2 Chronicles 20:27 kjv
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
2 Chronicles 20:27 nkjv
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.
2 Chronicles 20:27 niv
Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.
2 Chronicles 20:27 esv
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.
2 Chronicles 20:27 nlt
Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the LORD had given them victory over their enemies.
2 Chronicles 20 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 14:14 | The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. | God fights for His people |
| Deut 1:30 | The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you… | Divine warrior, leadership in battle |
| Deut 3:22 | Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you. | Reassurance of God's active protection |
| Josh 10:42 | All these kings and their land Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. | God fighting for Israel in conquests |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | The battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands. | Emphasizing God's ownership of victory |
| Psa 9:1-2 | I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You… | Rejoicing and thanksgiving after God's deeds |
| Psa 21:1 | O LORD, in Your strength the king rejoices; And in Your salvation how greatly he exults! | Joy in God's salvation/strength |
| Psa 35:9 | And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall exult in His salvation. | Personal joy in God's deliverance |
| Psa 44:6-7 | For I will not trust in my bow, Nor will my sword save me. But You have saved us from our adversaries… | Not by human strength, but God's deliverance |
| Psa 118:24 | This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. | Rejoicing in God's specific actions |
| Isa 25:9 | Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited… Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation. | Waiting on God and rejoicing in His salvation |
| Hab 3:18 | Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. | Joy in salvation regardless of circumstances |
| Rom 15:13 | May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing… | God as the source of joy |
| Phil 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! | Exhortation to joy in the Lord |
| Neh 12:43 | And on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced, for God had given them great joy… | Communal joy directly from God |
| 1 Chr 29:13 | Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. | Thanksgiving to God after success |
| 2 Chr 20:4 | So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD… | Context: Seeking God for help |
| 2 Chr 20:17 | You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm… watch the salvation of the LORD on your behalf… | No human effort required in this battle |
| Psa 126:1-3 | When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter… | Restoration leading to great joy |
| 1 Ths 5:16 | Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything… | Consistent joy and gratitude in the Lord |
| Jas 1:2 | Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials… | Joy even in difficult circumstances (spiritual insight) |
2 Chronicles 20 verses
2 Chronicles 20 27 Meaning
2 Chronicles 20:27 describes the triumphant and joyous return of the people of Judah and Jerusalem, led by King Jehoshaphat, to their capital city. This return was marked by profound joy, which is explicitly attributed to the Lord (YHWH), who had granted them a miraculous victory over their formidable enemies without any human military effort. It signifies a celebration of God's direct intervention, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people and validating their trust in His promise.
2 Chronicles 20 27 Context
2 Chronicles chapter 20 describes King Jehoshaphat's response to an immense invasion by the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunim. Facing overwhelming odds, Jehoshaphat, a devout king of Judah, proclaimed a fast for all Judah, gathered the people in Jerusalem, and offered a prayer of humble submission and desperate trust in the Lord. He acknowledged Judah's utter powerlessness and reminded God of His past promises. In response, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite, who prophesied that Judah would not need to fight, as the battle belonged to the Lord. Jehoshaphat and all Judah responded with worship. The next morning, as commanded, they went out, led by singers praising the Lord. As they began to sing, the Lord caused the invading armies to ambush and destroy one another. The previous verses (20:25-26) describe the three days spent gathering the immense spoil and then assembling in the Valley of Beracah (meaning "Blessing") to bless the Lord. Verse 27, therefore, describes the immediate joyful return to Jerusalem after this incredible display of divine victory and thanksgiving, bringing the narrative of God's powerful intervention to its triumphal culmination.
2 Chronicles 20 27 Word analysis
- Then they returned: Hebrew: וַיָּשֻׁבוּ (vayyashuvu). This verb denotes movement back to a starting point or home. In the immediate context, it signifies their movement from the Valley of Beracah back to Jerusalem, their home and the center of their national and religious life. It marks the successful completion of the encounter and the beginning of a joyous homecoming.
- every man of Judah and Jerusalem: Hebrew: כָּל־אִישׁ יְהוּדָה וִירוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (kol-ish Yehudah viYrushalayim). "Every man" emphasizes the widespread and unified participation in this return. It wasn't just the army or leadership, but the entire population that had come to the battle and now experienced this triumph, highlighting a communal and national outpouring of joy and thanksgiving.
- with Jehoshaphat in front of them: Hebrew: וִיהוֹשָׁפָט לִפְנֵיהֶם (viYehoshaphat lifneihem). "In front of them" (literally "before their faces") highlights Jehoshaphat's role as their leader and shepherd. He led them into battle (20:21) by placing the singers out front, and now he leads them in their triumphant return. This shows his consistent and God-honoring leadership, acknowledging the divine hand in their victory while fulfilling his kingly responsibility. His visible presence provided assurance and solidified their unity.
- to go back to Jerusalem with joy: Hebrew: לִפְנֵיהֶם לִירוּשָׁלַ͏ִם בְּשִׂמְחָה (lifneihem liyrushalayim besimchah). Jerusalem is presented as their destination and the ultimate focus of their joy. It is the holy city, the dwelling place of God's presence. "With joy" (בְשִׂמְחָה - be-simcha) is crucial. This is not just relief, but deep, effusive gladness that manifests outwardly. It is the core emotion permeating their return, marking it as a spiritual triumph. This joy contrasts sharply with the despair they faced earlier (20:12).
- for the LORD had made them rejoice: Hebrew: כִּי־שִׂמְּחָם יְהוָה (ki-simm'cham YHWH). This clause provides the explicit reason and ultimate source of their joy. "The LORD" (YHWH), the covenant God of Israel, is directly credited. "Had made them rejoice" (simm'cham) is a Hiphil (causative) verb, strongly emphasizing God's direct agency in imparting this joy. It was not a self-generated happiness, but a divine gift, flowing from His deliverance. This highlights God's active involvement in their lives and His desire for His people to experience His goodness.
- over their enemies: Hebrew: מֵאוֹיְבֵיהֶם (me'oyveihem). This phrase specifies the context of their rejoicing: the complete defeat and humiliation of their formidable adversaries. The victory was total and divinely wrought, leaving no doubt about the source of their salvation and subsequent joy. This also contains an indirect polemic against relying on the might of human armies or trusting in false gods for victory, as the narrative clearly demonstrates YHWH's exclusive power and decisive action without any military intervention from Judah.
2 Chronicles 20 27 Bonus section
The communal joy expressed in 2 Chron 20:27 serves not only as a celebration of victory but also as a powerful act of corporate worship. The shared experience of God's miraculous deliverance created a strong national identity centered on YHWH, reinforcing covenant loyalty for future generations. This joy, bestowed directly by God, distinguishes the celebration from merely worldly triumphs; it's a deep inner gladness that validates faith and builds reliance on the divine. The sequence of prayer, prophecy, praise, and then victory followed by thanksgiving and joy (culminating in this return) offers a theological blueprint for facing spiritual and physical adversaries: humble reliance on God precedes divine intervention, which then brings lasting joy and leads to grateful worship.
2 Chronicles 20 27 Commentary
2 Chronicles 20:27 encapsulates the glorious outcome of faith and obedience, providing a powerful demonstration of divine deliverance. Following a moment of national crisis where King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah placed their complete trust in God rather than military strategy, the Lord orchestrated a supernatural victory. The verse captures the joyous culmination of this experience: the return journey to Jerusalem, a sacred place of worship and the heart of their nation. Their joy was not a superficial emotion but a profound, Spirit-generated gladness directly resulting from God's personal intervention against their enemies. This triumph fortified their faith, revealing YHWH as their protector and benefactor, the ultimate source of their salvation and every blessing. It teaches that true joy for God's people flows from experiencing His power, faithfulness, and providential care. This historical account serves as an enduring reminder that battles belong to the Lord, and His triumphs result in true rejoicing.