Translations
Modern
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!
Traditional
And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
Literal
And spoke to him the young men who had grown up with him, saying, “Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made heavy our yoke, and you make it lighter on us.’ Thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than the loins of my father.
Latin
Et dixerunt ei juvenes qui nutriti fuerant cum eo: Sic loqueris populo huic, qui locuti sunt ad te, dicentes: Pater tuus aggravavit jugum nostrum: tu releva nos. Sic loqueris ad eos: Minimus digitus meus grossior est dorso patris mei.
Original
Hebrew
English
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!
Notes
young men: Rehoboam's peers took a strict stance and advised against the older men's suggestions.
Theme notes and profiles
Parallels
Glossary
Adoniram Jeroboam Judaism Kings, Books of First and Second Palace Taskmaster Warfare Yoke
Topics
Counsel by Rehoboam Government: God In in Dividing the Jewish Nation Into Two Different Countries Government: Monarchical by Solomon Jeroboam: Recalled from Egypt by the Ten Tribes on Account of Disaffection Toward Rehoboam Kings: Who Reigned Over all Israel: Rehoboam (First Part of his Reign) Petition: Rehoboam Rashness: Rehoboam, in Forsaking the Counsel of the Old Men Rehoboam: Refuses to Reform Abuses Revolt of the Ten Tribes Rulers: Wicked: Rehoboam, Making the Yoke Heavy Young Men: General Scriptures Concerning