2 Chronicles 17:16 kjv
And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
2 Chronicles 17:16 nkjv
and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
2 Chronicles 17:16 niv
next, Amasiah son of Zikri, who volunteered himself for the service of the LORD, with 200,000.
2 Chronicles 17:16 esv
and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, a volunteer for the service of the LORD, with 200,000 mighty men of valor.
2 Chronicles 17:16 nlt
Next was Amasiah son of Zicri, who volunteered for the LORD's service, with 200,000 troops under his command.
2 Chronicles 17 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntary Service / Dedication to God | ||
| Exod 35:29 | ...all the men and women, whose heart stirred them to bring for all the work... | Freewill offering for Tabernacle's construction. |
| 1 Chron 29:9 | ...for with a whole heart they had offered willingly to the Lord... | People's willing giving for Temple in David's time. |
| Psa 110:3 | Your people will offer themselves willingly... | The willingness of people for the Messiah's reign. |
| Rom 12:1 | ...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. | Believers' self-dedication as a spiritual act of worship. |
| 2 Cor 8:12 | For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. | God accepts a ready and willing heart. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Emphasis on cheerful, willing, and intentional giving. |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand... | We are created for good works, pre-planned by God. |
| Military Strength & Divine Empowerment | ||
| 2 Chron 17:13 | He had many supplies in the cities of Judah. And he had mighty men of valor... | Part of the detailed account of Jehoshaphat's military organization. |
| 2 Chron 17:19 | These were the ones who served the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah. | Concluding verse highlighting the sheer size of Jehoshaphat's army. |
| 1 Chron 12:8 | Of the Gadites there separated themselves to David mighty men of valor... | Example of mighty men committed to leadership (David). |
| Psa 18:32 | The God who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless. | God is the ultimate source of one's strength and enablement. |
| Zech 4:6 | ...'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. | Divine power and Spirit are superior to human strength. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Believers' strength and capability come from Christ. |
| Trust in God for Victory | ||
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. | Contrasting human reliance on military hardware with trusting God. |
| Psa 33:16-17 | The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength... | Emphasizing that God, not military size or strength, grants salvation and victory. |
| Prov 21:31 | The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance belongs to the Lord. | Final outcome of battle is determined by God. |
| Righteous Leadership & Obedience Leading to Blessing | ||
| 2 Chron 19:4 | Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. | Jehoshaphat's wider righteous efforts to restore spiritual alignment in Judah. |
| 2 Chron 20:3-4 | Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord... and Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord. | Jehoshaphat and Judah seeking the Lord during a national crisis. |
| 2 Chron 20:20-22 | ...Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed... when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush... | Faith and praise as catalysts for God's intervention and victory. |
| Deut 28:1-2 | If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God... all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you... | Comprehensive blessings promised for national obedience to God. |
| Josh 1:7-8 | Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law... that you may have good success. | Obedience to God's law as a prerequisite for prosperity and success. |
| Neh 4:6 | So we built the wall... For the people had a mind to work. | Collective work made possible by a shared, willing attitude. |
2 Chronicles 17 verses
2 Chronicles 17 16 Meaning
2 Chronicles 17:16 details Amasiah, a son of Zichri, who served King Jehoshaphat. This verse highlights his notable quality: he "willingly offered himself to the Lord." This dedication was manifest in his leadership over a vast contingent of 200,000 "mighty men of valor." The verse implies that the strength and effectiveness of this large military force were tied directly to Amasiah's personal spiritual commitment and willingness to serve God, rather than merely his military skill or allegiance to the king. It underscores the theme that true national strength during Jehoshaphat's righteous reign derived from divine favor, bestowed upon those dedicated to the Lord.
2 Chronicles 17 16 Context
This verse is found within 2 Chronicles Chapter 17, which provides an account of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. The chapter details his reign marked by piety, significant religious reforms, and a policy of fortifying his kingdom. Verses 1-9 highlight Jehoshaphat's spiritual endeavors: he walked in the ways of David, sought the Lord, removed high places, and sent Levites and priests throughout Judah to teach the Law. As a result, the fear of the Lord fell upon the surrounding kingdoms, bringing tribute rather than conflict.
Verses 10-19 transition to enumerating Jehoshaphat's military strength. This verse (17:16) is part of a detailed list of his military commanders and the large contingents under their command, collectively comprising over a million mighty men. Amasiah is presented as one of these key commanders, distinguished by his personal dedication to the Lord. The Chronicler emphasizes that this impressive military power was a direct result of God's blessing on Jehoshaphat's obedient reign, illustrating that national security and might stemmed from devotion to YHWH, rather than solely from human military strategy or numerical superiority. This context emphasizes a theocentric view of prosperity and power, where military prowess is a divinely granted blessing upon a faithful ruler and nation.
2 Chronicles 17 16 Word analysis
And next to him (וְעַל־יָדוֹ֙ - ve'al-yāḏōw): Literally "and upon his hand" or "by his side." This phrase denotes position in a sequence, suggesting proximity or a subordinate role to the previously mentioned commander (Adnah in verse 14). It highlights a structured military hierarchy.
Amasiah (עֲמַסְיָ֖ה - ʿĂmasyāh): A personal name meaning "the Lord carries" or "the Lord supports." The name itself subtly points to reliance on God, reinforcing the spiritual emphasis of the verse.
the son of Zichri (בֶּן־זִכְרִֽי - ben Zikhri): Denotes his lineage, important in ancient Hebrew society for identifying individuals and their tribal connections. "Zichri" means "my remembrance" or "memorable."
who willingly offered himself to the Lord (הַמִּתְנַדֵּב לַֽיהוָה - hammitnaddēḇ la-YHWH): This is a pivotal phrase.
- hammitnaddēḇ derives from the Hebrew root nadab (נדב), meaning "to be willing," "to offer freely," "to volunteer." The Hithpael stem, "himself who willingly offered," emphasizes active, internal initiative and personal devotion. This distinguishes Amasiah from others who might serve out of duty or compulsion.
- la-YHWH ("to the Lord") specifies the object of his willingness—it was directed to God. This elevates his service beyond mere military duty to a spiritual act. It connects military and civic service to a broader consecration to divine purposes, a core theological principle for the Chronicler. It demonstrates a form of practical righteousness within a military leader.
with 200,000 (וְעִמּוֹ מָאתַ֙יִם אֶ֙לֶף - veʿimô mātayim elef): This figure indicates a very large force under Amasiah's direct command, testifying to Jehoshaphat's substantial military capability and God's blessing upon his kingdom's resources.
mighty men of valor (גִּבֹּרֵי חַ֔יִל - gibbôrê ḥayil):
- gibbôr (גִּבֹּר) translates to "mighty, strong, hero, warrior." It signifies individuals of outstanding strength, bravery, and skill, often in a military context.
- ḥayil (חַיִל) signifies "strength, ability, valor, wealth, or an army/force." When combined, gibbôrê ḥayil refers to elite, well-trained, and capable soldiers. This emphasizes the quality as well as the quantity of his troops.
Words-group analysis:
- "Amasiah...who willingly offered himself to the Lord": This specific description of Amasiah's character, focusing on his free-willed devotion to God, is crucial. It suggests that his effectiveness as a military leader and the formidable nature of his army stemmed from a divine blessing bestowed upon his spiritual commitment. It highlights a type of leadership where personal piety translates into effective earthly action. This also presents a stark contrast to kings and commanders who relied purely on human might or political maneuvering.
- "willingly offered himself to the Lord, with 200,000 mighty men of valor": The immediate conjunction of Amasiah's personal devotion to God with the mention of his immense, high-quality fighting force implies a direct relationship between the two. God's favor, evidenced by Amasiah's dedication, might have directly contributed to the size, discipline, and success of his troops, or to their readiness. It exemplifies the Chronicler's theology: true power and prosperity come through obedience and dedication to YHWH, empowering human instruments for His purposes.
2 Chronicles 17 16 Bonus section
- The emphasis on "willing offering" connects this military service to broader themes of worship and divine service found throughout Scripture, where God values a heart given freely more than obligation.
- The large numbers cited (1,160,000 total effective fighting men for Judah in 2 Chron 17:14-19) represent an almost unparalleled force for the time, a testament to the immense blessings bestowed upon Jehoshaphat's obedient reign. Such large armies were considered nearly impossible for a single kingdom in that region without divine intervention, subtly implying God's hand in Jehoshaphat's prosperity.
- The unique description of Amasiah in 2 Chron 17:16, focusing on his personal spiritual characteristic ("willingly offered himself to the Lord"), sets him apart from the other commanders listed (Adnah, Eliezer, Eliada, Zabad) for whom no such spiritual quality is noted, highlighting his particular spiritual distinction.
2 Chronicles 17 16 Commentary
2 Chronicles 17:16 paints a concise yet profound picture of Amasiah, one of King Jehoshaphat's top commanders. While listing the number of troops under his command, the Chronicler importantly interjects a specific spiritual descriptor: Amasiah "willingly offered himself to the Lord." This is not merely a detail of military structure but a theological statement. In an era where military might often signified trust in human power or false gods, Amasiah's explicit dedication to YHWH signifies that his command, and by extension his 200,000 "mighty men of valor," operated under divine sanction and blessing. It emphasizes the Chronicler's recurring theme that genuine strength and success for Judah derive not from sheer numbers or strategic prowess alone, but from a consecrated heart and obedience to God, reflected in both the king and his leading subjects. This individual devotion among leadership reinforces the national righteousness cultivated by Jehoshaphat and the divine peace that settled upon his kingdom. It suggests that a Spirit-led life leads to effective and numerous influence, whether in military leadership or any other domain. This principle serves as an example for all, where genuine service begins with a voluntary surrender to God.