And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.
They said to them, 'You must not bring these prisoners here. We have already sinned against the LORD, and you want to add even more to our sins and guilt. Our wrongdoing is already great, and God's fierce anger is already burning against Israel.'
The leaders are warning that bringing captives from their fellow Israelites would pile even more sin on top of their already great guilt before God.
📚 Historical Context
During the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, who had abandoned God and led the nation into idolatry, Judah was defeated in battle by the northern kingdom of Israel, resulting in many captives being taken. The victorious Israelites planned to bring these Judean captives back to Samaria, but prophets and leaders among them intervened to prevent this act. They argued that adding to their existing sins against God would only increase His wrath toward the entire nation of Israel.
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