1 Chronicles 5 20

1 Chronicles 5:20 kjv

And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.

1 Chronicles 5:20 nkjv

And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.

1 Chronicles 5:20 niv

They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.

1 Chronicles 5:20 esv

And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him.

1 Chronicles 5:20 nlt

They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him. So the Hagrites and all their allies were defeated.

1 Chronicles 5 verses

1 Chronicles 5 20 Meaning

This verse succinctly explains why the Transjordanian tribes—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—achieved victory over the Hagrites and their allies. Their success was not due to their own might, but rather the direct divine intervention and help of God. The victory was granted because these tribes cried out to God in their distress during the battle and, critically, because they placed their trust in Him, indicating that God actively responds to the faith and fervent prayers of His people.

1 Chronicles 5 20 Context

This verse appears in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, specifically after tracing the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh who settled in Transjordan. While much of Chronicles focuses on detailed lineage, the Chronicler intersperses brief narrative passages that highlight key theological lessons. This particular passage (1 Chr 5:18-22) is one such interlude, depicting a successful campaign by these eastern tribes against the Hagrites and their allied desert peoples. It serves as an illustrative story embedded within the tribal records. The broader context of 1 Chronicles is to affirm God's continued faithfulness to Israel, even after the Babylonian exile, by recounting their history, focusing particularly on the unified kingdom, the Temple, and the Levitical priesthood. The emphasis is on obedience, trust, and worship as keys to divine blessing and national well-being. This verse highlights the practical application of trusting God amidst real-life challenges, such as warfare.

1 Chronicles 5 20 Word analysis

• And they were helped: Hebrew: וַיֵּעָזְר֥וּ (vayye'azru). The verb 'azar (עָזַר) means "to help" or "to assist." The passive voice signifies that the help originated from an external source—God. This emphasizes divine intervention rather than mere human military prowess. It highlights God's initiative in providing aid to His people.
• against them: Refers to the Hagrites and their allies (Jetur, Naphish, Nodab) mentioned in the preceding verse (1 Chr 5:19). This clarifies the opposing force.
• and the Hagrites: Hebrew: הַהַגְרִאִים֙ (HaHagrī'īm). A nomadic people residing east of Transjordan, frequently at odds with Israel. Their defeat demonstrates God's power over seemingly formidable desert enemies.
• were delivered: Hebrew: נִתְּנוּ (nittnu), from the root nātan (נָתַן), meaning "to give" or "to put." In this context, it signifies "were given over" or "were handed over," denoting complete conquest and victory by God's decree.
• into their hand: Hebrew: בְּיָדָ֑ם (b'yadam). This is a common Hebrew idiom indicating full control, power, or dominion gained over an enemy. It implies total victory and subjugation.
• and all who were with them: This phrase expands the scope of the victory, confirming that not only the primary Hagrite forces but all their allies were defeated, reinforcing the comprehensiveness of God's aid.
• for: Hebrew: כִּי (ki). This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the divine help and victory. It clarifies the causal link between the tribes' actions and God's response.
• they cried to God: Hebrew: וַיִּזְעֲק֣וּ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים (vayyiz'aku lē'lōhim). The verb za'aq (זָעַק) means "to cry out," often in distress or appeal. This signifies a fervent, urgent, and direct prayer, demonstrating desperation and reliance on a higher power rather than self-sufficiency. "Elohim" (אֱלֹהִים) is a common Hebrew name for God, emphasizing His divine authority and power.
• in the battle: Hebrew: בַּמִּלְחָמָה֙ (bammilchamah). This specifies the exact moment of their cry: amidst the immediate danger and chaos of conflict. It underscores the genuineness and situational urgency of their prayer.
• and He was entreated of them: Hebrew: נֶעְתַּ֥ר לָהֶ֖ם (ne'tar lahem). The verb 'atar (עָתַר) in the Niphal stem (passive) means "to be entreated," "to yield to supplication," or "to grant a request." It explicitly states that God listened to their plea and responded favorably. This highlights God's receptiveness to the prayers of His people.
• because: Hebrew: כִּי (ki). Again, this conjunction introduces the underlying reason, but this time for God's favorable response to their crying out.
• they trusted in Him: Hebrew: בָֽטְח֣וּ בֽוֹ (bat'chu bo). The verb batah (בָּטַח) means "to trust," "to rely," or "to be confident in." This is the foundational prerequisite for God's intervention. Their faith, active reliance, and confidence in God's ability and willingness to help were the ultimate keys to unlocking His divine assistance and granting of their plea.

1 Chronicles 5 20 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a core message of the Chronicler: covenant faithfulness results in blessing, and rebellion results in judgment. Here, the positive aspect is highlighted: God's responsiveness to faithfulness. The specific mention of "in the battle" emphasizes that even in life-threatening situations, reliance on God is paramount. This brief narrative, positioned within extensive genealogies, elevates a historical event to a theological paradigm for how God operates in the lives of His people. It sets a pattern seen throughout Israel's history and echoed in the New Testament: prayer combined with faith is potent and effective for divine assistance. This account provides a biblical basis for understanding divine providence in warfare, asserting that ultimate victory rests not with human strength or wisdom but with God, who actively participates when His people humble themselves and rely solely on Him.

1 Chronicles 5 20 Commentary

1 Chronicles 5:20 offers a profound theological statement regarding the nature of God's interaction with His people. It attributes the victory of the Transjordanian tribes entirely to God's intervention, initiated by their actions of crying out in prayer and placing their trust in Him. This concise account functions as an object lesson for the post-exilic community and for all generations, emphasizing that genuine faith and desperate reliance on God, especially in challenging circumstances, are met with divine favor and tangible help. It shifts the focus from military might or human strategy to the spiritual dynamic of seeking God. The victory over the Hagrites serves as a powerful reminder that God is not a passive deity but one who hears, acts, and grants victory to those who truly believe and turn to Him. This passage underscores that trust is not a passive belief but an active reliance that moves a believer to call upon God.