2 Chronicles 20 17

2 Chronicles 20:17 kjv

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

2 Chronicles 20:17 nkjv

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."

2 Chronicles 20:17 niv

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'?"

2 Chronicles 20:17 esv

You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you."

2 Chronicles 20:17 nlt

But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!"

2 Chronicles 20 verses

2 Chronicles 20 17 Meaning

This verse, delivered through Jahaziel the Levite by the Spirit of the LORD, is a powerful divine assurance to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah amidst a vast enemy invasion. It declares that the impending battle is not theirs to fight by human strength, but the LORD's. Their role is to assume a posture of faith – standing firm, expectant, and unafraid – to witness God's supernatural deliverance. It is a call to courageous obedience rooted in the certainty of God's unfailing presence and victory.

2 Chronicles 20 17 Context

The events of 2 Chronicles 20 occur during the reign of King Jehoshaphat, known for his devotion to the LORD and efforts to reform Judah. Chapter 20 opens with the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites forming a vast army to invade Judah, creating immense fear throughout the land. In response, Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast for all Judah and Jerusalem and leads them in a fervent prayer to God in the temple courts. He acknowledges God's power and past deliverance, highlights their helplessness, and appeals to God's covenant faithfulness. It is immediately after this prayer and demonstration of humility and faith that the Spirit of the LORD comes upon Jahaziel, a Levite, who then delivers this prophetic word, providing divine strategy and assurance to the beleaguered nation. The verse acts as a direct answer to Jehoshaphat's plea, transforming despair into a call for unwavering trust.

2 Chronicles 20 17 Word analysis

• You will not have to fight this battle: This sets the stage, declaring divine agency. It indicates a battle where human strength, strategy, or arms are irrelevant; victory comes solely from God's hand. This directly counters the human impulse to self-reliance.
• Take up your positions (Hebrew: יַֽתְיַצְּב֥וּ - yathyatstsevú, a Piel imperative from the root נָצַב - natsav, meaning "to stand," "to station oneself," "to take one's stand"): This is not a command for military engagement or defensive formation. Instead, it implies a posture of obedient readiness, disciplined positioning for observation or witness, rather than combat. It signifies presence and attentiveness to God's actions, perhaps even lining up to observe His work.
• stand firm: Reinforces the idea of steadfastness, an unmoving trust. It contrasts with panic, retreat, or frantic attempts to defend themselves. This firmness is not physical might but spiritual resolve and faithful endurance.
• and see the deliverance (Hebrew: רְא֛וּ אֶת־יְשׁוּעַ֥ת - re'u et-yeshu'at, "see the salvation/deliverance," where yeshu'at is from יְשׁוּעָה - yeshu'ah): The Hebrew word yeshu'ah means "salvation," "deliverance," or "victory." The command "see" (רְא֛וּ - re'u) is an imperative, emphasizing observation. It means to visually witness and apprehend God's mighty act of saving His people, without their active participation in the fighting. It's a divine spectacle for Judah.
• the LORD will give you: Clearly attributes the victory entirely to God. It underscores divine initiative and power as the sole source of rescue, nullifying any human boasting or pride in victory.
• O Judah and Jerusalem: A specific address, highlighting that this promise and instruction are for the collective covenant community, reinforcing God's faithfulness to His people as a whole.
• Do not be afraid (Hebrew: אַל־תִּירְא֣וּ - al-tiru, negative imperative from יָרֵא - yare, "to fear"): A frequent command in Scripture when God assures His presence and intervention. It directly addresses the natural human reaction to overwhelming threat and encourages faith over primal fear.
• do not be discouraged (Hebrew: וְאַל־תֵּחָ֑תּוּ - ve'al-techátu, negative imperative from חָתַת - chatat, "to be broken," "dismayed," or "terrified"): This command addresses the internal spiritual state of despair or demoralization. It implies a spiritual resilience, urging them not to lose heart or give in to panic when facing seemingly insurmountable odds.
• Go out to face them tomorrow: This is an act of explicit obedience and faith. While they are not to fight, they are commanded to actively and courageously confront the enemy, indicating complete trust in the unseen, supernatural defense that the LORD will provide. It’s a march of faith, not battle.
• and the LORD will be with you (Hebrew: כִּֽי־ה֥וּא יְהוָ֖ה עִמָּכֶֽם - ki-hu Yahweh immakhem, "for He, Yahweh, is with you"): This is the ultimate basis of the entire message, the cornerstone of their courage and confidence. God's abiding presence, explicitly named as Yahweh (the covenant-keeping God), is the guarantee of their safety and victory.

Words-group Analysis:

• "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you...": This powerful sequence clearly outlines the divine plan: God's sovereignty negates human effort in battle; human obedience involves positioning oneself in expectant faith to witness His miraculous work. It's a fundamental lesson in spiritual warfare – resting in God's strength.
• "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.": These parallel negative commands directly target the internal emotional and spiritual responses to crisis. They highlight the spiritual battle against fear and despair, which can incapacitate believers more effectively than any external enemy. Trust in God is the antidote.
• "Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.": This concluding instruction provides specific guidance while anchoring their actions in God's guaranteed presence. It distinguishes passive idleness from active obedience motivated by faith, affirming that genuine faith acts boldly upon God's promise.

2 Chronicles 20 17 Bonus section

This divine instruction (2 Chr 20:17) sets the stage for one of the most unique military campaigns in the Bible: Judah’s army going into battle with singers leading the procession, praising the LORD. This seemingly illogical strategy, as described in 2 Chronicles 20:21-22, was a direct act of obedience to the spirit of "stand firm and see the deliverance." It demonstrated that the victory was entirely supernatural and brought about by the LORD in response to His people's faith and worship, rather than their weaponry. The immediate and complete destruction of the enemy forces through self-inflicted slaughter further emphasizes that the battle was indeed the LORD's alone. This event powerfully prefigures the Christian understanding of spiritual warfare, where victory is found not in human might or worldly weapons, but through faith, prayer, worship, and relying on the finished work of Christ. The "standing firm" for the believer today means abiding in Christ and in the truth of God's Word, relying on His Spirit, rather than engaging in self-effort or carnal struggles to overcome spiritual adversaries (Eph 6:10-18).

2 Chronicles 20 17 Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:17 is a cornerstone passage teaching radical reliance on God. Faced with an impossible situation, Jehoshaphat sought the LORD, and the divine response through Jahaziel reoriented the people from human strategy to divine intervention. The verse provides a paradigm shift: the battle's nature is God's, not man's. Judah's "fighting" was to "stand firm" (a posture of unwavering trust and obedience, not combat readiness) and "see" God's mighty acts of "deliverance." The repeated commands to "not be afraid" and "not be discouraged" speak to the crucial internal disposition required – a confident faith that triumphs over despair. Going out to face the enemy tomorrow, despite the injunction not to fight, was the ultimate test of their obedience and trust, confirming that active faith involves following God's unconventional commands, confident in His promised presence ("the LORD will be with you"). This historical event stands as a timeless principle: God fights for His people when they humble themselves, trust His Word, and courageously obey, acknowledging that ultimate victory comes through Him alone.