2 Chronicles 20:18 kjv
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20:18 nkjv
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20:18 niv
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20:18 esv
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20:18 nlt
Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:2 | He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men...he bowed himself...to the ground. | Abraham's prostration before divine visitors. |
| Exod 12:27 | And the people bowed their heads and worshiped. | Israel's worship after Passover instructions. |
| Exod 34:8 | Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. | Moses' worship after God reveals His glory. |
| Num 16:22 | Then they fell on their faces and said, "O God..." | Moses & Aaron's intercession through prostration. |
| Deut 5:9 | You shall not bow down to them or serve them... | Commandment against idol worship, stressing exclusive devotion. |
| 1 Kgs 18:39 | When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God!" | Elijah's contest; immediate recognition of God's power. |
| Ps 95:6 | Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! | An exhortation to physical worship and adoration. |
| Isa 60:14 | The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing low to you... | Future worship of God recognized through His people. |
| Phil 2:10-11 | So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue confess. | Ultimate universal submission and worship of Christ. |
| Rev 4:10 | The twenty-four elders fall down before him...and worship him... | Heavenly worship before God's throne. |
| Rev 5:8 | And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. | Heavenly worship before the Lamb (Jesus). |
| Rev 7:11 | All the angels stood around the throne...and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God. | Angelic worship demonstrating complete reverence. |
| Gen 15:6 | And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. | Abraham's faith as the basis for righteousness. |
| Rom 4:20-21 | No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God...fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. | Abraham's strong faith in God's promises, echoing Jehoshaphat's. |
| Ps 56:4 | In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? | Trust in God amidst human threats. |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please him... | Emphasizes the necessity of faith for pleasing God. |
| Isa 7:9 | If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. | Trust in God as the foundation for stability in crisis. |
| Exod 14:14 | The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. | God's promise to fight for His people. |
| Deut 1:30 | The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you... | God's active role in defending Israel. |
| Josh 10:14 | For the LORD fought for Israel. | God's direct intervention in battles. |
| Acts 16:25-26 | About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God...suddenly there was a great earthquake...chains unfastened. | Praise and worship preceding divine deliverance. |
| Ps 22:3 | Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. | God inhabits and responds to the praises of His people. |
| Ps 33:16-17 | The king is not saved by his great army...a war horse is a false hope for salvation. | Human strength is insufficient; salvation comes from God. |
2 Chronicles 20 verses
2 Chronicles 20 18 Meaning
This verse describes the immediate and profound response of King Jehoshaphat, followed by all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, after hearing the Lord's prophetic word promising victory over the immense enemy army without human effort. It signifies an act of total surrender, humility, and faith-filled worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and His declared deliverance before the battle even begins. It demonstrates complete trust in God's power and faithfulness.
2 Chronicles 20 18 Context
2 Chronicles Chapter 20 records a grave national crisis for the southern kingdom of Judah. King Jehoshaphat and his people are confronted by an overwhelming confederation of armies from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir. Overwhelmed by the superior numbers, Jehoshaphat proclaims a national fast and seeks the Lord's help. In his prayer before the gathered assembly in the temple court, he acknowledges God's power and past faithfulness, reminding God of His promises regarding His house. In response, through the prophet Jahaziel, the Spirit of the Lord assures them that they do not need to fight, as the battle is not theirs but God's, and He will deliver them. Verse 18 is the immediate, visceral reaction to this divine assurance of impending victory. It highlights a pivotal moment of faith where a human response of deep worship precedes the divine act of deliverance.
2 Chronicles 20 18 Word analysis
- And Jehoshaphat: Refers to King Jehoshaphat of Judah. His immediate response of humility and worship sets an example for the entire nation. He was a king known for his piety, though not without fault.
- bowed his head: The Hebrew verb is naqad (נָקַד), though some scholars link it to qadad (קָדַד), meaning to "bow down" or "to incline." This signifies a posture of profound submission and reverence. It's an internal posture of the heart expressed externally.
- with his face: The Hebrew is panim (פָּנִים), indicating his very countenance, the essence of his presence.
- to the ground: The Hebrew eretz (אֶרֶץ), the earth. This phrase describes complete prostration, the lowest possible posture, signifying ultimate humility, self-abasement, and complete submission before a superior power. In the ancient Near East, it was a common posture for worshipping deities or honoring powerful kings.
- and all Judah: This refers to the people of the southern kingdom, Jehoshaphat's subjects. Their unity in worship is significant, demonstrating collective faith and acknowledgment of God's word.
- and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Specifically highlights the capital city, underscoring the widespread nature of this corporate response across the nation's spiritual and political heart.
- fell before the Lord: The Hebrew verb is naphal (נָפַל), meaning "to fall down," often used in contexts of worship or profound awe. "Before the Lord" (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה lifnei Yahweh) means in the immediate presence or sight of Yahweh, emphasizing that their action was directly toward God.
- worshipping the Lord: The Hebrew term is wa-yishtachavu (וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ), from the root shachah (שָׁחָה), which is the primary Hebrew word for worship involving physical prostration, bowing low, or homage. It implies adoration, reverence, and servitude. This indicates that their prostration was not merely fear, but a dedicated act of adoration.
- Word Group: "bowed his head...face to the ground...fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord": This sequence of phrases emphasizes the totality and depth of their physical and spiritual response. It moves from Jehoshaphat's personal, intense prostration to the entire nation joining in a collective act of falling and worship. The repeated emphasis on bowing, falling, and worshipping underscores a complete surrender, faith, and adoration towards God, spurred by the prophetic word. It is a powerful example of how humility and worship are the appropriate responses to hearing God's promise, even before its fulfillment.
2 Chronicles 20 18 Bonus section
- The profound, immediate, and united response of Jehoshaphat and the people stands in stark contrast to many instances in Israel's history where doubt or fear dominated their reaction to a challenging situation or even a divine promise. This immediate worship highlights a deep spiritual maturity in this specific moment for Judah.
- The account presents worship as an active form of spiritual warfare. By praising and acknowledging God's sovereignty and promise, they align themselves with His will and power, which becomes their true weapon against a seemingly insurmountable foe. This act of worship essentially became their first, and most important, 'move' in the battle, even before marching out.
- This verse encapsulates a core theological truth: true faith in God's promises leads not to anxious striving, but to humble worship and trust. Their worship was an acknowledgment that God had already won the battle in His word.
2 Chronicles 20 18 Commentary
Following the remarkable prophecy delivered through Jahaziel—that God Himself would fight for Judah and give them victory without them lifting a finger—the response was not immediate battle preparation, but profound worship. King Jehoshaphat, already a man of prayer and reliance on God, set the example by humbly prostrating himself, an act of ultimate reverence and submission. This was swiftly emulated by the entire assembly of Judah and Jerusalem. Their actions were not out of fear of the enemy, but out of awe and gratitude towards the God who had just promised deliverance. It demonstrated a deep, unwavering faith in God's word, expressed through complete physical and spiritual abasement. This act of corporate worship prefigured the miraculous victory and showcased that the proper response to divine assurance is heartfelt praise and trust, preparing the way for God to act. It underscores the principle that worship is not just for moments of victory but an essential posture of faith in the face of impossible circumstances, enabling God to fulfill His promises.