2 Chronicles 14:12 kjv
So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
2 Chronicles 14:12 nkjv
So the LORD struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.
2 Chronicles 14:12 niv
The LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled,
2 Chronicles 14:12 esv
So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.
2 Chronicles 14:12 nlt
So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled.
2 Chronicles 14 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 14:14 | "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." | God's active role in battles |
| Deut 1:30 | "The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you..." | God fights for His people |
| Josh 10:42 | "And all these kings and their land Joshua captured at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel." | God fighting for His chosen |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | "...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel; and that the LORD saves not with sword and spear..." | Victory comes from the LORD |
| 2 Chr 13:18 | "Thus the people of Israel were subdued at that time, and the people of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD..." | Relying on God for success |
| 2 Chr 20:15 | "...for the battle is not yours but God's." | God owns the battle |
| Ps 3:8 | "Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!" | Salvation and victory from God |
| Ps 20:7 | "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." | Trusting God over human might |
| Ps 33:16-17 | "The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength...A war horse is a false hope for salvation..." | Human might is insufficient |
| Ps 44:3 | "For not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm bring them victory; but by your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face..." | God gives the victory |
| Ps 76:5-6 | "The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep...At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned." | God's power over mighty warriors |
| Isa 8:9-10 | "Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered!...for God is with us!" | God's presence guarantees triumph |
| Isa 31:1 | "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help...but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!" | Danger of relying on human strength |
| Jer 17:5-8 | "Cursed is the man who trusts in man...Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD..." | Consequences of reliance on God vs. man |
| Joel 2:32 | "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved..." | Calling on God for deliverance |
| Zech 4:6 | "...Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." | Victory through divine Spirit |
| Eph 6:10 | "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." | Strength comes from the Lord |
| Phil 4:6-7 | "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." | Prayer precedes divine action |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." | Access to God's help through prayer |
| Jam 4:6 | "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" | Humility unlocks divine favor |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." | Reliance on God's care |
| Rom 8:31 | "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" | God's advocacy ensures victory |
2 Chronicles 14 verses
2 Chronicles 14 12 Meaning
This verse describes a profound divine intervention: the LORD Himself supernaturally inflicted defeat upon the formidable Ethiopian army before King Asa and the people of Judah, causing the Ethiopians to flee in disarray. It signifies that victory was not achieved by human strength or military might, but by God's direct action in response to faith and prayer.
2 Chronicles 14 12 Context
This verse is situated in the early reign of King Asa of Judah. Following a period of peace (2 Chr 14:1-7) during which Asa diligently sought the LORD and removed idolatry, Judah was confronted by an enormous invading army led by Zerah the Ethiopian (2 Chr 14:9). This force comprised "a million men and 300 chariots," presenting an utterly overwhelming numerical superiority against Asa's considerably smaller army of 580,000 (2 Chr 14:8). The immediate preceding verse (2 Chr 14:11) captures Asa's desperate yet unwavering prayer of faith to God, acknowledging Judah's utter helplessness and appealing to God's unparalleled power to help "whether with many, or with them that have no might." Verse 12 is the direct answer to this prayer, demonstrating God's immediate and decisive intervention in the face of such insurmountable odds. This historical event underscores the principle that human effort alone is insufficient and that divine intervention is both necessary and forthcoming when God's people genuinely rely on Him. It also serves as a polemic against the regional pagan beliefs that often attributed military success to the might of their deities or armies; instead, Yahweh is revealed as the sole and true source of power.
2 Chronicles 14 12 Word analysis
- So: (Hebrew: וַיִּגַּף, wa-yiggaph) – Connects this action directly to Asa's preceding prayer and the LORD's immediate response. It indicates a causal outcome.
- the LORD: (Hebrew: יהוה, Yahweh) – The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, active involvement and His faithfulness to His covenant people. It is not just a general divine power, but the specific, sovereign God of Israel. This highlights the theological core that Judah's victory was directly orchestrated by Yahweh.
- smote: (Hebrew: וַיִּגַּף, wa-yiggaph - a Niphal form of the verb נָגַף, nagaf) – This is a strong verb indicating a direct, decisive, and often calamitous striking or defeat, often implying a divine hand or a plague-like affliction. It is not merely 'defeated' but 'struck down' or 'inflicted with a plague-like defeat,' suggesting a supernatural element or confusion among the enemy ranks directly from God, beyond conventional warfare. This action contrasts sharply with the vast numbers of Zerah, showcasing divine power.
- the Ethiopians: (Hebrew: הַכּוּשִׁים, ha-Kūshīm) – Refers to the Cushites, people from ancient Cush (Nubia), south of Egypt. Historically known for their formidable warriors and military strength. The use of "the" indicates the specific, identifiable enemy force.
- before Asa: This phrase means in the presence or sight of Asa, but more significantly, it means on behalf of or for the benefit of Asa. Asa was the chosen vessel of faith through whom God worked, underscoring the king's central role in seeking God's favor.
- and before Judah: Extends the "on behalf of" aspect to include the entire kingdom and people. The victory was for their protection and the demonstration of God's power to all. It united the nation in witnessing this divine deliverance.
- and the Ethiopians fled: (Hebrew: וַיָּנֻסוּ, wa-yānusū) – This signifies a complete and panicked retreat, confirming the total routing of the enemy army. It implies disorder and a lack of organized resistance after being struck by the LORD.
2 Chronicles 14 12 Bonus section
The historical accounts of ancient warfare show that the presence of even slightly larger forces often demoralized the enemy. For a smaller army like Asa's to face a force more than three times its size (considering Asa's 580,000 against Zerah's 1,000,000 infantry alone, not counting the 300 chariots), the only logical outcome, from a human perspective, would have been crushing defeat. The specific wording "the LORD smote" leaves no ambiguity: this was a miraculous defeat orchestrated directly by God. It wasn't simply a well-executed strategy by Asa's army but a direct divine action that caused panic and disarray among the Ethiopians, leading to their catastrophic flight. This battle also validated Asa's early religious reforms and encouraged his nation to continue in obedience and trust towards God. However, later in his reign (2 Chr 16), Asa showed less reliance on God, illustrating that consistent faith is an ongoing walk.
2 Chronicles 14 12 Commentary
2 Chronicles 14:12 stands as a powerful testament to the sovereignty of God and the efficacy of sincere faith. The verse encapsulates a moment where an overwhelmingly superior military force (one million men) was utterly routed, not by human might, but by a direct, supernatural blow from "the LORD." The term "smote" (nagaf) conveys a decisive divine judgment or plague, implying that the victory was beyond Judah's military capability, aligning perfectly with Asa's earlier prayer that acknowledged God's ability to help "whether with many, or with them that have no might." This divine intervention demonstrated that God fights for those who wholeheartedly rely on Him, providing victory when human resources are insufficient. It reinforces the theological principle that trust in Yahweh, rather than military power or numerical advantage, is the true path to deliverance. For believers, it serves as an enduring reminder that insurmountable odds become insignificant when God steps in, encouraging fervent prayer and complete reliance on His strength in every challenge.