שׁוֹמְרֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת) — 'keepers of the charge' or 'keeping the charge,' emphasizing the responsibility and covenant obligation to maintain the Lord's appointed order.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 13:11
What does 2 Chronicles 13:11 mean?
Judah faithfully performs daily worship—sacrifices, incense, and temple rituals—while Israel has abandoned these duties.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 13:11?
Judah maintains daily temple worship according to God's instructions while Israel has abandoned true worship.