2 Chronicles 14:15 kjv
They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 14:15 nkjv
They also attacked the livestock enclosures, and carried off sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 14:15 niv
They also attacked the camps of the herders and carried off droves of sheep and goats and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 14:15 esv
And they struck down the tents of those who had livestock and carried away sheep in abundance and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 14:15 nlt
They also attacked the camps of herdsmen and captured many sheep, goats, and camels before finally returning to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 14 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 3:21-22 | "...I will give this people favor... when ye go, ye shall not go empty..." | God provides plunder from enemies. |
| Exod 12:35-36 | "...asked of the Egyptians jewels... gold... raiment... plundered..." | Israelites took spoil from Egyptians. |
| Deut 6:10-11 | "...houses full of good things... wells... vineyards... olive trees..." | God gives blessings and enemy possessions. |
| Deut 28:1-8 | "...the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous... fruit of thy cattle..." | Blessing for obedience includes prosperity. |
| Deut 28:11-12 | "...the Lord shall make thee plenteous... in the fruit of thy cattle..." | God's blessing provides abundant livestock. |
| Josh 8:26-27 | "...Joshua drew not back his hand... until he had utterly destroyed... the spoil..." | Completeness of victory with spoil. |
| Josh 11:14 | "...the spoil of these cities... and the cattle, did Israel take..." | Plundering enemies after a victory. |
| Judg 8:20-21 | "...Zebah and Zalmunna... took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks." | Spoil included valuable camel adornments. |
| 1 Sam 30:19-20 | "...David recovered all... sheep... cattle... taken nothing away... for David took all." | Recovering and gaining plunder. |
| 2 Kgs 3:24 | "...the Moabites were overcome before them... slew the Moabites, and smote the cities..." | Thorough defeat and destruction of enemy. |
| 2 Chron 13:18 | "...the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God..." | Victory tied to reliance on God. |
| 2 Chron 14:11 | "...O LORD... save us... for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go..." | Asa's prayer emphasizing trust in God. |
| 2 Chron 16:8-9 | "...were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host... but because thou didst rely on the LORD..." | Recalling the immense force Asa faced. |
| Ps 20:7 | "...Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name..." | Trust in God, not military might. |
| Ps 27:3 | "...Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear..." | Confidence in God despite overwhelming odds. |
| Ps 44:5 | "...Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name..." | God granting victory over adversaries. |
| Ps 68:12 | "...Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil." | The spoil taken after God's victory. |
| Ps 122:3-4 | "...Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: whither the tribes go up..." | Reference to Jerusalem as a destination. |
| Isa 60:5-6 | "...the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee... camels shall cover thee..." | Future prophecy of wealth and camels. |
| Zech 14:14 | "...the wealth of all the heathen round about, gold, and silver, and apparel..." | Future spoil of nations given by God. |
| Eph 6:10 | "...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." | Reminder of divine strength for battle. |
| Phil 4:19 | "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches..." | God's provision for His people. |
2 Chronicles 14 verses
2 Chronicles 14 15 Meaning
2 Chronicles 14:15 describes the extensive plunder taken by the army of Judah after God granted King Asa a decisive victory over the massive Cushite force. It details how the Judeans not only defeated the enemy combatants but also attacked their non-military assets, specifically nomadic encampments ("tents of cattle"), from which they seized a vast quantity of livestock, particularly sheep and camels. This abundance of spoils was then triumphantly brought back to Jerusalem, signifying the completeness of their victory and God's abundant blessing.
2 Chronicles 14 15 Context
2 Chronicles Chapter 14 details the early, God-blessed years of King Asa's reign over Judah. Following the previous chapter which narrated Abijah's victory, Asa strengthens the kingdom, removes idolatry, and builds fortified cities, ushering in a period of peace (2 Chron 14:1-7). However, this peace is broken by Zerah the Cushite, who attacks Judah with an enormous army of a "thousand thousand" men and 300 chariots (2 Chron 14:8-9). Overwhelmed, Asa desperately cries out to the Lord, acknowledging Judah's weakness and God's immense power (2 Chron 14:11). In response to Asa's faith, God strikes down the Cushites before Judah, leading to a complete rout (2 Chron 14:12-13). Verse 15 elaborates on the consequences of this divinely given victory, detailing the vast spoils taken from the retreating and disorganized Cushite forces and their associated camps. This abundance underscores the tangible benefits of trusting in the Lord and the completeness of His deliverance.
2 Chronicles 14 15 Word analysis
- And they smote: Hebrew: וַיַּכּוּ (vayyakku), from הִכּוּ (hikku), the Hifil perfect of נָכָה (nakah), meaning to strike, smite, defeat, or attack. "They" refers to the army of Judah, led by King Asa. This verb implies a forceful, decisive, and even violent engagement, indicating not just a simple taking of items but an attack upon the source or possessors of these items. It signifies a thorough conquering of the enemy's operational capacity, beyond merely their fighting men.
- also the tents of cattle: Hebrew: אָהֳלֵי מִקְנֶה (ahôley miqneh).
- אָהֳלֵי (ahôley): "tents of." This refers to temporary dwellings or encampments, characteristic of nomadic or semi-nomadic groups. In a military context, these would likely be the supply or logistical camps, potentially housing families or servants, and certainly livestock crucial for sustenance and transport.
- מִקְנֶה (miqneh): "livestock, possession, cattle, flocks." This is a broad term encompassing herd animals like sheep, goats, and cattle. The phrase "tents of cattle" signifies attacking not just the enemy's armed forces but their valuable economic assets and the infrastructure that supported them, indicating a total victory and deprivation of the enemy's resources.
- and carried away: Hebrew: וַיִּשְׂאוּ (vayyiśʾu), Qal waw-consecutive imperfect of נָשָׂא (nasaʾ), meaning to lift, bear, carry, or take. This emphasizes the act of appropriating and transporting the acquired goods back. It highlights the success in not only defeating the enemy but also in securing the plunder.
- sheep and camels: Hebrew: צֹאן וּגְמַלִּים (tso'n u-g'mallim).
- צֹאן (tso'n): "sheep, flocks." This can include goats as well. They were a primary form of wealth, sustenance, and sacrificial animals in ancient Near Eastern economies.
- וּגְמַלִּים (u-g'mallim): "and camels." Camels were invaluable for their ability to carry heavy loads over long distances and endure harsh desert conditions, making them extremely valuable assets for travel, trade, and military logistics. The explicit mention of both types signifies the immense and diverse material wealth acquired.
- in abundance: Hebrew: לָרֹב (la-rov), literally "to abundance" or "greatly," "in great quantity." This adverbial phrase emphasizes the sheer vastness and overwhelming quantity of the spoil taken. It points to God's exceedingly generous blessing and the devastating completeness of the enemy's defeat, providing a material reward for Asa's trust and obedience.
- and returned to Jerusalem: Hebrew: וַיָּשֻׁבוּ לִירוּשָׁלַם (vayyashuvu l-Y'rushalayim). Qal waw-consecutive imperfect of שׁוּב (shuv), to return. This signifies the successful conclusion of the military campaign and the secure transport of the extensive spoils back to the capital city. Their return to Jerusalem marks the re-establishment of peace and prosperity, highlighting the Lord's protective hand over His people and their land. It demonstrates the tangible benefit of their faithfulness.
2 Chronicles 14 15 Bonus section
The account in 2 Chronicles 14, culminating in the plunder described in verse 15, stands as a polemic against the strength of human armies and a testament to the omnipotence of the God of Israel. In a world where might made right and national gods were often tied to their armies' successes, Judah's victory and the immense plunder (especially of nomadic camps, which often escaped full destruction in typical battles) proclaimed the superiority of YHWH. He was shown to be greater than any god or military power of Cush, able to strip a formidable foe of their wealth and sustenance, giving it freely to His covenant people. This event resonated with the broader Old Testament theme of God enriching His people at the expense of their oppressors, seen clearly in the Exodus from Egypt.
2 Chronicles 14 15 Commentary
2 Chronicles 14:15 is a vital verse in the narrative of King Asa's reign, vividly illustrating the tangible outcome of divine intervention when God's people trust Him wholeheartedly. Following Asa's prayer of desperate reliance, God granted an impossible victory against Zerah the Cushite's million-man army. This verse details the aftermath, emphasizing that the victory was not merely a defensive stand but a decisive triumph resulting in immense spoils. The attacking of "tents of cattle" shows the depth of the rout; it was not just a battle on the field, but a disruption and plunder of the enemy's economic and logistical backbone. The "abundance" of sheep and camels underscores God's generous provision, turning a moment of extreme threat into one of overwhelming blessing. This historical event serves as a powerful demonstration that God blesses and provides for those who lean on Him completely, turning their weakness into an occasion for His strength and generosity to be revealed, securing their peace and prosperity.