2 Chronicles 20 29

2 Chronicles 20:29 kjv

And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:29 nkjv

And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:29 niv

The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:29 esv

And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:29 nlt

When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the LORD himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them.

2 Chronicles 20 verses

2 Chronicles 20 29 Meaning

2 Chronicles 20:29 signifies that the overwhelming fear and respect for God permeated the surrounding kingdoms and lands when they heard of the Lord's direct intervention in fighting for Israel. This divinely-instilled dread brought a period of peace and security for King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah, as potential enemies were deterred from attacking.

2 Chronicles 20 29 Context

This verse is the culminating outcome of one of the most remarkable deliverances in Israelite history, recounted in 2 Chronicles chapter 20. King Jehoshaphat of Judah, facing an immense, combined army of Ammonites, Moabites, and Mount Seir (Edomites), demonstrated profound reliance on the Lord. Instead of engaging in military strategy, he called for a national fast and prayer, confessing Judah's powerlessness and appealing to God's covenant promises and power (2 Chr 20:5-12). In response, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, who prophesied that Judah would not need to fight, but merely stand and watch God's deliverance (2 Chr 20:15-17). The people, led by Jehoshaphat, responded with worship and obedience. On the day of battle, they marched out with singers praising God, and the Lord set ambushes among their enemies, causing them to destroy one another until none survived. Jehoshaphat and his people then spent three days collecting the abundant plunder. Chapter 20:29 explicitly states the immediate geopolitical consequence of this unparalleled divine intervention: surrounding nations, upon hearing this extraordinary report, were struck with fear, ensuring Judah's peace. Historically, Judah, though often troubled by neighboring states, experienced a period of relative security under Jehoshaphat partly due to such displays of God's might, which served as a polemic against the supposed strength of regional deities and armies.

2 Chronicles 20 29 Word analysis

• And the fear (וַיְהִי֩ פַֽחַד֩ - va·yə·hî paḥad):
  • paḥad (פַֽחַד) refers to dread, terror, or fear. It often implies a profound awe or respect inspired by something powerful and majestic, rather than simple fright. Here, it denotes a terror so deep it prevents hostile action.
  • Significance: This fear is divinely induced, not a natural military response. It acknowledges God's unique power.
• of God (אֱלֹהִ֖ים - ’ĕlō·hîm):
  • Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a common Hebrew name for God. While it can refer to "gods" in a general sense, in context, it specifically refers to the God of Israel, YHWH, whose singular power was just displayed.
  • Significance: The non-Israelite kings recognized this power as coming from a divine source, identifying it with Israel’s God.
• was upon (עַל־כָּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת - ‘al-kol-mam·le·ḵōṯ):
  • Implies resting upon, or permeating, rather than just being experienced superficially.
• all the kingdoms (כָּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת - kol mamlekhot):
  • kol (כָּל) means "all" or "every".
  • mamlekôt (מַמְלְכ֣וֹת) refers to kingdoms, realms, or sovereign states.
  • Significance: The impact was widespread and total among the regional powers.
• of the lands (הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת - hā’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ):
  • ’arets (הָאֲרָצוֹת) means lands, territories, or countries. It reinforces the geographical breadth of the fear.
• when they heard (בְּשָׁמְעָ֔ם - bə·šām·‘ām):
  • This indicates the mechanism by which the fear spread: the "report" of what happened. Oral tradition and intelligence gathering were crucial in ancient warfare.
• that the LORD fought (כִּֽי־נִלְחַ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה - kî-nil·ḥam Yah·weh):
  • YHWH (יְהוָה) is the personal, covenant name of God, indicating His direct involvement and covenant faithfulness.
  • nilḥam (נִלְחַ֖ם) means "he fought" or "he warred."
  • Significance: This phrase is the core reason for the dread. The kingdoms understood that this was not a human victory, but a divine intervention, implying a formidable, invisible foe they could not hope to conquer.
• against the enemies (אֶל־אֹֽיְבֵ֥י - ’el-’ō·yə·ḇê) of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ - yiś·rā·’êl):
  • This clearly identifies the recipients of God's wrath and highlights His protective nature over His people.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And the fear of God was upon all the kingdoms of the lands": This phrase encapsulates the central theme – the widespread and profound impact of God's actions on geopolitics. It indicates not merely human respect but a divine impartation of terror that paralyzed potential aggression. This highlights God’s sovereignty over nations.
• "when they heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel": This emphasizes the direct cause of the fear: a clear understanding of YHWH's personal and active involvement in protecting His people. It distinguishes this from a human military victory and showcases God’s reputation as a Divine Warrior. The 'hearing' signifies the spread of God's fame, fulfilling the promise of His name being great among the nations.

2 Chronicles 20 29 Bonus section

The incident in 2 Chronicles 20:29 demonstrates the principle that God's name is magnified through His works on behalf of His people. The "fear of God" placed upon the surrounding kingdoms was an acknowledgement, even if grudgingly, of YHWH's supreme power. This often served as a divine barrier against attack, proving more effective than any standing army. This divine dread is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, showcasing God's covenant faithfulness in protecting Israel. It reminds us that God's glory is intrinsically linked to the well-being and deliverance of His chosen people, extending His renown even to those who do not worship Him. This echoes prophecies of nations coming to acknowledge the Lord's power, even if they initially do so out of fear rather than worship.

2 Chronicles 20 29 Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:29 succinctly captures the strategic peace brought by Jehoshaphat's absolute dependence on God. It showcases a critical principle: when God's people genuinely rely on Him, He intervenes in ways that magnify His power and deter their adversaries. The fear instilled in the surrounding nations was not a human feat of psychological warfare, but a direct consequence of the extraordinary divine battle fought on Judah's behalf. This verse highlights that God defends His people not only directly on the battlefield but also by establishing His name and dread among potential enemies, thereby securing long-term peace. The fame of YHWH fighting for Israel became a shield, making Judah safe from invasion for a time. It also implicitly reinforces that true security comes from the awe inspired by God's character and power, not from military might or alliances. A powerful example for how divine intervention can alter national stability and foster reverence for the Almighty.