2 Chronicles 17 15

2 Chronicles 17:15 kjv

And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

2 Chronicles 17:15 nkjv

and next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand;

2 Chronicles 17:15 niv

next, Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000;

2 Chronicles 17:15 esv

and next to him Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000;

2 Chronicles 17:15 nlt

Next in command was Jehohanan, who commanded 280,000 troops.

2 Chronicles 17 verses

2 Chronicles 17 15 Meaning

2 Chronicles 17:15 introduces Amasiah, a commander in King Jehoshaphat's army, described by his lineage as the son of Zichri. His key distinction is that he "voluntarily offered himself to the LORD," signifying a deep personal and spiritual commitment beyond mere military obligation. Under his command were 200,000 "mighty men of valor," indicating a substantial, well-qualified fighting force. This verse highlights how the spiritual devotion of leaders like Amasiah contributed to the strength and prosperity of Judah under Jehoshaphat's righteous reign, underscoring divine favor.

2 Chronicles 17 15 Context

This verse is part of a detailed account in 2 Chronicles 17 of King Jehoshaphat's reign (870-845 BC), specifically highlighting the impressive military strength of Judah. The Chronicler emphasizes that this strength was not merely human might but a direct consequence of Jehoshaphat's obedience and dedication to the Lord.

Within Chapter 17, after describing Jehoshaphat's removal of idolatry and his extensive efforts to teach the Law of the Lord throughout Judah, the narrative shifts to the tangible blessings of his piety: national security and a formidable army. Verses 14-19 list the principal commanders and the massive numbers of soldiers under their command, amounting to over a million men. Verse 15 introduces Amasiah as one such leader, distinctively noting his personal commitment to God. This enumeration serves to demonstrate the peace, fear, and tribute that surrounding nations paid to Judah (vv. 10-11), recognizing the divine favor upon Jehoshaphat. Historically, such military strength in ancient Judah would deter aggressors, and the Chronicler frames it as a divine provision, illustrating the principle that when a king and his people honor God, He blesses them with security and prosperity.

2 Chronicles 17 15 Word analysis

• And next to him: Connects Amasiah to the preceding commander, Adnah (v. 14), indicating he is another significant leader within Jehoshaphat's comprehensive military organization.
• was Amasiah (עֲמַסְיָה, Amasyah): A name meaning "Burden of Yahweh" or "Yahweh has carried." He is presented as a high-ranking military commander.
• the son of Zichri: A common way to denote lineage and establish identity in ancient Hebrew society. Zichri (זִכְרִי, Zikhri) means "My memory" or "remembered by Yah."
• who voluntarily offered himself (הִתְנַדֵּב, hithnadebh): This is the Hithpael (reflexive) form of the verb nadabh (נָדַב), meaning "to be willing, to volunteer, to give freely/spontaneously." It carries the strong connotation of an uncoerced, freewill offering or dedication. This term is frequently used for offerings to the Lord for the Tabernacle/Temple (e.g., Exod 35:29; 1 Chron 29:9). Its application here to a military leader signifies a spiritual motivation behind his service, portraying him as devoted to God beyond mere patriotic duty.
• to the LORD (לַיהְוָה, laYahweh): Emphasizes that Amasiah's willing service was directed ultimately to God, not just to the king or the nation. This elevates his military role to a form of sacred service, linking earthly success to heavenly favor.
• and with him were: Introduces the numerical strength of his command.
• 200,000: A significant number, highlighting the large scale of Judah's military forces. The Chronicler frequently uses large figures to convey magnitude and the extensive blessings God bestows upon faithful kings.
• mighty men of valor (גִּבֹּורֵי חַיִל, gibborê khayil): A standing designation for elite, powerful, and courageous warriors in the Old Testament (e.g., 1 Sam 16:18). These were not just numerous men, but skilled, capable, and brave fighters.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Amasiah... who voluntarily offered himself to the LORD": This phrase uniquely highlights Amasiah's character, setting him apart as a leader whose service was born out of genuine spiritual commitment. This principle connects his effectiveness in military command directly to his devotion to God, emphasizing that true strength in Judah came from piety and not merely military training or human organization.
• "voluntarily offered himself to the LORD; and with him were 200,000 mighty men of valor": This linkage suggests a direct correlation between Amasiah's consecrated life and the substantial, valiant forces under his command. The quality and quantity of his troops are portrayed as a testament to God's blessing on his willingness to serve Him wholeheartedly. It embodies the Chronicler's theological message that national strength is contingent upon righteous leadership and a people dedicated to God's ways.

2 Chronicles 17 15 Bonus section

• The explicit mention of Amasiah "voluntarily offering himself" (Hithnadebh) stands out in a military list. This detail likely reflects the Chronicler's priestly background, drawing a parallel between Amasiah's service and the freewill offerings of wealth and devotion made for the Tabernacle and Temple, implying his military contribution was a sacred act of consecration to Yahweh's purposes for Judah.
• The emphasis on "mighty men of valor" (Gibborim Khayil) throughout the enumeration of Jehoshaphat's army stresses both the quality and quantity of his forces. The term itself is prestigious, denoting proven courage and effectiveness, reinforcing that God blessed Judah not with just a large, but a capable and formidable defense force.
• Jehoshaphat's actions, which included appointing judges, re-establishing religious instruction (2 Chron 19), and building strong defenses, demonstrate a comprehensive strategy where spiritual reformation, judicial integrity, and military readiness were interwoven aspects of national well-being, all seen as contingent on obedience to God.

2 Chronicles 17 15 Commentary

2 Chronicles 17:15 succinctly captures a pivotal aspect of Jehoshaphat's thriving reign: the presence of leaders whose service was spiritually grounded. Amasiah, presented not merely as a skilled general but notably as one "who voluntarily offered himself to the LORD," embodies the Chronicler's theological emphasis. This phrase denotes a profound, uncoerced dedication to God, transforming his military leadership into an act of worship. It implies that Judah's formidable army, numerically extensive and composed of "mighty men of valor," was ultimately blessed and empowered by God because its leaders, like Amasiah, were devoted to Him. This illustrates the principle that true strength and security for a nation stem from its alignment with divine will and the personal consecration of its people to the Lord. The verse thus serves as a model of how spiritual fidelity translates into tangible blessings, even in realms like national defense.