2 Chronicles 36:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Zedekiah breaks his oath to Nebuchadnezzar and hardens his heart against turning to God.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 36:13
Zedekiah breaks oath to Babylon and resists God's call to repentance.
What Does 2 Chronicles 36:13 Mean?
Zedekiah has sworn an oath before God to Nebuchadnezzar, binding himself to loyalty. Yet he rebels against this sacred vow, an act of covenant-breaking that compounds his spiritual failure. 'He stiffened his neck'—a biblical idiom for stubborn resistance to God's will—and 'hardened his heart,' showing deliberate refusal to turn from his evil path.
His rebellion against both his human overlord and his divine king demonstrates the depth of his corruption. He cannot even keep a promise made under oath, nor can he humble himself before God. His stiffened neck and hardened heart seal Judah's doom.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 36:13
What does 2 Chronicles 36:13 mean?
Zedekiah breaks his oath to Nebuchadnezzar and hardens his heart against turning to God.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 36:13?
Zedekiah breaks oath to Babylon and resists God's call to repentance.