2 Chronicles 20:15 kjv
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
2 Chronicles 20:15 nkjv
And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
2 Chronicles 20:15 niv
He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.
2 Chronicles 20:15 esv
And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.
2 Chronicles 20:15 nlt
He said, "Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
2 Chronicles 20 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 14:14 | The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. | God fights for His people |
| Deut 1:30 | The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you... | God as the vanguard in battle |
| Deut 3:22 | You must not fear them; for the LORD your God Himself is fighting for you. | Reassurance from divine intervention |
| Deut 20:1 | When you go out to battle against your enemies...do not be afraid of them...for the LORD your God is with you... | General instruction not to fear in battle |
| Josh 1:9 | Be strong and courageous; do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you... | Divine command against fear/dismay |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | The battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands. | David's confession of God's sovereignty |
| Pss 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | Trust in God removes fear |
| Pss 33:16 | No king is saved by the size of his army... | God's power over human strength |
| Pss 44:3 | It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; but by your right hand... | Divine power grants victory |
| Pss 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. | God as source of strength in distress |
| Pss 118:6 | The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? | Confident faith against human threats |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart...He will make your paths straight. | Trust in God's guidance and provision |
| Isa 30:15 | In quietness and trust is your strength... | Strength found in resting in God |
| Isa 35:4 | Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come..." | Prophetic assurance to the fearful |
| Isa 41:10 | So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God... | God's presence as antidote to fear/dismay |
| Zech 4:6 | Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty. | Victory by divine spirit, not human means |
| Rom 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's advocacy ensures victory |
| Eph 6:10 | Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. | Spiritual strength in the Lord |
| Heb 13:6 | So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" | Confidence in God's help over fear |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. | Relieving anxiety by trusting God |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, of love and of a sound mind. | God's spirit enables power over fear |
2 Chronicles 20 verses
2 Chronicles 20 15 Meaning
2 Chronicles 20:15 conveys a divine message delivered through a prophet, instructing the people of Judah, Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat not to fear or be disheartened by a vast invading army. The core of the message asserts that the impending conflict is not a human endeavor to be fought by their strength, but a divinely ordained battle to be won by God Himself on their behalf. This verse emphasizes reliance on God's omnipotence and faithfulness over human strength and military strategy in overwhelming circumstances.
2 Chronicles 20 15 Context
King Jehoshaphat of Judah faced a vast invading confederacy of Ammonites, Moabites, and Meunites who advanced towards Jerusalem (2 Chr 20:1-2). Overwhelmed, Jehoshaphat immediately sought the LORD, proclaiming a fast throughout Judah and gathering the people for prayer in the temple court (2 Chr 20:3-5). Jehoshaphat's earnest prayer acknowledged God's sovereignty, power, and covenant faithfulness, reminding God of His promises to protect His people and the temple (2 Chr 20:6-12). He openly confessed Judah's helplessness and total dependence on God, stating, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You" (2 Chr 20:12). It was in response to this humble plea that the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel, a Levite, who then delivered this prophetic word to the gathered assembly.
Word Analysis
- And he said: Refers to Jahaziel, the son of Zechariah, a Levite (2 Chr 20:14). His role as a Levite, from the sons of Asaph (a group of temple singers), highlights that God uses unexpected means and individuals for prophetic utterance, not just traditional prophets.
- Hearken ye: (Heb. Qashvu - קשבו) From the root qashab, meaning "to listen attentively, give heed, pay attention." It's an emphatic command, urging immediate and serious attention to the divine message being delivered. It implies active, not passive, listening, a readiness to obey.
- all Judah: Addresses the entire kingdom, emphasizing unity and collective responsibility. This battle involved everyone, not just the soldiers.
- and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem: Specific reference to the capital city, implying immediate threat to their homes and livelihoods, as the invading forces were headed directly towards them.
- and thou king Jehoshaphat: A direct, personal address to the leader. This affirms his prayer has been heard and validates his role in seeking God, while also empowering him to lead by faith.
- Thus saith the LORD unto you: (Heb. Koh Amar YHWH - כה אמר יהוה) The quintessential formula for prophetic revelation, asserting divine authority and removing all doubt that the words originate from God Himself. It distinguishes this message from human counsel. YHWH (LORD) refers to God's personal, covenant name, emphasizing His unwavering faithfulness to His people.
- Be not afraid: (Heb. Lo tiru - לא תיראו) From yare', to fear, dread, be terrified. This is a divine imperative, commanding an absence of panic and terror. It targets the natural human response to overwhelming danger, challenging them to live by faith, not sight.
- nor dismayed: (Heb. v'lo thechattu - ולא תחתו) From chathath, meaning "to be broken, shattered, disheartened, terrified." It refers to a loss of courage, morale, or inner strength, a state of despair. The double negative command "be not afraid nor dismayed" covers both external terror and internal despondency.
- by reason of this great multitude: (Heb. mipnei hehamon harav hazeh - מפני ההמון הרב הזה) "Because of this great noise/throng/vast assembly." This explicitly names the reason for their fear and then directly invalidates it in light of God's power. It highlights the enemy's perceived overwhelming numbers, contrasting it with God's ultimate power.
- for the battle is not yours: The responsibility and capacity for victory are taken away from humanity. It is not their fight to win or lose based on their might, skill, or resources. This challenges the common assumption that armies win wars.
- but God's: The conclusive and declarative statement that immediately shifts ownership and agency. This establishes divine sovereignty and means that God is fully invested in the outcome, has the power to achieve it, and will execute it according to His will and for His glory. It promises divine intervention and victory.
2 Chronicles 20 15 Bonus section
The prophetic word in this verse not only assured Judah of God's intervention but also gave them clear instructions for the next day's encounter (2 Chr 20:16-17), guiding them not to fight, but to take their positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD. This emphasized passive reliance rather than active military engagement. Furthermore, the passage following this verse highlights the immediate response of worship and praise from the people and the king (2 Chr 20:18-19) even before the victory, demonstrating their acceptance of God's promise by faith. The ultimate victory came through the enemy's self-destruction, demonstrating God's unique and supernatural means of warfare, often far removed from human methods or expectations. The focus shifted from battle strategy to trust, worship, and watchful expectation.
2 Chronicles 20 15 Commentary
2 Chronicles 20:15 serves as a profound testament to God's readiness to intervene on behalf of His people when they turn to Him in utter dependence. Faced with an insurmountable foe, Jehoshaphat and Judah were commanded to surrender their fear and their perceived burden of battle. This prophetic word from Jahaziel transformed a moment of national crisis into a profound demonstration of faith. The essence is that God fights for those who acknowledge their weakness and trust in His strength. It shifts the focus from human capability to divine omnipotence, assuring that victory does not depend on their preparation, strategy, or numbers, but entirely on God's active involvement. It implies rest and watchfulness, not frantic action, as the appropriate response.