2 Chronicles 20:12 kjv
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
2 Chronicles 20:12 nkjv
O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."
2 Chronicles 20:12 niv
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
2 Chronicles 20:12 esv
O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
2 Chronicles 20:12 nlt
O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help."
2 Chronicles 20 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 121:1-2 | I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord... | Direct help from God, looking up |
| Psa 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God as a present help in distress |
| Ex 14:13-14 | ...“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord... The Lord will fight for you..." | God fighting for His people |
| Psa 25:15 | My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. | Constant dependence, looking to God for rescue |
| Isa 26:3-4 | You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You... Trust in the Lord forever... | Trust in God brings peace and stability |
| Psa 33:20-22 | Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield... For our heart shall rejoice in Him... | Waiting and rejoicing in the Lord as help |
| Psa 73:26 | My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart... | Human weakness, God's strength |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding... | Trust God, not human understanding |
| Isa 59:16 | He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation... | God acts when humans are helpless |
| Zech 4:6 | ...Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. | Dependence on God's Spirit, not human strength |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me... bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." | Dependence on Christ, inability without Him |
| 2 Cor 12:9-10 | And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”... | God's strength perfected in human weakness |
| Rom 5:6 | For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. | Human helplessness leading to God's grace |
| Psa 141:8 | But my eyes are toward You, O God the Lord; In You I take refuge... | Refuge in God, looking to Him |
| Jer 17:7-8 | Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. | Blessing from trusting in the Lord |
| Lam 3:25-26 | The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him... it is good that he waits quietly for the salvation of the Lord. | Goodness of waiting quietly for God's salvation |
| Deut 1:30 | The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you... | God as the fighter for His people |
| Psa 50:15 | Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. | Divine invitation to call in trouble |
| Hab 3:17-19 | Though the fig tree may not blossom... yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. | Rejoicing in God despite dire circumstances |
| Heb 12:2 | looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith... | Looking to Jesus, the perfect example of faith |
| Php 4:6 | Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. | Addressing anxieties through prayer and trust |
2 Chronicles 20 verses
2 Chronicles 20 12 Meaning
Second Chronicles 20:12 is a profound expression of communal dependence and trust in God amidst an overwhelming threat. King Jehoshaphat, speaking for all Judah, declares their utter powerlessness against a massive invading army, confessing that they have no strategy or means of deliverance. The verse culminates in a powerful declaration of singular reliance on the Lord, stating, "but our eyes are upon You," signifying that their sole hope, expectation, and focus are fixed upon God for intervention and deliverance.
2 Chronicles 20 12 Context
Chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles details a dramatic national crisis for Judah during the reign of King Jehoshaphat. Following years of spiritual reforms, Judah is suddenly threatened by a massive coalition of armies from Moab, Ammon, and the Meunites, marching towards Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat, though described as righteous and seeking the Lord, responds with immediate fear, but wisely turns this fear into focused prayer and a national call to fast and seek the Lord. He assembles the people in the temple court, reminding God of His covenant promises and past deliverances. Verse 12 is the climax of this prayer, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of Judah and Jehoshaphat's ultimate confession of helplessness and complete reliance on God alone. This confession precedes God's direct and powerful intervention through the prophet Jahaziel, leading to a miraculous victory where Judah did not have to fight.
2 Chronicles 20 12 Word analysis
- O our God: The Hebrew 'Elohēnu (אֱלֹהֵינוּ) is a strong invocation, emphasizing a personal, relational connection ("our God") with the covenant Lord. It's a plea born out of an established relationship, highlighting Judah's identity as God's people. This appeal implicitly trusts in God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.
- will You not judge them?: The verb tishpōṭēm (תִּשְׁפְּטֵם) carries more weight than just "to make a judgment." It implies active divine intervention to uphold justice, execute righteous retribution, and arbitrate in favor of His people against their oppressors. It's a call for God to decisively intervene on behalf of the innocent.
- For we have no power: The Hebrew kî 'êyn-lānu kōaḥ (כִּי אֵין־לָנוּ כֹּחַ) signifies a complete lack of strength, ability, or resources. It's a humble and honest confession of utter helplessness, removing any possibility of self-reliance or pride. This confession is fundamental to invoking God's strength.
- against this great company: liphnê hehāmōn hārāb (לִפְנֵי הֶהָמוֹן הָרָב) literally means "before this great multitude/noisy throng." The word hāmōn emphasizes the overwhelming numerical superiority and formidable, even chaotic, nature of the enemy force. It vividly portrays the scale of the threat.
- that is coming against us: The participle habā' 'ālênu (הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ) denotes an ongoing, active, and immediate approach. The enemy is not a distant threat but an encroaching, imminent danger, heightening the sense of urgency and desperation.
- nor do we know what to do: wəlō' nēda' mah na'aśeh (וְלֹא נֵדַע מַה־נַּעֲשֶׂה) signifies a complete absence of a plan, strategy, or solution. This isn't just a lack of physical strength but also intellectual and tactical bankruptcy. It highlights an intellectual and strategic vacuum, acknowledging human limitation even in planning.
- but our eyes are upon You: kî 'ālêkā 'êynênu (כִּי עָלֶיךָ עֵינֵינוּ) is the powerful climax of the verse. The preposition 'alêkā ("upon You," with "You" being emphatic) demonstrates singular, undiluted focus and trust. This is a profound statement of absolute dependence, expectation, and unwavering hope. It contrasts human powerlessness with divine omnipotence and shifts the gaze from the problem to the Person of God. It also contains an implicit polemic against looking to other nations, alliances, or idols for help, firmly centering Judah's hope on YHWH alone. This active posture of looking indicates both faith and a readiness to obey whatever God commands.
2 Chronicles 20 12 Bonus section
- This verse embodies a powerful "nevertheless" faith – despite all circumstances indicating despair, the believer's focus pivots to God.
- The communal nature of Jehoshaphat's prayer is significant; the entire nation, from king to commoner, participated in this act of confession and faith. This demonstrates corporate reliance on God in crisis.
- The phrase "our eyes are upon You" also implies readiness to obey whatever God reveals, signifying an expectant posture, not just a desperate one.
- The confession of "no power" is often a prerequisite for experiencing God's miraculous intervention, as seen throughout biblical history (e.g., Gideon's small army, David facing Goliath). God gets all the glory when human ability is nullified.
2 Chronicles 20 12 Commentary
2 Chronicles 20:12 encapsulates a critical spiritual posture for believers facing insurmountable challenges. King Jehoshaphat's prayer models authentic humility and profound faith. By declaring "no power," he acknowledges the complete insufficiency of human strength, wisdom, and resources when confronted by an overwhelming adversary. This candid confession strips away self-reliance, which often hinders divine intervention. The climax, "but our eyes are upon You," is not a passive surrender but an active turning of the heart, mind, and will toward God as the sole source of help, guidance, and deliverance. It implies not only hope but also expectant waiting for God to reveal His path and act on their behalf. This verse beautifully illustrates that recognizing one's powerlessness is the prelude to experiencing God's limitless power. It’s a call to look past the intimidating problem and fix one's gaze entirely upon the all-sufficient God. It invites a surrender that opens the door for God to display His glory and vindicate His people when all human avenues have closed.