2 Chronicles 12:4
New International Version
he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

New Living Translation
Shishak conquered Judah’s fortified towns and then advanced to attack Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
And he took the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

Berean Standard Bible
He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

King James Bible
And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

New King James Version
And he took the fortified cities of Judah and came to Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible
And he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

NASB 1995
He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

NASB 1977
And he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
Shishak took the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

Christian Standard Bible
He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came unto Jerusalem.

Contemporary English Version
He captured every one of the fortified cities in Judah and then marched to Jerusalem.

English Revised Version
And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came unto Jerusalem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He captured the fortified cities in Judah and then came to Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
He captured the fortified cities of Judah and advanced as far as Jerusalem.

International Standard Version
Shishak captured the fortified cities of Judah and invaded as far as Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

NET Bible
He captured the fortified cities of Judah and marched against Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
He took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

World English Bible
He took the fortified cities which belonged to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he captures the cities of the bulwarks that [are] of Judah, and comes to Jerusalem.

Young's Literal Translation
and he captureth the cities of the bulwarks that are to Judah, and cometh in unto Jerusalem.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will take fortified cities which were to Judah and he will come even to Jerusalem.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he took the strongest cities in Juda, and came to Jerusalem.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he seized the most fortified cities in Judah, and he went even to Jerusalem.

New American Bible
They captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version
He took the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came unto Jerusalem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they obtained possession of the strong cities, which were in Juda, and came to Jerusalem.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Shishak Raids Jerusalem
3with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites. 4He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem. 5Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’ ”…

Cross References
1 Kings 14:25-26
In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. / He seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields that Solomon had made.

2 Chronicles 9:24
Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

2 Chronicles 11:5-12
Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah. / He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, / Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, ...

2 Chronicles 11:23
Rehoboam also acted wisely by dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and sought many wives for them.

2 Chronicles 15:8
When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple.

2 Chronicles 16:1-6
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. / So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus: / “Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.” ...

2 Chronicles 17:2
He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

2 Chronicles 21:17
So they went to war against Judah, invaded it, and carried off all the possessions found in the king’s palace, along with his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest.

2 Chronicles 24:23-24
In the spring, the army of Aram went to war against Joash. They entered Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the leaders of the people, and they sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus. / Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.

2 Chronicles 28:5
So the LORD his God delivered Ahaz into the hand of the king of Aram, who attacked him and took many captives to Damascus. Ahaz was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force.

2 Chronicles 32:1
After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself.

Isaiah 36:1
In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 34:7
as the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and the remaining cities of Judah—against Lachish and Azekah. For these were the only fortified cities remaining in Judah.

Ezekiel 19:8-9
Then the nations set out against him from the provinces on every side. They spread their net over him; he was trapped in their pit. / With hooks they caged him and brought him to the king of Babylon. They brought him into captivity so that his roar was heard no longer on the mountains of Israel.

Matthew 24:15-16
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.


Treasury of Scripture

And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

the fenced

2 Chronicles 11:5-12
And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah…

Isaiah 36:1
Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

Jeremiah 5:10
Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD'S.

came

2 Kings 18:17
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.

Isaiah 8:8
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

Isaiah 10:11
Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?

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Belonged Bulwarks Captured Captureth Cities Far Fenced Fortified Jerusalem Judah Pertained Towns Walled
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Belonged Bulwarks Captured Captureth Cities Far Fenced Fortified Jerusalem Judah Pertained Towns Walled
2 Chronicles 12
1. Rehoboam, forsaking the Lord, is punished by Shishak
5. He and the princes, repenting at the preaching of Shemaiah,
7. are delivered from destruction, but not from spoil
13. The reign and death of Rehoboam














He captured
The Hebrew root for "captured" is "לָכַד" (lakad), which conveys the idea of seizing or taking control by force. This word is often used in the context of military conquests, emphasizing the power and authority exerted by the conqueror. In the historical context of Rehoboam's reign, this phrase highlights the vulnerability of Judah due to their disobedience to God. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from divine protection and guidance.

the fortified cities
The term "fortified cities" refers to urban centers that were strengthened with walls and defenses to protect against invasions. In ancient times, such fortifications were crucial for the survival of a city-state. Archaeological evidence from the region shows that these cities often had thick walls, gates, and towers. The fact that these cities were captured indicates a significant breach in Judah's defenses, symbolizing the spiritual and moral decay that had weakened the nation from within.

of Judah
Judah, the southern kingdom, was the remnant of the united monarchy of Israel. It held Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of the Jewish people. The mention of Judah here is significant as it underscores the gravity of the situation; the heartland of God's chosen people was under threat. Historically, Judah's kings were expected to lead the people in faithfulness to God, but their failure led to vulnerability and defeat.

and came as far as Jerusalem
This phrase indicates the extent of the invasion, reaching the very heart of Judah. Jerusalem was not only the capital but also the location of the Temple, the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The approach of enemy forces to Jerusalem symbolizes a direct challenge to the spiritual and political center of the nation. It serves as a wake-up call for the people of Judah to return to their covenant relationship with God, recognizing that their security and prosperity are contingent upon their faithfulness to Him.

(4) He took the fenced cities.--Those very cities which Rehoboam had fortified as bulwarks against Egypt (2Chronicles 11:5-12). Fourteen names of cities have disappeared from the Karnak inscription, but Socho, Adoraim, and Ajalon, are still read there.

Came to (so far as to) Jerusalem.--Comp. Isaiah 36:1-2. The verse is not in Kings. Thenius (on 1Kings 14:26) says that the chronicler has here made use of "really historical notices." It is self-evident.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He captured
וַיִּלְכֹּ֛ד (way·yil·kōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere

the fortified
הַמְּצֻר֖וֹת (ham·mə·ṣu·rō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4694: A hemming in, a mound, a rampart, fortification

cities
עָרֵ֥י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of Judah
לִֽיהוּדָ֑ה (lî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and came
וַיָּבֹ֖א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

as far as
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 12:4 He took the fortified cities which pertained (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 12:3
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