Translations
Modern
“Your father put a heavy yoke on us. But now you must lighten the burden of your father’s service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”
Traditional
Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
Literal
“Your father hardened our yoke, and now lighten the severe service of your father and his heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you.”
Latin
Pater tuus durissimo jugo nos pressit: tu leviora impera patre tuo, qui nobis imposuit gravem servitutem, et paululum de onere subleva, ut serviamus tibi.
Original
Hebrew
English
“Your father put a heavy yoke on us. But now you must lighten the burden of your father’s service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”
Notes
Rehoboam lacked the power to enforce taxes on the northern tribes, so they asked for concessions to stay under his rule.
Theme notes and profiles
Parallels
Glossary
Chronicles, Books of First and Second Genealogy Jehoram Rehoboam 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 Solomon: Oppressions of