2 Chronicles 17:10 kjv
And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 17:10 nkjv
And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 17:10 niv
The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 17:10 esv
And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 17:10 nlt
Then the fear of the LORD fell over all the surrounding kingdoms so that none of them wanted to declare war on Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 17 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Fear of the Lord: wisdom's start |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge... | Fear of the Lord: knowledge's foundation |
| Isa 11:2 | The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. | Fear of the Lord as a divine attribute |
| Gen 35:5 | And they journeyed, and the terror of God was on the cities that were around them... | God placing terror on surrounding nations |
| Exod 15:15-16 | Then were the chiefs of Edom dismayed; ...terror and dread fell upon them... | Divine terror paralyzing enemies |
| Deut 28:7 | The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you... | God promises defeat for enemies of the obedient |
| Deut 28:10 | And all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. | Nations fearing God's people due to His presence |
| 1 Sam 14:15 | And there was a panic in the camp... | Divine panic striking enemies |
| 2 Chr 14:7 | He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest... | Peace through trust and fortifying |
| 2 Chr 17:3-6 | The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David... | Jehoshaphat's righteousness leading to blessing |
| 2 Chr 15:5 | In those times there was no peace... | Lack of peace without divine favor |
| Josh 2:9 | I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that dread of you has fallen upon us... | Dread on enemies acknowledged by Rahab |
| Josh 5:1 | And when all the kings of the Amorites... heard how the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan... their hearts melted... | Enemy fear due to God's mighty acts |
| Neh 6:16 | When all our enemies heard of it... they lost their confidence, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished by our God. | Enemies recognizing God's hand in Israel's success |
| Prov 16:7 | When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. | God making enemies at peace with the righteous |
| Isa 54:17 | No weapon that is formed against you will prosper... | Divine protection from all harm |
| Jer 23:5-6 | A righteous Branch... In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. | Future peace under righteous rule |
| Zech 8:10 | For before these days there was no wages for man... and I set every man against his fellow. | Contrasting disunity without God's blessing |
| Ps 91:3 | For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. | God's deliverance and protection |
| Rom 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's powerful advocacy for His people |
| Heb 12:28-29 | Serve God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. | The proper awe (fear) towards God's power |
2 Chronicles 17 verses
2 Chronicles 17 10 Meaning
2 Chronicles 17:10 states that as a result of King Jehoshaphat's devotion and reforms, a profound fear of the Lord descended upon the kingdoms surrounding Judah. This divinely imposed terror prevented them from initiating any military action against Jehoshaphat, ensuring peace and security for Judah. It highlights divine protection as a consequence of national righteousness and trust in God.
2 Chronicles 17 10 Context
This verse is situated within the narrative of King Jehoshaphat's reign in Judah. Chapter 17 opens by describing Jehoshaphat's commitment to walking in the ways of his father David, not seeking the Baals but seeking the Lord God. He strengthened his kingdom by fortifying cities and stationing troops, but crucially, he also actively promoted the teaching of the Law of the Lord throughout Judah by sending out priests, Levites, and officials. Verse 10 acts as a climactic consequence of this devotion and strategic obedience. The peace enjoyed by Judah was not solely due to military might or diplomatic alliances but fundamentally stemmed from the fear of God instilled by divine intervention into the hearts of their surrounding adversaries. This reflects a recurring theme in Chronicles and the broader Old Testament: prosperity and security are direct results of covenant faithfulness.
2 Chronicles 17 10 Word analysis
- And the fear: Hebrew: וַיְהִי֩ פַחַד־ יְהוָ֨ה (vayhi pachad-Yahweh).
- וַיְהִי (vayhi): "And it was," "And it came to pass." A common Hebrew conjunction indicating sequence and outcome.
- פַחַד (pachad): "fear," "dread," "terror," "awe." This word often signifies an intense, often paralyzing, dread, particularly when divinely induced. Unlike yirah (יראה) which can denote reverence, pachad often points to outright terror that disables enemies from action. Its usage here emphasizes God's active hand in striking panic into Judah's adversaries, rendering them harmless.
- יְהוָ֨ה (Yahweh): "Lord." The covenant name of God, indicating His personal involvement and power. It's not a generic deity but the specific God of Israel. The fear is explicitly "of Yahweh," not a general or psychological fear.
- of the Lord fell upon: Hebrew: נָפַ֖ל עַל (nafál 'al).
- נָפַל (nafál): "fell," "to fall." This verb is dynamic and implies a direct, unmediated action. The fear wasn't gradual or naturally occurring; it "fell" suddenly and decisively, demonstrating God's direct imposition and sovereignty over other nations.
- עַל ('al): "upon," "over." Indicates the direct object of the "falling."
- all the kingdoms: Hebrew: כָּל־מַמְלְכ֥וֹת (kol-mamlekhót).
- כָּל (kol): "all," "every." Emphasizes the comprehensive scope of this divine action, not just one or two nations but "all" the kingdoms.
- מַמְלְכ֥וֹת (mamlekhót): "kingdoms." Plural, denoting the various independent states surrounding Judah, amplifying the scale of God's influence.
- of the lands: Hebrew: הָאֲרָצ֑וֹת (ha'aratsót).
- הָאֲרָצ֑וֹת (ha'aratsót): "the lands," "the countries." Synonymous with the kingdoms, further clarifying the geographical reach.
- that were round about Judah: Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר֙ סְבִיב֣וֹת יְהוּדָ֔ה ('ashér sevivot Yehudah).
- אֲשֶׁר (asher): "that," "which."
- סְבִיב֣וֹת (sevivot): "around," "round about." Clearly defines the scope of nations affected – those geographically bordering Judah.
- יְהוּדָ֔ה (Yehudah): "Judah." The specific target of protection and the domain of Jehoshaphat.
- so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat: Hebrew: וְלֹֽא־נִלְחֲמ֖וּ עִם־יְהוֹשָׁפָֽט (vlo'-nilchamú 'im-Yehosháphat).
- וְלֹֽא (vlo'): "and not." Negative conjunction indicating the direct consequence of the fear.
- נִלְחֲמ֖וּ (nilchamú): "they warred," "they fought." From lacham (לחם), "to fight." The Niphal form ("they made war") indicates a cessation of hostile action.
- עִם ('im): "with," "against."
- יְהוֹשָׁפָֽט (Yehosháphat): "Jehoshaphat." The king's name, confirming that the peace was directly for him and his reign.
2 Chronicles 17 10 Bonus section
- The placement of this verse, after Jehoshaphat's commitment to teaching the Law, underscores the direct link between national obedience to God's Word and divine blessing/protection. This isn't just about the king's piety but the nation's spiritual revival.
- This verse can be seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament covenant promises related to security and prosperity for those who walk in God's statutes (e.g., Lev 26:6; Deut 28:1-14).
- The supernatural element of fear falling upon nations is a recurring divine strategy throughout Israel's history, highlighting God's power over human will and political designs. He is able to manipulate circumstances and even the hearts of kings for the good of His people.
- This peace provided by God allowed for the socio-spiritual growth mentioned later in Jehoshaphat's reign (e.g., his judicial reforms in 2 Chr 19:4-11), showing that God grants favorable conditions for spiritual flourishing when His people prioritize Him.
2 Chronicles 17 10 Commentary
2 Chronicles 17:10 serves as a powerful theological statement about divine sovereignty and protection. The verse reveals that the security Judah enjoyed under King Jehoshaphat was not primarily a result of his impressive military reforms or his strong fortifications (though these were also undertaken as prudent actions), but due to a direct, supernatural intervention by Yahweh. The "fear of the Lord" (פַחַד־יְהוָה, pachad-Yahweh) here implies more than reverential awe; it refers to a divinely instilled terror that incapacitated Judah's enemies. This "falling" of fear signifies a direct, unmediated act of God, akin to the panic and dread He placed on other nations at critical moments in Israel's history (e.g., in the wilderness, before Jericho). The result was profound and practical: peace for Jehoshaphat's reign, allowing him to focus on strengthening the kingdom and, critically, on further spiritual reforms like teaching the Law. This exemplifies a core Old Testament principle: when God's people walk in His ways and honor Him, He fights their battles and brings peace from all sides. It underscores that true security for a nation or an individual comes not from worldly power alone, but from God's favor.