2 Chronicles 17 12

2 Chronicles 17:12 kjv

And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

2 Chronicles 17:12 nkjv

So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah.

2 Chronicles 17:12 niv

Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah

2 Chronicles 17:12 esv

And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities,

2 Chronicles 17:12 nlt

So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful and built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah.

2 Chronicles 17 verses

2 Chronicles 17 12 Meaning

2 Chronicles 17:12 describes the unparalleled growth and strengthening of King Jehoshaphat's reign in Judah. Due to his preceding devotion to the Lord, as detailed in the earlier verses of the chapter, he experienced profound prosperity and established formidable military and economic infrastructure within his kingdom. This verse highlights his continuous and extraordinary increase in power, demonstrated by the proliferation of heavily fortified "castles" (or fortresses) and "cities of store" throughout Judah, ensuring both defense and sustained provisions for the nation.

2 Chronicles 17 12 Context

The verse is nestled within the account of King Jehoshaphat's early reign, specifically in 2 Chronicles chapter 17. The Chronicler meticulously outlines Jehoshaphat's righteous actions before detailing his subsequent prosperity and power. Verses 3-6 emphasize that Jehoshaphat walked in the "earlier ways of David," his forefather, seeking the Lord, not the Baal idols. He purged high places and Asherim, taught the Law of the Lord throughout Judah (vv. 7-9), and had the Levites instruct the people. This unwavering devotion led to a divinely induced "dread of the Lord" falling upon surrounding nations (v. 10), ensuring peace. Verse 12 thus presents the direct, tangible result of this spiritual and administrative faithfulness: immense personal and national growth and consolidation of power through strategic building projects. Historically, Judah was a small kingdom often surrounded by larger, more hostile powers. Thus, strength, fortified cities, and adequate provisions were vital for survival and defense, underscoring the practical significance of God's blessing manifested in these terms.

2 Chronicles 17 12 Word analysis

• And Jehoshaphat (וַיְהִי יְהוֹשָׁפָט - way'hî Yəhôšāp̄āṭ): "Jehoshaphat" means "Yahweh has judged" or "Yahweh judges." The phrase opens with the simple conjunction "and," connecting his growing strength directly to the previously mentioned obedience. His name, carrying the name of God, highlights the divine connection to his success.

• waxed great exceedingly (הוֹלֵךְ וְגָדֵל עַד־לְמַעְלָה - hôlēḵ wəḡāḏēl ʿaḏ-ləmaʿlâ):

  • waxed great (הוֹלֵךְ וְגָדֵל - hôlēḵ wəḡāḏēl): Literally "going and growing." This is a Hebrew idiomatic expression (a progressive participle) signifying continuous, sustained, and progressive increase, rather than a single event. It conveys a dynamic, escalating process. It implies an unfolding growth that was observable and constant.
  • exceedingly (עַד־לְמַעְלָה - ʿaḏ-ləmaʿlâ): Literally "unto upward" or "to the top/most high." It signifies an ultimate, supreme, or unparalleled degree of greatness. This adverbial phrase amplifies the "growing" to an extraordinary, unmatched level, emphasizing the superlative nature of his increase in power and influence. The combination describes a sustained ascent to supreme national power.

• and he had in Judah (וַיְהִי־לוֹ בִּיהוּדָה - way'hî-lō bîhûḏāh): This phrase indicates the personal possession and control by Jehoshaphat, placing the results of his greatness firmly within the geographical and political boundaries of his kingdom, Judah. It signifies consolidation and internalization of national strength.

• castles (בִּירוֹת - bîrôt): These are not merely residential buildings but strongholds, citadels, fortified palaces, or fortresses. They were strategically important military installations, indicating significant defensive infrastructure. The plural "castles" points to widespread fortification across Judah, making the nation more secure and resilient against invasion.

• and cities of store (וְעָרֵי מִסְכְּנוֹת - wəʿārê miskənōṯ):

  • cities of store (עָרֵי מִסְכְּנוֹת - ʿārê miskənōṯ): These were special urban centers designated for accumulating and housing vast quantities of resources—food, weapons, armor, chariots, and other essential supplies—to sustain the army and the populace, especially during times of war or siege. The term miskənōṯ (stores/treasuries) implies wealth and strategic reserves.
  • The establishment of "cities of store" reflects foresight, good administration, and robust economic activity under Jehoshaphat's rule. They indicate preparedness, self-sufficiency, and the capacity for prolonged defense or offensive campaigns.

• Words-group analysis: The phrase "waxed great exceedingly" implies divine favor and an unfolding process, contrasting with a sudden surge. The specific mention of "castles" and "cities of store" shifts from abstract greatness to concrete manifestations of power and wealth. It underscores a balanced approach: spiritual fidelity leading to a divinely secured, practically prepared kingdom. This preparedness included not just military might but also logistical and economic robustness, which was crucial for sustained national power in ancient times.

2 Chronicles 17 12 Bonus section

The chronicler often presents an ideal picture of kings who, when obedient, receive abundant blessings and, conversely, those who turn from God experience downfall. Jehoshaphat's story in chapter 17 is a prime example of this principle, demonstrating how devotion leads directly to power, wealth, and security. The mention of "castles" and "cities of store" shows a balanced growth: internal spiritual reform resulted in external military and economic might, emphasizing that true national strength flows from divine blessing that also equips for practical preparedness. This also implicitly critiques the common ancient Near Eastern belief that powerful kings gained their strength from polytheistic deities or brute force; instead, Jehoshaphat's ascendancy is explicitly from the God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 17 12 Commentary

2 Chronicles 17:12 functions as a capstone, vividly illustrating the promised blessings for obedience found throughout Scripture, particularly in the Deuteronomistic theology prevalent in Chronicles. Following Jehoshaphat's commitment to the Lord and his zealous promotion of the Mosaic Law throughout Judah, this verse directly connects his "waxing great exceedingly" to that faithfulness. This greatness was not merely an abstract rise in status, but a tangible manifestation of divine favor through extensive military infrastructure (castles/fortresses) and economic stability (store cities). These fortifications provided defensive strength, while the store cities ensured sustained national capacity, critical for both war and peace. The Chronicler emphasizes that this prosperity was continuous and extraordinary, a clear demonstration of Yahweh establishing and strengthening His faithful king and nation, thereby also acting as a polemic against reliance on human strength or pagan deities for national success. It highlights the principle that when leadership diligently seeks God and guides the people according to His commands, both the ruler and the nation flourish under divine blessing and provision.