2 Chronicles 12 3

2 Chronicles 12 3 Cross References

h2 Cross References

h2 Context

The chapter opens with Rehoboam and all Israel forsaking the Lord's law, specifically after the kingdom was established and strengthened (2 Chr 12:1). This act of disobedience triggers divine judgment. Verse 2 immediately connects this transgression with the arrival of Pharaoh Shishak against Jerusalem in the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign. Thus, verse 3 describes the formidable force that God allowed to come against Judah, not merely as a geopolitical event, but as a direct consequence of their spiritual infidelity. The size and diverse composition of Shishak's army underscore the severity of the threat and Judah's human inability to resist it, setting the stage for God's merciful intervention later in the chapter (2 Chr 12:6-7) when the people humbled themselves. This emphasizes the Chronicler's theological perspective: God actively directs historical events, especially regarding the covenant people's obedience or disobedience.

h2 Word analysis

• with twelve hundred chariots:
  • Word: chariots (Hebrew: רֶכֶב, rekhev). This term signifies a rapid, powerful, and elite military unit, serving as the main offensive weapon of ancient armies, representing the pinnacle of military technology and strength in that era.
  • Significance: A force of 1200 chariots was immense, showcasing Shishak's extraordinary power and the overwhelming nature of the invasion. It directly counters Judah's own previous reliance on chariots, mirroring Solomon's accumulation of them (1 Ki 10:26), now turning against his son.
• and threescore thousand horsemen:
  • Word: horsemen (Hebrew: פָּרָשִׁים, parashim). Refers to mounted warriors, providing speed, scouting, and flanking capabilities, a significant addition to an ancient army's striking power.
  • Significance: Sixty thousand horsemen, combined with the chariots, indicate a force designed for overwhelming shock and mobility. This demonstrates the immense worldly power gathered against Judah.
• and the people were without number:
  • Phrase: without number (Hebrew: לְאֵין מִסְפָּר, le-en mispar). Literally means "to no count" or "immeasurable."
  • Significance: Emphasizes the sheer multitude of infantry, portraying an unstoppable, countless host. This detail underscores Judah's utter human inadequacy in facing such an adversary and amplifies the scope of divine judgment.
• that came with him out of Egypt:
  • Phrase: out of Egypt.
  • Significance: Identifies the primary source of this formidable army and implicitly serves as a theological warning. Egypt, in biblical narratives, often represents worldly power, human wisdom, or a source of reliance apart from God (Isa 30:1-3, 31:1). Judah, having departed from the Lord, now faces an attack from the very power they were cautioned against trusting.
• the Lubims:
  • Word: Lubims (Hebrew: לוּבִים, Luvim). These were Libyans, an ancient people residing to the west of Egypt (modern Libya).
  • Significance: Often served as mercenaries or allies for Egyptian pharaohs, renowned for their martial prowess. Their inclusion highlights the multinational composition of Shishak's forces and the extensive reach of Egyptian influence.
• the Sukkiims:
  • Word: Sukkiims (Hebrew: סֻכִּיִּים, Sukkiyim). The identity of this group is debated. Some scholars suggest they were a tent-dwelling nomadic people from the desert regions, or a specific Egyptian ethnic group/district.
  • Significance: Whatever their exact identity, their mention further emphasizes the diverse and exotic array of peoples Shishak assembled, reflecting the vastness of the invading horde.
• and the Ethiopians:
  • Word: Ethiopians (Hebrew: כּוּשִׁים, Kushim). Refers to the Nubians, people from the region of Cush (modern Sudan) to the south of Egypt.
  • Significance: Cush was often a powerful kingdom in its own right, and its soldiers were known as formidable warriors, sometimes acting as Egyptian allies or part of their empire (e.g., during the 25th Dynasty when Nubians ruled Egypt). Their presence further underlines the magnitude and breadth of the invasion force.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen": This precise quantification of elite units—chariotry and cavalry—underscores the meticulous intelligence gathered regarding the invading force, but also symbolically represents the pinnacle of human military might and technology. It presents a force that humanly speaking is irresistible, setting the stage for divine intervention (or the lack thereof) to be clearly seen as God's doing, not Judah's. This is often juxtaposed in scripture with a warning against trusting in such might rather than God (Ps 20:7).
• "the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians": This broader description captures the sheer, overwhelming numerical superiority of Shishak's infantry. The specific mention of foreign contingents—Lubims, Sukkiims, and Ethiopians—highlights not only the multi-ethnic nature of the army but also signifies the bringing of foreign nations as an instrument of divine judgment. These are not merely geopolitical details, but elements demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's response to Judah's rebellion, utilizing the very nations associated with worldly power to discipline His people.

h2 Commentary

This concise verse profoundly illustrates the consequences of Judah's spiritual abandonment. The formidable enumeration of chariots, horsemen, and uncountable infantry, drawn from various formidable foreign nations like the Libyans and Ethiopians, serves as a vivid portrayal of God's judgment against a disobedient people. The Chronicler emphasizes the human impossibility of resisting such an overwhelming force, subtly preparing the reader for the eventual intervention of the Lord. It underscores that when a nation forsakes God, even immense external threats are readily permitted by Him to serve His redemptive or disciplinary purposes. The immense scale of Shishak's army functions as a physical manifestation of the divine wrath against a people who had ceased to trust in God's power and instead became like the nations around them, seeking their strength in human devices. This sets a stark contrast between Judah's dwindling spiritual resources and the overflowing material might of their enemy.

h2 Bonus section

• Archaeological Corroboration: Pharaoh Sheshonq I (biblical Shishak) is well-documented in Egyptian history, and his military campaign against Judah is attested by a relief at the Karnak Temple in Egypt. This provides external, extra-biblical confirmation of the historical event, adding another layer to the narrative's grounding in actual history, even as the Chronicler frames it primarily theologically.
• The Chronicler's Purpose: The Chronicler's meticulous detail of the army's composition and numbers highlights his theological agenda. By emphasizing the immense, overwhelming human force, he heightens the significance of Judah's humbling and God's subsequent swift, decisive, and merciful intervention (as seen in the following verses), underscoring that deliverance comes from God alone, not from Judah's own strength or ingenuity. The multi-national aspect also shows God's sovereignty over all nations, using even pagan armies as instruments in His divine plan.