2 Chronicles 20 25

2 Chronicles 20:25 kjv

And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

2 Chronicles 20:25 nkjv

When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.

2 Chronicles 20:25 niv

So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value?more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.

2 Chronicles 20:25 esv

When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.

2 Chronicles 20:25 nlt

King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables ? more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!

2 Chronicles 20 verses

2 Chronicles 20 25 Meaning

2 Chronicles 20:25 describes the abundant spoil collected by Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah after God miraculously defeated their enemies. Without fighting, they found vast quantities of livestock, garments, and valuable items, so immense that it took them three full days to gather everything. This verse highlights God's supernatural provision and His exceeding generosity towards those who trust in Him, transforming a situation of imminent destruction into one of overwhelming blessing.

2 Chronicles 20 25 Context

Chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles details the astonishing account of King Jehoshaphat's faith and God's miraculous deliverance. Faced with an immense army from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir (Edom), Jehoshaphat turns to the LORD, proclaiming a national fast and seeking divine intervention (v. 3-12). Through the prophet Jahaziel, God reassures them that the battle is not theirs but God's, instructing them simply to take up positions and watch His salvation (v. 15-17). In obedience, Jehoshaphat and the people march out to battle the next morning, not with weapons, but with singers praising the LORD. As they begin to sing, God sets ambushes among their enemies, causing the Ammonites and Moabites to turn on the inhabitants of Mount Seir, and then on each other, annihilating themselves (v. 20-23). Verse 24 describes Judah arriving at the lookout point and seeing only dead bodies. 2 Chronicles 20:25 then logically follows, detailing the unimaginable wealth left behind as spoils from these self-destroyed armies, a direct consequence of God's perfect and complete victory on behalf of His trusting people.

2 Chronicles 20 25 Word analysis

• When Jehoshaphat and his people: Identifies the beneficiaries. This was not a small detachment but a collective effort, emphasizing the scope of the spoil for the entire community. It highlights the direct beneficiaries of God's act.
• came to take away: Denotes the deliberate action of claiming the blessing. It wasn't handed to them effortlessly, but required physical effort, though no military might, to gather.
• the spoil (שלל - shalal): Refers to plunder, loot, or booty taken from a defeated enemy. The use of this term emphasizes that these were the possessions of those who had threatened Judah, now transferred to them as a divine judgment against the aggressors and a reward for God's faithful. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over the material wealth of nations.
• they found among them: Highlights the element of divine surprise and unsolicited provision. The people did not have to fight for this spoil; it was simply there, waiting for them. This underlines that the blessing was a pure gift from God, independent of human merit in battle.
• abundance (רב - rav): Signifies "great," "much," or "many." It strongly conveys the immense quantity and overflow of the provisions, emphasizing God's generosity beyond human comprehension. It implies extravagance and lavishness.
• of livestock (בהמה - behemah or מקנה - miqneh), garments (בגדים - begadim), and valuable articles (כלי חמדות - keley chemdot): These specify the types of valuable goods.
  • Livestock: Animals, a primary form of wealth in ancient economies, providing food, labor, and capital. The Septuagint renders it as "flocks," often including sheep and goats.
  • Garments: Clothing, especially fine or foreign textiles, was a significant display of wealth and a valuable commodity in ancient trade. They could be intricately woven or adorned.
  • Valuable articles: Literally "vessels of desire" or "desirable vessels/articles." This term encompasses precious metals (gold, silver), jewels, ornaments, finely crafted implements, or other highly esteemed possessions. These were items considered highly desirable and costly. This choice of words underlines the quality and preciousness of the spoil, not just its quantity.
• more than they could carry: This hyperbolic phrase underscores the sheer magnitude and overflowing nature of the blessing. It wasn't just "a lot," but literally more than their available capacity to transport in a single attempt, requiring multiple trips or days. This paints a vivid picture of divine super-abundance.
• And they were three days in taking away the spoil: This specific detail of duration serves to re-emphasize the enormous volume. Three days signifies an extensive and laborious collection process, clearly demonstrating the colossal nature of God's provision. It wasn't a quick sweep, but a prolonged endeavor due to the sheer bounty.
• for it was so much: A concluding reiteration, directly stating the reason for the prolonged collection. This simple statement powerfully confirms the overwhelming quantity and leaves no doubt about the immense scale of God's gift to Judah.

2 Chronicles 20 25 Bonus section

This incident of the Valley of Berakah (blessing) holds prophetic and typological significance. The gathering of the immense spoil without a battle can be seen as a foretaste of a future era when the wealth of the nations will flow to Jerusalem without war (Isa 60:5-6, Zech 14:14). It prefigures the spiritual riches that believers inherit through Christ's victory on the cross, obtained without human effort but through faith in His completed work. The material spoil, in this case, served as a tangible sign of God's spiritual victory and His abundant blessings on His people, illustrating that "God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19). This event also profoundly demonstrated the power of worship and faith, showing that seeking God's face and praising Him can bring about victories far greater than any army could achieve.

2 Chronicles 20 25 Commentary

This verse stands as a profound testament to God's unparalleled power and boundless generosity, illustrating how divine intervention not only secures victory but also provides lavishly beyond all human expectation. The very nature of the spoil – acquired without a single blow from Judah's army – emphasizes that this wealth was a direct, unearned gift from the Lord. It served as a powerful declaration of Yahweh's supremacy over the pagan deities and perceived military might of Judah's adversaries, proving that true wealth and security come from Him alone.

The sheer quantity of the spoil, vividly described as "more than they could carry" and taking "three days in taking away," paints a picture of overflow. This wasn't just sustenance; it was unprecedented prosperity, enabling Jehoshaphat to strengthen his kingdom, enrich the temple, and provide for his people. The specific types of spoil—livestock, garments, and valuable articles—represent the complete transfer of enemy resources to God's people. This account serves as an enduring promise to believers: when God is for you, when you trust and praise Him, He is not limited in how He provides. His deliverance can result not only in safety but in surplus, turning what appeared to be ruin into rich blessing. This tangible manifestation of God's blessing reaffirmed Judah's covenant relationship with the LORD and instilled awe among surrounding nations, leading to peace throughout Jehoshaphat's reign (2 Chr 20:29-30).