Translations
Modern
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.’”
Traditional
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.
Literal
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.’”
Latin
Pater meus imposuit vobis grave jugum, et ego majus pondus apponam; pater meus cecidit vos flagellis, ego vero cædam vos scorpionibus.
Original
Hebrew
English
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.’”
Notes
The younger counselors' words matched Rehoboam's attitude. They lacked the elders' experience but shared Rehoboam's preferences. They used metaphors and rhetoric suited for a royal court.
Theme notes and profiles
Parallels
Glossary
Chronicles, Books of First and Second Genealogy Jehoram Yoke
Topics
Candidate: Refuses to Make Promises Kings: Who Reigned Over all Israel: Rehoboam (First Part of his Reign) Rehoboam: Refuses to Reform Abuses Rulers: Wicked: Rehoboam, Making the Yoke Heavy