2 Chronicles 20 2

2 Chronicles 20:2 kjv

Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

2 Chronicles 20:2 nkjv

Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar" (which is En Gedi).

2 Chronicles 20:2 niv

Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi).

2 Chronicles 20:2 esv

Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi).

2 Chronicles 20:2 nlt

Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar." (This was another name for En-gedi.)

2 Chronicles 20 verses

2 Chronicles 20 2 Meaning

This verse conveys to King Jehoshaphat the dire intelligence that a vast coalition of enemies is advancing towards Judah. It specifies that this "great multitude" originates from Edom and from beyond the Dead Sea, and has already reached a critically strategic location within Judah's territory: Hazazon-tamar, which is also known as En-gedi. This report establishes the immediate and overwhelming threat faced by the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 20 2 Context

This verse is part of the narrative describing a major national crisis during the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Immediately following a period where Jehoshaphat initiated religious reforms and strengthened his kingdom (2 Chr 17-19), the kingdom faces an existential threat. Verse 1 of chapter 20 explicitly names the primary invaders as Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. Verse 2 specifically describes the alarming report received by the king.

Historically and geographically, Hazazon-tamar, or En-gedi, was a significant oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Its strategic location meant that enemies advancing from the east or south often used this point as a staging ground before making the steep ascent into the heartland of Judah and threatening Jerusalem. The enemies originating "from beyond the Sea" clearly refer to those who crossed or circumvented the Dead Sea, which separated Judah from these eastern nations. The sudden arrival of such a "great multitude" at a close and vital point demonstrated the urgency and gravity of the situation, designed to compel Jehoshaphat and the nation to seek divine intervention rather than rely on their own strength.

2 Chronicles 20 2 Word Analysis

• "Then people came and told Jehoshaphat,":

  • "people": הָאֲנָשִׁים (hāʾănāšîm). Implies unnamed individuals, likely scouts or observers, who had personally witnessed the advance. Their anonymity emphasizes the vital nature of the intelligence itself.
  • "came and told": Conveying direct and urgent communication. The information reached the highest authority swiftly, highlighting the immediacy of the crisis.
  • "Jehoshaphat": יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yehoshaphat), meaning "Yahweh has judged" or "Yahweh judges." The king's name underscores a theme of divine judgment or governance pertinent to the miraculous victory that follows.

• “A great multitude is coming against you":

  • "A great multitude": הָמוֹן רָב (hāmon rav). Literally "multitude great." This phrase highlights the overwhelming numerical superiority of the enemy, instilling a sense of terror and hopelessness in human terms. "Hamon" suggests a tumultuous, noisy throng.
  • "is coming against you": The Hebrew implies a directed movement, emphasizing the intentionality and directness of the attack on Jehoshaphat and his kingdom.

• "from Edom, from beyond the Sea, and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is, En-gedi).”":

  • "from Edom": אֱדוֹם (ʾEdôm). Specifies one component of the attacking force (alongside Moab and Ammon from v.1). Edom was a traditional, often hostile, neighbor of Judah to the southeast.
  • "from beyond the Sea": מֵעֵבֶר לַיָּם (mēʿēḇer la-yam). "From across the sea." In this context, "the Sea" refers specifically to the Dead Sea. This indicates the route of the eastern forces (Moabites and Ammonites) who traversed around or crossed it, approaching Judah from a vulnerable eastern flank.
  • "and behold": וְהִנֵּה (wəhinnēh). An emphatic particle "look!" or "indeed!". It signals an immediate and shocking reality, transforming a mere report into a vivid and present danger. It emphasizes the enemy's arrival at the destination point.
  • "they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is, En-gedi)": בְּחַצְצוֹן תָּמָר הִיא עֵין גֶּדִי (bə-ḥaṣṣôn tāmār hî ʿÊN Geḏî).
    • "Hazazon-tamar": An ancient name, possibly "dividing of the palm," denoting a place of abundant palm trees.
    • "that is, En-gedi": "Spring of the Kid." This parenthetical note provides a contemporary name for the ancient location. En-gedi was a well-known oasis with a fresh water spring on the western shore of the Dead Sea, making it a crucial waypoint for armies and travelers. Its occupation signaled that the enemy had advanced deeply into Judah's territory and were poised to assault Jerusalem via the wilderness paths.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom": This initial grouping immediately highlights the dual aspects of the threat: its overwhelming size and specific origin. It signals an organized, formidable invasion force.
  • "from beyond the Sea, and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar": This phrase precisely identifies the enemies' approach route and their advanced, highly threatening current location. The "behold" stresses the shocking proximity and imminent peril, confirming the intel and leaving no doubt of the danger.

2 Chronicles 20 2 Bonus section

• The detail of "beyond the Sea" would have signaled to the original audience the involvement of Moab and Ammon, whose lands were on the east side of the Dead Sea, alongside Edom to the south, highlighting a comprehensive alliance of traditional foes.
• The selection of Hazazon-tamar/En-gedi as the enemy's advanced position demonstrates their tactical intelligence, utilizing a water source and a route from which they could launch an attack up to Jerusalem's altitude. This indicates the gravity and sophisticated planning of the invasion.
• This verse serves as a crucial narrative device, moving the story swiftly from a general report of war (v.1) to an urgent and geographically precise threat, forcing Jehoshaphat to confront reality and ultimately turn to prayer (v.3), setting the stage for the dramatic divine deliverance.

2 Chronicles 20 2 Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:2 functions as the urgent crisis declaration that ignites the spiritual drama of the chapter. It presents King Jehoshaphat with an insurmountable military problem: a "great multitude" from traditional enemies has not merely set out, but has already reached a vital strategic point well within Judahite territory at En-gedi. This detail underscores the immediate, existential threat to Jerusalem and the kingdom. The verse masterfully builds tension by focusing on the sheer number of the foe and their terrifying proximity, creating a sense of utter helplessness from a human perspective. This state of apparent impossibility is precisely what prepares the ground for God's extraordinary and undeniable intervention, highlighting His omnipotence over all human powers and the futility of human strength when pitted against divine purpose.