2 Chronicles 17:17 kjv
And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
2 Chronicles 17:17 nkjv
Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield;
2 Chronicles 17:17 niv
From Benjamin: Eliada, a valiant soldier, with 200,000 men armed with bows and shields;
2 Chronicles 17:17 esv
Of Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, with 200,000 men armed with bow and shield;
2 Chronicles 17:17 nlt
From Benjamin there were 200,000 troops equipped with bows and shields. They were under the command of Eliada, a veteran soldier.
2 Chronicles 17 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 17:10 | ...the dread of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms... | Divine protection for Judah |
| 2 Chr 17:14-19 | ...their number according to their fathers' houses... | Jehoshaphat's full military census |
| Gen 49:27 | "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey..." | Benjamin's martial character |
| Judg 20:16 | ...seven hundred chosen men, left-handed; everyone could sling stones... | Benjamin's skilled warriors (specific talent) |
| 1 Sam 16:18 | Then one of the young men answered, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse...a mighty man of valor..." | David as 'mighty man of valor' |
| 1 Chr 7:2 | ...sons of Uzzi...mighty men of valor, chiefs of their fathers' houses... | Examples of "mighty men of valor" |
| 1 Chr 8:40 | ...sons of Ulam, mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons... | Benjamin's warriors and archers |
| 1 Chr 12:2 | They were bowmen and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging... of Benjamin. | Benjamin's skilled warriors |
| 2 Chr 14:8 | And Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah...and 280,000 from Benjamin... | Benjamin's contribution to an earlier army |
| Deut 28:7 | "The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated..." | Blessing for obedience leading to military success |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord... | Trust in God over military strength |
| Psa 33:16 | The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. | God, not numbers, grants victory |
| Prov 21:31 | The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord. | Divine sovereignty over battle results |
| Zec 4:6 | "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord of hosts. | Spiritual strength is ultimate source of success |
| Neh 11:7 | And these are the chiefs of the province of Judah... | Recording of leaders and their contingents (Nehemiah) |
| Exod 18:21 | You shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men who are trustworthy... | Qualities of good leaders |
| Num 1:3 | You and Aaron shall list them, by their companies, all in Israel who are able to go to war. | Military census (for those able to serve) |
| Judg 6:12 | The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, "The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor." | Gideon called "mighty man of valor" by divine messenger |
| 1 Chr 27:1 | Now this is the list of the leaders of the people of Israel, heads of fathers' houses... | Organized military structure by tribal leadership |
| Luke 14:31 | Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first... | Calculating military strength (practical wisdom) |
| Eph 6:10 | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. | Believer's strength found in God |
| Heb 11:34 | ...who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war... | Faith enabling "mighty in war" |
2 Chronicles 17 verses
2 Chronicles 17 17 Meaning
2 Chronicles 17:17 describes a segment of King Jehoshaphat's well-organized and numerous military forces. Specifically, it details the Benjaminite contingent led by Eliada, identified as a "mighty man of valor," commanding 30,000 armed men. This verse is part of a larger enumeration of Jehoshaphat's formidable army, highlighting the kingdom of Judah's strength and prosperity under his reign, which the Chronicler attributes to his commitment to the Lord.
2 Chronicles 17 17 Context
2 Chronicles chapter 17 details the prosperous and divinely blessed reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Having succeeded his father Asa, Jehoshaphat committed himself to walking in the ways of the Lord, seeking God and teaching His law throughout Judah. As a direct result of his obedience and reforms (vv. 3-9), the Lord established the kingdom firmly under his rule. This chapter underscores the Chronicler's central theme: fidelity to God brings blessing and stability, while apostasy leads to decline. Verses 10-19 specifically enumerate Jehoshaphat's military strength and wealth, demonstrating how "the dread of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms" (v. 10), and tributes were brought to him. Verse 17 fits within this detailed account of his military organization, showing the immense size and structure of his army. The Chronicler emphasizes numerical strength not as the sole guarantor of victory (as that belongs to the Lord, 2 Chr 20:15) but as a visible manifestation of divine favor and the kingdom's blessed state under a righteous king.
2 Chronicles 17 17 Word analysis
- And of Benjamin: Signifies the contribution of the tribe of Benjamin to Jehoshaphat's army. Benjamin was a tribe known for its fierce warriors and skilled slingers and archers from ancient times (Gen 49:27, Judg 20:16, 1 Chr 8:40). This detail highlights the inclusion of all southern tribal forces loyal to Judah.
- Eliada: אֶלְיָדָע (Elyada‘). A Hebrew name meaning "God knows" or "God has known." Such names often carry significance, implying divine oversight or appointment in leadership roles within biblical narratives. He is presented as the primary leader of this specific Benjaminite contingent.
- a mighty man of valor: גִּבּוֹר חַיִל (gibbor chayil). This phrase is not exclusively about physical strength or military prowess, though it often includes it. It encompasses a person of considerable substance, capability, and standing—a "man of strength," "man of wealth," or "man of ability." It signifies an accomplished and honorable person, fit for significant leadership and trust. This epithet lends weight and credibility to Eliada's leadership.
- and with him armed men: וְעִמּוֹ צְבָא (ve'immo tz'va). "צָבָא" (tz'va) refers to an "army," "host," "military service," or "soldiers." This indicates that Eliada commanded a regular military force, well-equipped and organized, rather than a mere band of untrained individuals. It emphasizes structured military service.
- of thirty thousand: שְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף (sheloshim 'elef). The specific number demonstrates meticulous record-keeping or census data, aiming to impress the reader with the sheer scale of Jehoshaphat's forces. This precision underscores the Chronicler's emphasis on God's abundant blessing manifest in quantifiable power and order within the kingdom.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "And of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor": This phrase introduces the leader and his tribal origin, immediately qualifying him with an honorific ("mighty man of valor") that establishes his high status, competence, and reliability within Jehoshaphat's military structure. It sets up Eliada as a figure worthy of commanding a significant contingent.
- "and with him armed men of thirty thousand": This directly links the respected leader with the numerical strength of his force. The phrase "armed men" denotes readiness for battle and professional military organization, while the "thirty thousand" is a substantial figure, further emphasizing the formidable power Jehoshaphat possessed, undergirded by divine favor.
2 Chronicles 17 17 Bonus section
The Chronicler's consistent emphasis on exact numbers for troops throughout this chapter (2 Chr 17:14-19) is a characteristic literary device often used to magnify the blessings and power bestowed by God upon obedient kings in Judah. These precise figures are intended to convey not just military strength but divine endorsement and extraordinary abundance. The tribal affiliation, Benjamin, is notable because, despite its relatively small territorial size, it consistently produced renowned warriors throughout Israel's history, showcasing both fierce independence and strong fighting prowess. The phrase "mighty man of valor" for Eliada carries a broader meaning in Hebrew literature, sometimes referring to wealth and influence as well as martial skill, suggesting Eliada was a man of considerable standing beyond just military leadership, potentially reflecting societal leadership.
2 Chronicles 17 17 Commentary
2 Chronicles 17:17 serves as a concise testament to God's blessing upon King Jehoshaphat's faithful reign, manifesting as an exceptionally strong and well-organized military. The specific mention of Eliada, a "mighty man of valor" from Benjamin, and his 30,000 armed men, illustrates the qualitative and quantitative strength of Judah's defense. This detailed military census, along with similar lists in the chapter, highlights the peace and prosperity Jehoshaphat enjoyed due to his commitment to God and teaching His law throughout the land. It emphasizes that while the men were physically capable and numerous, their power was ultimately a gift and direct consequence of divine favor and alignment with God's will. It’s a picture of "great riches and honor" (2 Chr 17:5) manifesting in a formidable, disciplined army, underscoring that obedience to God builds strong and stable foundations for a nation.