2 Chronicles 20 10

2 Chronicles 20:10 kjv

And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;

2 Chronicles 20:10 nkjv

And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir?whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them?

2 Chronicles 20:10 niv

"But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them.

2 Chronicles 20:10 esv

And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy ?

2 Chronicles 20:10 nlt

"And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them.

2 Chronicles 20 verses

2 Chronicles 20 10 Meaning

This verse encapsulates a plea from King Jehoshaphat to God, recalling a past divine command given to Israel. It highlights God's sovereignty over nations and lands, specifically that He forbade Israel from invading the territories of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir (Edom) during their exodus from Egypt. Despite Israel's adherence to this command and their decision not to destroy these peoples, these very nations were now threatening Judah. The verse serves as a historical and theological argument in Jehoshaphat's prayer, underscoring the ingratitude and aggression of these nations in the face of Israel's past obedience to God's specific instruction.

2 Chronicles 20 10 Context

This verse is part of King Jehoshaphat's earnest prayer during a national crisis. Judah was facing a massive coalition of forces from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir (Edom) marching against them. Upon hearing the news, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout Judah and gathered the people to seek the Lord in Jerusalem (2 Chron 20:3-4). The prayer, delivered in the assembly, begins with acknowledging God's power and sovereignty over all kingdoms (v. 6), His ownership of the land (v. 7), and His promise to Israel (v. 7-9). Verse 10 specifically recalls a historical act of God's restraint, demonstrating Israel's past obedience to His command, contrasting it with the present aggression of these nations. It serves as a strong point in Jehoshaphat's plea, emphasizing that Judah now faced enemies whom God had previously commanded them not to destroy, yet these enemies were now attacking God's chosen people in His very land. This plea lays the groundwork for seeking divine intervention due to the apparent injustice and the overwhelming odds.

2 Chronicles 20 10 Word analysis

• And now behold, (וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה - vᵉʻattah hinnēh): "And now" introduces a pivotal moment, connecting the present crisis to the past divine act. "Behold" draws immediate attention to the grave situation, emphasizing the shock and incongruity of the current threat.
• the Ammonites (בְנֵי עַמּוֹן - benê ʻammôn): "Sons of Ammon," descendants of Lot's younger son, Ammon (Gen 19:38). Their territory was east of the Jordan River. Historically known for animosity toward Israel, as seen in Judges 10 and 1 Samuel 11.
• and Moabites (וּמוֹאָב - ûmôʼāḇ): Descendants of Lot's elder son, Moab (Gen 19:37). Their land was southeast of the Dead Sea. Also often in conflict with Israel, notably during the period of the Judges (Judges 3).
• and Mount Seir, (וְהַר שֵׂעִיר - vᵉhar śēʻîr): Associated with Edom. Seir was the original land of the Horites, which Esau (Jacob's brother) and his descendants, the Edomites, later dispossessed and settled (Gen 36:8, Deut 2:12). Edom was located south-southeast of Judah. Their relationship with Israel was complex, marked by kinship but also frequent hostility.
• whom You would not let Israel invade (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־נָתַתָּה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל לָבֹא בָהֶם - ʼasher lôʼ-nāṯattāh lᵉyiśrāʼēl lāḇôʼ bāhem): The phrase emphasizes God's sovereign command. Nāṯattāh (נָתַתָּה), "You gave/allowed," used here in the negative ("not allowed"), stresses that it was a direct divine prohibition. This was not a tactical decision by Israel but a clear instruction from the Lord during the Exodus/wilderness wanderings concerning these nations' divinely allotted territories.
• when they came out of the land of Egypt, (בְּבֹאָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם - bᵉḇōʼām mêʼereṣ miṣrayim): Establishes the precise historical context. This command was given as Israel was approaching the Promised Land, during their foundational period. It grounds the prayer in well-known, foundational divine history.
• but they turned aside from them (וַיָּסֻרוּ מֵעֲלֵיהֶם - wayyāsûrû mêʻalêhem): Highlights Israel's obedience. Yāsurû (סוּר - sûr) means "to turn aside," "depart." It signifies Israel’s deliberate choice to bypass these nations and avoid conflict, honoring God's command even when a direct route or resource might have been gained.
• and did not destroy them— (וְלֹא הִשְׁמִידוּם - vᵉlôʼ hišmîḏûm): Hishmidum (שָׁמַד - shāmad), "destroy," implies a complete devastation, often commanded by God against nations of the land of Canaan (e.g., Deut 7:2). Jehoshaphat stresses Israel did not execute such a decree against Ammon, Moab, or Edom, confirming their strict adherence to God's unique instruction concerning these specific peoples. This obedience in the past creates the moral weight of their current plight.

Words-Group analysis:

• The Ammonites and Moabites and Mount Seir, whom You would not let Israel invade: This collective phrase defines the attacking force and establishes the historical irony. These are specific nations whose territories God designated as not for Israel to conquer, thus highlighting divine territorial sovereignty. It underscores a fundamental principle that land ownership, even for nations outside of Israel, ultimately resides with God.
• when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them and did not destroy them—: This phrase powerfully recounts Israel's obedient past actions in direct response to God's command. It implies that Judah, as the continuation of Israel, honored the divine boundary. This obedience makes the present aggression by these same nations particularly unjust and provides a strong basis for Jehoshaphat's appeal for divine intervention. It draws on the principle of divine justice—those who respect God's boundaries should not be repaid with aggression.

2 Chronicles 20 10 Bonus section

• Polemics against contemporary beliefs: In a polytheistic environment where nations believed in their own specific territorial deities, Jehoshaphat's prayer, appealing to Yahweh's universal sovereignty even over lands of Ammon, Moab, and Seir, implicitly challenges these pagan beliefs. It asserts that it was the God of Israel who "would not let" Israel invade their land, signifying that their very existence and boundaries were by His will, not by the power of their local deities. The Ammonites and Moabites worshipped gods like Milcom (Molech) and Chemosh respectively (1 Kgs 11:5, Num 21:29). By calling upon the God who determined their boundaries, Jehoshaphat declares the supremacy of Yahweh over these national deities.
• Significance of "Mount Seir": While Mount Seir often refers to Edom, the inclusion in this coalition emphasizes that these enemies represent a collective historic antagonism, drawing upon deep-seated resentments and opportunism against Judah, often fuelled by their pagan worship which defied the true God.
• Legal/Covenantal Language: Jehoshaphat's prayer contains elements of a legal appeal, reminding God of past commands and Israel's adherence, thereby creating a stronger case for divine intervention and justice against their present aggressors. This reflects a deep understanding of the covenant relationship and the expectation of God's justice.

2 Chronicles 20 10 Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:10 serves as the theological linchpin in Jehoshaphat's prayer. It moves beyond a mere description of the current threat, grounding the appeal in divine history and justice. By recalling God's past prohibition against invading Ammon, Moab, and Edom, and Israel's scrupulous obedience, Jehoshaphat subtly (and effectively) challenges God: We honored Your boundaries for them; now they are dishonoring Your boundaries for us, encroaching upon the land You gave to Your people. This points to a deeper truth: God is sovereign over all nations and determines their territories, not just Israel's.

The passage suggests that while Israel was commanded to conquer the Canaanites due to their sin (Deut 9:5), God established different rules for the kindred nations of Ammon, Moab, and Edom. This differentiation reflects God's varied justice and sovereignty, demonstrating that not all nations faced the same decree of destruction, especially if they were related to Israel or descendants of Abraham's extended family. Jehoshaphat's reference highlights the paradox of divine mercy met with human hostility. It positions Judah not as aggressors but as the faithful recipients of God's command who are now unjustly targeted. The plea is, therefore, an appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and justice: to defend His people when their faithfulness to His past commands is exploited by those they showed restraint toward. It ultimately strengthens the petition for God to act, reinforcing the conviction that the battle is indeed the Lord's because it stems from a righteous cause.