2 Chronicles 20: Jehoshaphat prays, and Yahweh gives the victory
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What happens?
Moab, Ammon and others come against Jehoshaphat, and he proclaims a fast, stands in Yahweh's house and prays, and all Judah stands before Yahweh. Jahaziel the Levite, on whom Yahweh's Spirit comes, says that the battle is not theirs but God's. Singers go out before the army, Yahweh sets ambushers against the enemy, and they destroy one another, so that Judah finds the enemy dead and takes plunder for three days. They bless Yahweh in the valley of Beracah and return to Jerusalem with joy, and the chapter ends with Jehoshaphat's reign, the high places not taken away, and his joining Ahaziah in making ships that are wrecked.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. No verse is in gold: God speaks no words of his own in this chapter. Some who came speak in verse 2. Jehoshaphat prays in verses 6 to 12 and speaks to the people in verse 20. In verses 15 to 17 Jahaziel speaks, and he says "Yahweh says to you"; the text gives these as his words, after Yahweh's Spirit came on him in verse 14, so they are not in gold. The words the singers are to say in verse 21 are theirs. Eliezer speaks in verse 37 and says "Yahweh has destroyed your works"; those are his words. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1After this, the children of Moab, the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
In plain English: After this, the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, and with them some of the Meunites (the Hebrew text has: some of the Ammonites; see the note), came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
Good to know: The Hebrew text in this study's source says "some of the Ammonites" at this point, where this Bible says "some of the Meunites". The text does not explain the difference.
2Then some came who told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea from Syria. Behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).
In plain English: Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Aram (this Bible: Syria). Look, they are in Hazazon Tamar" (that is En Gedi).
Good to know: The text itself says that Hazazon Tamar is En Gedi. names Hazazon Tamar as the place where the Amorites lived.
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3Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and set himself to seek Yahweh. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
In plain English: Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he set his face to seek Yahweh. He proclaimed a fast over all Judah.
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4Judah gathered themselves together to seek help from Yahweh. They came out of all the cities of Judah to seek Yahweh.
In plain English: Judah gathered together to seek help from Yahweh. They came from all the cities of Judah to seek Yahweh.
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5Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in Yahweh’s house, before the new court;
In plain English: Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in Yahweh's house, in front of the new courtyard,
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6and he said, “Yahweh, the God of our fathers, aren’t you God in heaven? Aren’t you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so that no one is able to withstand you.
In plain English: and said, "Yahweh, God of our fathers, are you not God in the heavens? Are you not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and strength are in your hand, and no one can stand against you.
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7Didn’t you, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it to the offspring of Abraham your friend forever?
In plain English: Did you not, our God, drive out the people who lived in this land before your people Israel, and give it to the offspring of Abraham your friend (or: the one who loves you; see the note) forever?
The Hebrew word: "Friend" is ahab, which the dictionary gives as "to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)". Word for word the Hebrew says "the one who loves you". has "Abraham my friend" in this Bible.
How it is translated: This Bible says "love" or a longer form in 179 of the 195 verses that use the word, and "friend" or a longer form in 18 of them.
What changes: Read as "friend", Abraham is called Yahweh's friend. Read as "the one who loves you", the verse says that Abraham loved God. The text does not say which.
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8They lived in it, and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying,
In plain English: They have lived in it, and they have built you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying,
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9‘If evil comes on us—the sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you (for your name is in this house), and cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’
In plain English: 'If calamity (this Bible: evil) comes on us, the sword, judgment, pestilence or famine, we will stand before this house and before you (for your name is in this house) and cry out to you from our distress, and you will hear and save.'
Good to know: in Solomon's prayer speaks of famine and pestilence, and of prayer "toward this house". This verse speaks of the sword, judgment, pestilence and famine, and of standing before this house. It does not say that it is quoting that prayer, and the words are not the same.
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10Now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned away from them, and didn’t destroy them;
In plain English: Now look, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you did not let Israel go into when they came from the land of Egypt, for they turned aside from them and did not destroy them,
Good to know: says Yahweh gave Mount Seir to Esau, says he gave Ar to the children of Lot, and says he gave the land of Ammon to the children of Lot. Each tells Israel not to contend with them. This verse says that Israel was not let into their land and turned away and did not destroy them.
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11behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit.
In plain English: look, they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you caused us to possess.
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12Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us. We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
In plain English: Our God, will you not enter into judgment on them? For we have no strength before this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
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13All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
In plain English: All Judah were standing before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives and their children.
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14Then Yahweh’s Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly;
In plain English: Then Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, one of the descendants of Asaph, had the Spirit of Yahweh on him in the middle of the assembly.
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15and he said, “Listen, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat. Yahweh says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed because of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
In plain English: He said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat. Yahweh says to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.
Good to know: Verse 14 says Yahweh's Spirit was on Jahaziel, and verse 15 says "he said". Inside his words he says "Yahweh says to you". This study prints in gold only the words that the text gives to Yahweh or God himself speaking, so these verses are not in gold.
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16Tomorrow, go down against them. Behold, they are coming up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
In plain English: Tomorrow go down against them. Look, they are coming up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley (or: wadi), in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.
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17You will not need to fight this battle. Set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed. Go out against them tomorrow, for Yahweh is with you.’”
In plain English: It is not for you to fight in this battle. Take your stand, stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out before them, for Yahweh will be with you.'"
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18Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping Yahweh.
In plain English: Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh to bow down to Yahweh.
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19The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceedingly loud voice.
In plain English: The Levites, from the descendants of the Kohathites and of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice (literally: a great voice upward).
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20They rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in Yahweh your God, so you will be established! Believe his prophets, so you will prosper.”
In plain English: They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be established. Believe his prophets, and you will succeed."
The Hebrew word: "Believe" is aman, which the dictionary gives as "properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain". The same Hebrew word is in "believe in Yahweh your God", in "so you will be established", and in "believe his prophets".
How it is translated: This Bible says "believe" or a longer form in 38 of the 102 verses that use the word, "trust" or a longer form in 8, and "establish" or a longer form in 8.
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21When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to Yahweh and give praise in holy array as they go out before the army, and say, “Give thanks to Yahweh, for his loving kindness endures forever.”
In plain English: He consulted with the people and appointed singers for Yahweh and those who praised him in holy array (word for word: the adornment of holiness), as they went out before the army, saying, "Give thanks to Yahweh, for his loving kindness (or: covenant loyalty) lasts forever."
The Hebrew words: "Holy array" is word for word "the adornment of holiness". The Hebrew word for "adornment" is hadarah, which the dictionary gives as "decoration". says "Worship Yahweh in holy array".
Good to know: The words the singers say, "Give thanks to Yahweh, for his loving kindness endures forever", are in this Bible the same as the end of , which has "for he is good" before them.
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22When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck.
In plain English: At the time when they began with shouts of joy and praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, and they were struck down.
The Hebrew word: "Ambushers" is arab, which the dictionary gives as "to lurk". This is the only verse in 2 Chronicles that uses it. The text does not say who the ambushers were.
Good to know: Verse 22 says the three peoples "were struck". Verse 23 says what happened between them: Ammon and Moab rose up against Seir, and then "everyone helped to destroy each other".
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23For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. When they had finished the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy each other.
In plain English: The sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to destroy them completely. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, each one helped to destroy his neighbor.
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24When Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness, they looked at the multitude; and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who escaped.
In plain English: Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness and turned toward the multitude, and there they were: dead bodies lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.
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25When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their plunder, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies with precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away. They took plunder for three days, it was so much.
In plain English: Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their plunder, and they found among them in abundance riches and dead bodies and precious things (this Bible: dead bodies with precious jewels), and they stripped them off for themselves, more than they could carry. They were three days taking the plunder, for it was so much.
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26On the fourth day, they assembled themselves in Beracah Valley, for there they blessed Yahweh. Therefore the name of that place was called “Beracah Valley” to this day.
In plain English: On the fourth day they gathered in the valley of Beracah, for there they blessed Yahweh. Therefore the name of that place has been called the valley of Beracah to this day.
The Hebrew word: The text gives its own reason for the name: "there they blessed Yahweh". "Beracah" is Berakah, which the dictionary gives as "the name of an Israelite, and also of a valley in Palestine", and "blessed" is barak, which the dictionary gives as "to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit)". So Beracah sounds like "blessing".
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27Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for Yahweh had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
In plain English: Then every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned, with Jehoshaphat at their head, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for Yahweh had made them rejoice over their enemies.
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28They came to Jerusalem with stringed instruments, harps, and trumpets to Yahweh’s house.
In plain English: They came to Jerusalem with stringed instruments, harps and trumpets, to Yahweh's house.
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29The fear of God was on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that Yahweh fought against the enemies of Israel.
In plain English: The dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that Yahweh had fought against the enemies of Israel.
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30So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.
In plain English: So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.
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31So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign. He reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
In plain English: Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
Good to know: gives the same age, the same number of years and the same mother's name.
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32He walked in the way of Asa his father, and didn’t turn away from it, doing that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes.
In plain English: He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in Yahweh's eyes.
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33However the high places were not taken away, and the people had still not set their hearts on the God of their fathers.
In plain English: Only the high places were not taken away, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their fathers.
Good to know: The verse says the high places were not taken away. says Jehoshaphat "took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah". says "the high places were not taken away" and adds that the people still sacrificed and burned incense on them. The text does not explain how the verses fit together.
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34Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is included in the book of the kings of Israel.
In plain English: The rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, look, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is included in the book of the kings of Israel (see the note).
The Hebrew words: "Included in" is word for word "went up on". The Hebrew word for "went up" is alah, which the dictionary gives as "to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative". Word for word the verse says the acts "are written in the words of Jehu the son of Hanani, which went up on the scroll of the kings of Israel".
What changes: Read one way, "which" is the history of Jehu, and the history of Jehu is included in the book of the kings of Israel. Read the other way, "which" is the acts of Jehoshaphat, and they are what is included there. The text does not say which. says instead that his acts are written "in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah".
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35After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. The same did very wickedly.
In plain English: After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. He did very wickedly (the Hebrew has only "he"; see the note).
Good to know: The Hebrew has only "he" before "did wickedly", and "he" can be Ahaziah or Jehoshaphat. says Ahaziah asked for his servants to go with Jehoshaphat's servants in the ships, "but Jehoshaphat would not". This chapter says Jehoshaphat joined himself with Ahaziah. The text does not explain the difference.
36He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber.
In plain English: He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber.
Good to know: This verse says the ships were to go to Tarshish and were made in Ezion Geber. says "ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold", and that they did not go because the ships "wrecked at Ezion Geber". This verse says Tarshish was where they were to go, and 1 Kings says Ophir. The text does not explain the difference.
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37Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works.” The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
In plain English: Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works." The ships were wrecked, and they could not go to Tarshish.
Good to know: Eliezer's words, "Yahweh has destroyed your works", are his own, as the verse says he prophesied against Jehoshaphat. The verse says the ships "were wrecked". says the ships "wrecked at Ezion Geber" and does not mention Eliezer.
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