2 Chronicles 13:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Abijah addresses Jeroboam and Israel from Mount Zemaraim before the battle.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 13:4
Abijah stands on Mount Zemaraim in Ephraim to address Jeroboam and all Israel.
What Does 2 Chronicles 13:4 Mean?
Mount Zemaraim lies within the hill country of Ephraim, the heartland of Jeroboam's northern kingdom. That Abijah stands on this northern mountain to speak shows dramatic boldness—he is in enemy territory, making his case where Jeroboam's own people would hear it. The public address suggests a moment of attempted negotiation or explanation before violence.
His call to hear him is directed both at Jeroboam personally and at all Israel, the collective people. This rhetorical move frames the conflict not as a personal dispute between two kings but as a matter of national significance that concerns all the people of God.
2 Chronicles 13:4 in the Original Language
Zemaraim (צְמָרַיִם) — from the root tsemer, 'wool,' possibly referring to a place of high elevation with woolen textile production or a descriptive geographical feature.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 13:4
What does 2 Chronicles 13:4 mean?
Abijah addresses Jeroboam and Israel from Mount Zemaraim before the battle.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 13:4?
Abijah stands on Mount Zemaraim in Ephraim to address Jeroboam and all Israel.