2 Chronicles 20 26

2 Chronicles 20:26 kjv

And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.

2 Chronicles 20:26 nkjv

And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day.

2 Chronicles 20:26 niv

On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the LORD. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.

2 Chronicles 20:26 esv

On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

2 Chronicles 20:26 nlt

On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the LORD there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.

2 Chronicles 20 verses

2 Chronicles 20 26 Meaning

This verse describes the culminating act of the people of Judah after their miraculous victory, highlighting their intentional gathering to offer thanks and praise to the Lord. It records the precise geographical location of this significant event, the "Valley of Beracah," explaining that the valley was so named ("Valley of Blessing") because it was there they blessed the Lord, ensuring the divine intervention and their response of gratitude would be remembered for generations.

2 Chronicles 20 26 Context

Chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles details one of the most remarkable deliverances in Israel's history under King Jehoshaphat. Faced with an overwhelming coalition of armies from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir, Jehoshaphat immediately sought the Lord through public fasting and prayer, calling all Judah to seek God. God responded through the prophet Jahaziel, promising victory without Judah having to fight, stating that "the battle is not yours, but God's." In an extraordinary act of faith, Jehoshaphat and the people set out the next morning, with singers leading the army, praising the Lord. As they began to sing, the Lord caused the enemy armies to turn on one another, resulting in their complete destruction without Judah striking a single blow. Verses 25-26 follow this victory, describing how the people spent three days collecting the immense spoil, and then on the fourth day, they gathered to dedicate their thanksgiving to God in the Valley of Beracah. The verse thus stands as the physical and spiritual climax of their divine deliverance, marking the place with a name that encapsulated their gratitude and God's intervention.

2 Chronicles 20 26 Word analysis

• On the fourth day: This denotes a specific sequential action after the preceding events of God's miraculous deliverance and the subsequent three days spent collecting plunder (2 Chron 20:25). It highlights a purposeful and timely act of corporate worship, indicating that their blessing was not a spontaneous outburst but a deliberate assembly after attending to practical matters.
• they assembled: This refers to the collective body of people from Judah and Jerusalem. The Hebrew verb implies a gathered crowd, signifying unity and common purpose in their act of praise. It underscores the communal nature of their gratitude towards God.
• in the Valley of Beracah:
  • Valley: `emeq (עֵמֶק) in Hebrew, denoting a broad, open valley or plain, as opposed to a narrow wadi. This implies sufficient space for a large gathering.
  • Beracah: Berakhah (בְּרָכָה), which directly translates to "blessing" or "blessed place." It's derived from the root barakh (בָּרַךְ), "to kneel" or "to bless." This is not its original name, but a new name given because of the event. The valley's previous, common, or unnamed status was superseded by its divine significance.
• for there they blessed the Lord:
  • blessed the Lord: Baraku Adonai (בָּרְכוּ יְהוָה). The verb barak (בָּרַךְ) here means to praise, to give thanks, to glorify, and to worship God. It represents an outpouring of adoration and recognition of God's beneficence and power. This reciprocal action is significant: God had blessed them with deliverance and spoil, and now they blessed Him with praise and worship. It shows proper theological understanding—that blessings flow from God, and humanity's response should be to acknowledge and exalt Him.
• therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day: This phrase serves as an etiological explanation, detailing the origin of the place name. "To this day" indicates a perpetual memorial and ongoing significance for the place, affirming the historical authenticity of the event and ensuring that future generations would understand the reason for its unique designation. It signifies that the name was still known and referenced during the time the Chronicler wrote. This served as a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and Judah's act of corporate worship.

2 Chronicles 20 26 Bonus section

The concept of a "Valley of Beracah" profoundly challenges human reliance on self-strength. A valley typically suggests a low point, a place of vulnerability or difficulty. Yet, through divine intervention and a human response of faith and praise, this valley became a beacon of blessing. This transformation from a potential site of ambush (as a valley might typically serve for enemies) to a place of unparalleled blessing and praise emphasizes God's power to redefine circumstances. The continued naming "to this day" (likely up to the Chronicler's time of writing) ensured that this historical truth persisted as a lesson for future generations regarding faith, obedience, and the true source of all victory and blessing.

2 Chronicles 20 26 Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:26 powerfully encapsulates the appropriate response to divine intervention and abundant blessing. After experiencing a victory orchestrated entirely by God without human military engagement, the people of Judah gathered not to celebrate their own survival or to merely bask in their spoils, but specifically to "bless the Lord." This highlights a profound understanding of who deserved the glory. The naming of the place as the "Valley of Beracah" or "Valley of Blessing" forever enshrined this moment, transforming a geographical location into a lasting testament to God's miraculous power and His people's gratitude. It underscores a key biblical principle: when God provides unexpected deliverance and abundant provision, the immediate and proper human response is profound thanksgiving and glorification of His name. This passage serves as an enduring reminder that true victory, especially one secured by divine power, culminates in worship and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty.

Practical usage:

• In times of answered prayer or unexpected provision, consciously set aside time to thank God, perhaps even making a specific family tradition or "memorial" of thanksgiving.
• When facing daunting challenges, recall the story of the Valley of Beracah, reminding yourself that God can turn "valleys of trouble" into "valleys of blessing" if trust and praise Him.