2 Chronicles 17 14

2 Chronicles 17:14 kjv

And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand.

2 Chronicles 17:14 nkjv

These are their numbers, according to their fathers' houses. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor;

2 Chronicles 17:14 niv

Their enrollment by families was as follows: From Judah, commanders of units of 1,000: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 fighting men;

2 Chronicles 17:14 esv

This was the muster of them by fathers' houses: Of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 mighty men of valor;

2 Chronicles 17:14 nlt

His army was enrolled according to ancestral clans. From Judah there were 300,000 troops organized in units of 1,000, under the command of Adnah.

2 Chronicles 17 verses

2 Chronicles 17 14 Meaning

2 Chronicles 17:14 details one of the divisions of King Jehoshaphat's army, specifically mentioning Adnah as its chief or commander, and noting that he commanded 300,000 "mighty men of valor." This verse illustrates the immense military strength Judah achieved under Jehoshaphat's righteous reign, which was a direct consequence of his devotion to the Lord, making his kingdom a formidable power in the region and instilling fear in surrounding nations.

2 Chronicles 17 14 Context

2 Chronicles Chapter 17 describes the prosperous and powerful reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Having succeeded his father Asa, Jehoshaphat embarked on a program of spiritual revival, removing pagan practices, and reinforcing the religious education of his people by sending Levites and priests throughout Judah to teach the Law of the Lord. His primary focus was seeking the Lord and walking in His commandments, which resulted in divine favor. As a direct outcome of his piety and dedication to God, the Lord established the kingdom firmly in his hand, bringing peace, prosperity, and military strength. Verses 12-19 meticulously list the various divisions of Jehoshaphat's standing army, commanded by valiant men from each tribe, emphasizing the vast numbers of disciplined warriors. Verse 14 specifically itemizes Adnah and his contingent of 300,000 "mighty men of valor," contributing to the overall impression of a well-organized and massive military force, whose existence instilled fear in the surrounding nations (2 Chr 17:10). This context highlights that Judah's strength was not merely physical, but divinely granted due to the king's righteous leadership.

2 Chronicles 17 14 Word analysis

• And of Adnah (וּבְיַד עַדְנָה uveyad Adnah):

  • Adnah (עַדְנָה): A proper name. The root עֶדֶן (eden) relates to 'delight' or 'pleasure.' The name might suggest a personal quality or be purely descriptive. In biblical context, names often hold significance, but here it primarily functions as identifying a key commander. This is Adnah the Levite, not to be confused with other individuals named Adnah in Scripture.
  • uveyad (וּבְיַד): Literally "and in the hand of" or "and by the hand of." It signifies leadership or under the command/jurisdiction of. This idiom emphasizes that Adnah was responsible for, and commanded, the troops listed. It denotes authority and direct control.

• the chief (הַשָּׂר haSar):

  • haSar (הַשָּׂר): From the root שָׂרַר (sarar), meaning "to be a prince, rule, have dominion." Sar means "prince," "chief," "commander," "captain." It denotes a high-ranking official or military leader. Calling Adnah "the chief" emphasizes his senior position and authority within Jehoshaphat's military structure. He was not just any officer, but a significant figure.

• and with him (וְעִמּוֹ v'immo):

  • v'immo (וְעִמּוֹ): "and with him," indicating association and the number of troops directly under his command.

• mighty men of valor (גִּבּוֹרֵי חָיִל gibborê chayil):

  • gibborê (גִּבּוֹרֵי): Plural of גִּבּוֹר (gibbor), meaning "strong, valiant, mighty, hero." It denotes someone possessing exceptional strength, courage, or prowess, particularly in battle. It implies not just physical strength but also moral courage and effective performance.
  • chayil (חָיִל): Means "strength, power, ability, might, wealth, army, host." When paired with gibborim, it forms a strong phrase "mighty men of an army" or "men of strength/valor." This phrase suggests trained, experienced, and highly effective soldiers. It's used for valiant warriors and capable individuals in general (e.g., Ruth 3:11, Prov 31:10).
  • Together, gibborê chayil describes elite troops, well-equipped, courageous, and capable in battle, underscoring the quality of Jehoshaphat's army beyond mere numbers. It distinguishes these soldiers from common levies.

• three hundred thousand (שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף shlosh me'ot elef):

  • shlosh me'ot elef (שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף): A precise numerical count, signifying a vast military force. The sheer number underscores the scale of Jehoshaphat's military, reinforcing the theme of divine blessing leading to abundant resources and strength. In biblical narratives, large numbers can emphasize divine provision, the strength of a divinely favored kingdom, or serve as a literary device to convey awe-inspiring magnitude. For a relatively small kingdom like Judah, this number would have been truly massive, suggesting extraordinary divine favor or a vast levy system.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And of Adnah the chief, and with him": This phrase establishes the leadership structure within Jehoshaphat's military, indicating a highly organized system with designated commanders responsible for large divisions. It highlights the professionalization and order of Judah's defense.
  • "mighty men of valor": This particular descriptor emphasizes the quality of the troops, not just their quantity. These were not just ordinary soldiers, but elite warriors, possessing significant skill, courage, and proven effectiveness in combat. This term often implies individuals chosen for their outstanding military capabilities and loyalty.
  • "mighty men of valor three hundred thousand": This combination showcases both the elite nature (quality) and immense size (quantity) of this specific military contingent. The impressive number, combined with the description "mighty men of valor," conveys a sense of formidable strength and preparedness, serving as a powerful deterrent to any potential adversaries. It illustrates the substantial divine blessing upon Jehoshaphat's kingdom that enabled the gathering and maintenance of such a large and capable army.

2 Chronicles 17 14 Bonus section

• Military Organization: The detailed listing of commanders and their precise troop numbers in 2 Chronicles 17:14-19 illustrates a sophisticated and centralized military organization in Judah during Jehoshaphat's reign, likely funded and managed directly by the crown, a sign of a strong, consolidated kingdom.
• Deterrence as Divine Protection: The impressive military figures mentioned, including Adnah's 300,000 men, were not solely for active combat but also served as a powerful deterrent. The "fear of the Lord" falling upon surrounding nations (2 Chr 17:10) directly links Jehoshaphat's military readiness, given by God, to Judah's peace and security. This highlights a biblical principle: God can use prepared human strength as an instrument of divine protection and peace, often preventing conflict rather than merely winning battles.
• Emphasis on Quantity and Quality: The recurring phrase "mighty men of valor" alongside significant numerical figures throughout 2 Chronicles 17 suggests a dual emphasis on both the substantial size of the army and the high caliber of its individual soldiers. This indicates a well-equipped, well-trained force rather than a mere conscripted mob, which was remarkable for its time and points to the robust administrative capacity enabled by divine blessing.

2 Chronicles 17 14 Commentary

2 Chronicles 17:14 serves as a detailed enumeration of Jehoshaphat's vast army, specifically highlighting Adnah and his contingent of 300,000 elite warriors. This verse, embedded within a larger account of military strength (vv. 12-19), underscores the scale of God's blessing upon Judah under a righteous king. The phrase "mighty men of valor" indicates not just raw numbers but quality soldiers—individuals chosen for their strength, courage, and combat proficiency, who were likely well-trained and disciplined. For a relatively small nation like Judah, assembling and sustaining such an immense and capable force would have been extraordinary without divine enablement. The fear instilled in surrounding nations (2 Chr 17:10) directly correlates with this observable, divinely-provided strength. This verse demonstrates that God's favor can lead to tangible, impressive manifestations of power, securing peace and stability for His obedient people, providing both deterrence and protection.