2 Chronicles 17:11 kjv
Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
2 Chronicles 17:11 nkjv
Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
2 Chronicles 17:11 niv
Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats.
2 Chronicles 17:11 esv
Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats.
2 Chronicles 17:11 nlt
Some of the Philistines brought him gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.
2 Chronicles 17 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chron 17:5 | "Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat..." | Lord's establishment leads to gifts/tribute. |
| 2 Chron 17:10 | "Now the dread of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands..." | Fear of God causing respect/submission. |
| 1 Kgs 4:21 | "And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines and as far as the border of Egypt; they brought tribute..." | Similar widespread tribute to a blessed king. |
| Psa 72:10 | "The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring presents..." | Kings bringing tribute as a sign of blessing. |
| Isa 49:23 | "Kings shall be your foster fathers... and bow down to you..." | Nations honoring God's chosen. |
| Deut 28:1-2 | "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD... that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth." | Blessings for obedience include dominance. |
| Deut 28:7 | "The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you." | Enemies becoming tributary states or subject. |
| 1 Kgs 10:25 | "Every man brought his present, articles of silver and gold..." | Gifts/tribute given to Solomon. |
| 2 Kgs 3:4 | "Mesha king of Moab was a sheepbreeder, and he regularly paid the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams." | Other nations paid tribute in livestock. |
| 1 Sam 10:27 | "But some scoundrels said, 'How can this man save us?'... And they brought him no presents." | Lack of tribute signifies lack of recognition/submission. |
| Isa 60:5-6 | "...then you shall see and become radiant... the wealth of the nations shall come to you... All those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense..." | Prophecy of future nations bringing wealth. |
| Mic 7:16 | "The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; they shall put their hand over their mouth..." | Nations awed and subdued by God's people. |
| 2 Sam 8:2 | "He also defeated Moab. He made them lie down on the ground..." | Conquered nations often paid tribute. |
| Neh 13:20 | "Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice." | Trade interactions also show international relations. |
| Ezra 7:21 | "And I, Artaxerxes the king, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the region beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, may require of you, let it be done diligently." | Foreign powers supporting God's work. |
| Acts 8:27 | "...and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury..." | Indicates interaction/tribute-like situations with foreign nations. |
| Rom 13:7 | "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor." | Principle of legitimate payments/tribute. |
| Eph 1:22 | "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church..." | All earthly power subject to God's ultimate authority. |
| Phil 2:10 | "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and on earth..." | Universal recognition and submission to divine authority. |
| Rev 21:24 | "The nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it." | Future submission and contribution from all nations. |
| Gen 12:2 | "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great..." | God's blessing leads to prominence and influence. |
| Prov 29:26 | "Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the LORD." | Rulers sought out for their power and favor. |
2 Chronicles 17 verses
2 Chronicles 17 11 Meaning
The verse 2 Chronicles 17:11 describes the extensive recognition and tribute Jehoshaphat received from surrounding nations, specifically the Philistines and Arabs. This was a direct result of the Lord's favor and Jehoshaphat's commitment to Him, as mentioned in the preceding verses. The Philistines brought valuable gifts and silver as tribute, acknowledging Jehoshaphat's growing power. The Arabs, known for their livestock, contributed a vast quantity of rams and male goats. This highlights the prosperity and respect accorded to Jehoshaphat's kingdom, showcasing divine blessing on a righteous king who sought the Lord.
2 Chronicles 17 11 Context
2 Chronicles Chapter 17 details the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. He is presented as a king who "sought the Lord" (v. 4) and walked in the "ways of his father David" (v. 3). His reign was marked by efforts to eradicate idolatry, fortify cities, maintain a strong military, and importantly, establish a widespread program of religious instruction throughout Judah, sending priests and Levites to teach the Law of the Lord (v. 7-9). Verse 10 explicitly states, "Now the dread of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat." This verse (17:11) directly follows and illustrates the consequence of this divine awe: the Philistines and Arabs, nations that traditionally posed a threat or were engaged in conflict with Israel, instead brought gifts and tribute, signifying peace, submission, and recognition of Jehoshaphat's divinely-supported strength and prosperity. Historically, nations in the ancient Near East often paid tribute as a sign of submission, protection, or acknowledgment of a greater power. This was a common practice indicating a dominant state and its vassals or subordinate neighbors.
2 Chronicles 17 11 Word analysis
- Also some of the Philistines: The Philistines were traditional adversaries of Israel, inhabiting the coastal plain. Their bringing "gifts" signifies a remarkable reversal of historical animosity, a direct consequence of the "dread of the Lord" upon surrounding nations (v. 10). This indicates submission rather than aggression, acknowledging Jehoshaphat's rising influence and divine favor.
- brought: (Hebrew: bōʾû, בָּאוּ) - "came" or "brought." It signifies their active, intentional arrival with the purpose of presenting goods.
- Jehoshaphat gifts: (Hebrew: mattānôṯ, מַתָּנוֹת) - "presents," "donations." These were not mere friendly offerings but carried the connotation of submission or acknowledgment of suzerainty in the ancient Near East. Such gifts often pre-empted military action or cemented alliances.
- and silver as tribute: (Hebrew: māśʾaṯ, מַשָּׂאת) - "burden," "present," "tribute." The addition of "silver as tribute" makes it clear that these gifts were not voluntary friendly exchanges but an obligatory payment acknowledging Jehoshaphat's superior position. Silver was a primary medium of exchange and value.
- And the Arabs: The Arabs here likely refer to semi-nomadic desert tribes inhabiting areas to the east or south of Judah. While not always directly hostile, their significant tribute indicates widespread recognition.
- brought him flocks: The term "flocks" (Hebrew: ṣōʾn, צֹאן) refers broadly to sheep and goats. For nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples, livestock represented their primary wealth and livelihood. The giving of livestock as tribute was common, especially for peoples whose economy was pastoral.
- seven thousand seven hundred rams: (Hebrew: ʾêlîm, אֵילִים) - mature male sheep. This is an immense number, reflecting vast pastoral wealth and significant tribute. The number "seven" often carries symbolic meaning in the Bible, representing completion, perfection, or fullness. The doubling emphasizes the massive quantity.
- and seven thousand seven hundred male goats: (Hebrew: ʿattûdîm, עַתּוּדִים) - male goats. Again, a staggering number. The symmetry with the rams underscores the magnitude of the offering and the Arabs' wealth.
- Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute": This phrase highlights the political shift due to divine favor. The Philistines, usually a threat, are now acknowledging Jehoshaphat's sovereignty through substantial payments. It underscores God's ability to turn adversaries into tributaries for His righteous servant.
- "And the Arabs brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats": This emphasizes the practical wealth and material prosperity that accompanied God's blessing on Jehoshaphat. The immense numerical tribute from a different geographical/economic group (pastoralists) reinforces the breadth and depth of Jehoshaphat's influence and the divine establishment of his kingdom. It reflects a peace and prosperity previously unknown in that degree.
2 Chronicles 17 11 Bonus section
The mention of "seven thousand seven hundred" for both rams and goats might carry symbolic weight. The number seven is frequently associated with divine completeness or perfection in biblical numerology. Its repetition and symmetry emphasize the immensity and completeness of the tribute, perhaps suggesting a perfect or full measure of God's blessing and the nations' submission. This large-scale tribute demonstrates that Jehoshaphat's economic prosperity was not merely domestic but extended to significant international wealth acquisition without bloodshed, solely as a result of divine favor. This stands in contrast to other kings who relied heavily on military might and conquest for such gains, reinforcing Jehoshaphat's unique approach rooted in faithfulness.
2 Chronicles 17 11 Commentary
2 Chronicles 17:11 serves as powerful evidence of the tangible blessings that flowed from King Jehoshaphat's diligent seeking of the Lord. The verse is not merely a record of economic transactions; it signifies divine intervention in geopolitical relations. The tribute from the Philistines and Arabs illustrates the fulfillment of God's promise that if Israel obeyed, they would be "above all nations" (Deut 28:1). It highlights a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity for Judah under Jehoshaphat's righteous rule, contrasting sharply with the continuous warfare that often plagued the region. This honor and wealth were not gained through aggressive conquest but rather were drawn to Jehoshaphat because "the dread of the Lord" fell upon the surrounding kingdoms (v. 10). This verse underscores the principle that when a ruler honors God, God honors that ruler, causing even traditional enemies or independent nations to acknowledge their divinely-granted authority and strength.