2 Chronicles 13:9

9 "¹Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes ²to consecrate * himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are ³no gods.

2 Chronicles 13:9 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 13:9

Have ye not cast out the priests of the Lord the sons of
Aaron, and the Levites
Because they would not sacrifice to his idols, and that they might not instruct the people in the pure worship of God, and that he and his people might be free from the payment of tithes, firstfruits and their cities fall into his hands:

and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of [other]
lands?
after the manner of the Gentiles, without any regard to any particular tribe, which God had appointed those to be taken from:

so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and
seven rams;
which were five more than what were required by the law of Moses for the consecration of a priest, ( Exodus 29:1 ) , the same

may be a priest of [them that are] no gods; by nature, only nominal and
fictitious deities, as the calves were, which had no divinity in them, see ( 1 Kings 13:31 ) .

2 Chronicles 13:9 In-Context

7 and worthless men gathered about him, scoundrels , who proved too strong for Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, when he was young and timid and could not hold his own against them.

8 "So now you intend to resist the kingdom of the LORD through the sons of David, being a great multitude and having with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made for gods for you.

9 "Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD , the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods.

10 "But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and the sons of Aaron are ministering to the LORD as priests, and the Levites attend to their work.

11 "Every morning and evening they burn to the LORD burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening; for we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken Him.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 11:14, 15
• 2. Exodus 29:29-33
• 3. Jeremiah 2:11; Jeremiah 5:7