2 Chronicles 14 9

2 Chronicles 14:9 kjv

And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.

2 Chronicles 14:9 nkjv

Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah.

2 Chronicles 14:9 niv

Zerah the Cushite marched out against them with an army of thousands upon thousands and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah.

2 Chronicles 14:9 esv

Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and came as far as Mareshah.

2 Chronicles 14:9 nlt

Once an Ethiopian named Zerah attacked Judah with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. They advanced to the town of Mareshah,

2 Chronicles 14 verses

2 Chronicles 14 9 Meaning

2 Chronicles 14:9 details a massive military confrontation, specifically the formidable threat posed to King Asa of Judah by Zerah the Ethiopian. It highlights the overwhelming numerical superiority of Zerah's invading army, consisting of "a thousand thousand men" (one million men) and three hundred chariots, and pinpoints their advance to Mareshah. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic display of divine intervention, emphasizing Judah's dire situation against human might, thereby underscoring the necessity and power of God's aid.

2 Chronicles 14 9 Context

Chapter 14 opens with King Asa's righteous reign after the turbulent rule of Abijah. Asa demonstrates faithfulness by initiating religious reforms, removing idolatrous practices, breaking down pagan altars and high places, and commanding Judah to seek the Lord and obey His law (2 Chron 14:2-4). This period of seeking God brings peace and prosperity to the land (2 Chron 14:5-7), allowing Asa to fortify cities and build up his army, but notably, this prosperity is because the Lord gave him rest. Verse 9 then abruptly introduces an immense foreign threat—Zerah the Ethiopian and his colossal army. This military crisis serves as a direct challenge to Asa's newfound faith and the nation's reliance on God, providing the ultimate test of whether their trust lies in their own defenses or in the divine protector. The invasion reaching Mareshah, a strategic city in the Judean lowlands (Shephelah), signifies the gravity and deep penetration of the threat, indicating that Judah's heartland was now vulnerable.

2 Chronicles 14 9 Word analysis

• And Zerah the Ethiopian:
  • Zerah (זֶרַח, Zerah): Meaning "brightness" or "dawning." This is the commander's name.
  • the Ethiopian (הַכּוּשִׁי, hakKûshî): Refers to a person from Cush (Nubia/Ethiopia), located south of Egypt. Historically, Cush had significant military power, sometimes allied with or even ruling Egypt (as the 25th Dynasty of Egypt was Nubian). This identification emphasizes a formidable and distant foe, signifying an invasion from beyond Judah's typical border skirmishes, indicating a large-scale international threat. The term 'Ethiopian' also carries connotations of a powerful, distinct people in biblical narratives (e.g., Jer 13:23).
• came out against them:
  • Signifies a deliberate and aggressive military offensive. The movement implies a full-scale invasion, not just a raid.
• with an army of a thousand thousand men:
  • army (חַיִל, chayil): This word signifies military strength, valor, wealth, or power. It's not just "men" but a fully equipped, robust fighting force.
  • a thousand thousand (אֶלֶף אֲלָפִים, elef alaphim): Literally "thousand of thousands." This is usually interpreted as one million (1,000 x 1,000). While often viewed as a literal numerical figure by many biblical accounts, some scholars consider such large numbers in ancient Near Eastern texts to be symbolic of an "immeasurable" or "overwhelming" multitude, emphasizing the human impossibility of overcoming such a force without divine intervention. Regardless of literalness, the intent is clear: an unfathomable numerical disadvantage for Judah. This hyper-emphasis on the enemy's numbers dramatically highlights God's ensuing miraculous victory. It's a rhetorical device to magnify God's power.
• and three hundred chariots:
  • chariots (רֶכֶב, rekhev): War chariots were the elite striking force of ancient armies, akin to modern tanks. Possessing 300 chariots signified immense military wealth and technological superiority, indicating a highly advanced and devastating fighting force. Such numbers were indicative of a great empire's capabilities (e.g., Egypt, Mesopotamia).
• and he came as far as Mareshah:
  • Mareshah (מָרֵשָׁה, Maresha): An ancient and strategically important city in the Shephelah (lowlands) of Judah. Its location in a valley leading up to the Judean hills made it a crucial gateway city. Zerah's arrival here indicates a deep penetration into Judean territory, far past border fortifications, presenting an imminent threat to Jerusalem itself and highlighting the vulnerability of the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 14 9 Bonus section

• Polemics against Human Strength: The mention of "a thousand thousand men and three hundred chariots" can be seen as an indirect polemic against reliance on human military strength. It challenges the common ancient Near Eastern belief that superior numbers or weaponry guarantee victory, emphasizing instead that true victory comes from divine favor. This theme is common in the books of Chronicles, which often highlight the direct correlation between Judah's faithfulness and God's intervention in battle.
• Chronicles' Perspective on Warfare: The Chronicler consistently presents warfare not just as geopolitical conflict, but as a spiritual contest. God is actively involved, delivering victories when His people are faithful, and allowing defeat when they turn away. This verse sets up an example of the former, directly linking Asa's previous faithfulness (2 Chron 14:2-8) to the future outcome of the battle, highlighting God's faithfulness in upholding His covenant.
• Mareshah's Significance: Being a strategically important city in the Shephelah, its penetration signifies not just a border incursion but a full-scale invasion aimed at the heart of Judah. Its presence sets the stage for a battle that would decide the fate of the nation. Archaeologically, Mareshah was a robustly fortified city, making Zerah's arrival there a significant achievement from a military standpoint, further emphasizing the gravity of the threat.

2 Chronicles 14 9 Commentary

2 Chronicles 14:9 lays the foundation for one of Judah's most profound testimonies to divine intervention. Zerah the Ethiopian's invasion, marked by a million men and three hundred chariots, presented an unparalleled existential threat. This detail isn't merely historical; it serves a crucial theological purpose: to underscore the absolute human impossibility of victory without God. Asa, having walked faithfully before the Lord, had built up his kingdom in a period of peace, yet even with his preparations, he was militarily overwhelmed. This disparity between human capacity and divine capability forms the heart of the narrative. The presence of the Ethiopian, a distant and powerful foe, amplified the sense of inevitability of defeat. The advance to Mareshah signifies the severity of the crisis, pushing Judah to the brink. This verse, therefore, sets up a contrast between vast human resources and the singular power of God, preparing the reader for Asa's prayer and God's miraculous deliverance in the subsequent verses, serving as a powerful lesson on divine sovereignty and the effectiveness of trusting faith.

• Example: Imagine facing an impossible situation at work or in life, where the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against you. This verse reminds us that it's precisely in such moments of human limitation that God's power is most visibly demonstrated when we turn to Him.