2 Chronicles 10:11

9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.

For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.

13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”
KJV
For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
WEB
Now whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.’”
ASV
And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I [will chastise you] with scorpions.
DARBY
and whereas my father laid a heavy yoke upon you, *I* will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but *I* [will chastise you] with scorpions.
BLB
And now, my father loaded on you⁺ a heavy yoke, and I will add to your⁺ yoke; my father chastised you⁺ with whips, and I with scorpions.’”
ÅB
har nå min far lagt et tungt åk på dere, så vil jeg gjøre deres åk enda tyngre; har min far tuktet dere med sveper, så vil jeg tukte dere med skorpioner.
OTB
Nå da, min far la et tungt åk på dere, men jeg vil legge til deres åk; min far tuktet dere med pisker, men jeg vil tukte dere med skorpioner.’”
B1930
har nu min far lagt et tungt åk på eder, så vil jeg gjøre eders åk ennu tyngre; har min far tuktet eder med sveper, så vil jeg tukte eder med skorpioner.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Exodus 1:13–14

    And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:

    Read in context
  • Matthew 11:29

    Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 9:5

    And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 47:6

    I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 9:10

    And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 58:6

    Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

    Read in context
  • Revelation 9:3

    And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 5:5–9

    And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

    Read in context