2 Chronicles 13:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeroboam replaced legitimate priests with false priests, following pagan patterns rather than God's law.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 13:9
Jeroboam abolished the Levitical priesthood and opened priesthood to anyone, following pagan custom.
What Does 2 Chronicles 13:9 Mean?
Jeroboam had expelled the Levitical priests and established his own priesthood, open to anyone willing to bring the required offerings. This was a radical departure from the Levitical order established in Torah—priests were to be of Aaron's line, not self-appointed. Abijah presents this as adopting pagan religious practice, copying the methods of nations around Israel rather than honoring God's explicit instructions.
The irony is sharp: anyone can become a priest for gods that are no gods. The accessibility of priesthood in Jeroboam's system is not a virtue but a sign of its falsity. True priesthood, in Abijah's teaching, serves the true God through appointed lines and proper covenant order.
2 Chronicles 13:9 in the Original Language
kohanim (כֹּהֲנִים) — priests in Israel were to be exclusively from the tribe of Levi, specifically descendants of Aaron; Jeroboam's innovation violated this fundamental law.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 13:9
What does 2 Chronicles 13:9 mean?
Jeroboam replaced legitimate priests with false priests, following pagan patterns rather than God's law.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 13:9?
Jeroboam abolished the Levitical priesthood and opened priesthood to anyone, following pagan custom.