2 Chronicles 20 36

2 Chronicles 20:36 kjv

And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.

2 Chronicles 20:36 nkjv

And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.

2 Chronicles 20:36 niv

He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber,

2 Chronicles 20:36 esv

He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber.

2 Chronicles 20:36 nlt

Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber.

2 Chronicles 20 verses

2 Chronicles 20 36 Meaning

This verse describes King Jehoshaphat's alliance with wicked King Ahaziah of Israel, explicitly for the purpose of building a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber to trade with Tarshish. It marks a moment of compromise and pursuit of worldly gain that is contrary to divine counsel, leading directly to negative consequences as described in the subsequent verse.

2 Chronicles 20 36 Context

The surrounding context of 2 Chronicles chapter 20 presents a striking contrast. Chapters 17-19 describe Jehoshaphat as a king who largely sought the Lord, walked in His ways, and instituted reforms. Chapter 20 opens with a powerful narrative of God miraculously delivering Judah from a vast invading army because Jehoshaphat sincerely sought the Lord, called a national fast, and led the people in trust and praise. God answered with total victory without the need for human battle.

Immediately after this display of divine faithfulness, verse 35 details Jehoshaphat's unfortunate decision to ally himself with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who was known for his extreme wickedness and idolatry, continuing the legacy of his parents Ahab and Jezebel. This verse (36) is the manifestation of that unholy alliance: a joint venture for economic gain. Despite the immediate and fresh memory of God's intervention when Jehoshaphat trusted Him completely, the king reverts to human alliances and worldly ambitions, leading to divine judgment in the very next verse (2 Chron 20:37).

Historically, Ezion-geber was a port on the Red Sea used by King Solomon for his trade ventures with Tarshish and Ophir, signaling great wealth and international influence. Jehoshaphat's endeavor likely sought to recapture such prosperity and prestige.

2 Chronicles 20 36 Word analysis

• And he joined himself with him:
  • Hebrew: וַיְחַבְּרֵהוּ (vay'chaḇə'rēhû), from חָבַר (ḥābar), meaning "to join," "to be bound together," "to unite."
  • This is Jehoshaphat (he) allying with Ahaziah (him).
  • Significance: The word choice emphasizes a deliberate, active choice of association. This union was a theological and moral compromise for Jehoshaphat, who had previously been rebuked for a similar alliance with Ahaziah's father, Ahab (2 Chron 19:2). It denotes an attachment to someone fundamentally opposed to God's ways.
• to make ships:
  • Hebrew: לַעֲשׂוֹת אֳנִיּוֹת (la'ăśōṯ ʾŏniyyôṯ), "to make/do ships."
  • Significance: This indicates a commercial enterprise. The very act of shipbuilding is resource-intensive and forward-looking, reflecting an investment in future material gain. It signifies an intent for widespread commerce, indicative of worldly ambition and expansion.
• to go to Tarshish:
  • Hebrew: לָלֶכֶת תַּרְשִׁישָׁה (lāleḵeṯ Taršîšâ), "to go to Tarshish."
  • Tarshish was a famed distant port, often associated with luxury goods, vast wealth, and significant trade, located possibly in Spain or another very distant location.
  • Significance: It symbolizes the pursuit of far-reaching commercial prosperity and earthly renown. Biblically, "ships of Tarshish" often signify human pride and material trust (Isa 2:16). Jonah tried to flee to Tarshish to escape God's call, highlighting it as a destination representing flight from divine purpose (Jon 1:3).
• and they made the ships:
  • Hebrew: וַיַּעֲשׂוּ אֳנִיּוֹת (vayyaʿaśû ʾŏniyyôṯ), "and they made ships."
  • Repetition: This clause reiterates and confirms that the forbidden act was indeed carried out, highlighting the full extent of the compromise. It underscores that the planning transitioned into physical construction.
• in Ezion-geber:
  • Hebrew: בְּעֶצְיוֹן גָּבֶר (bəʿEṣyōwn Gāḇer).
  • A port city located at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea). It was an important ancient maritime center, used notably by King Solomon for his fleets (1 Ki 9:26-28).
  • Significance: Its historical connection to Solomon suggests Jehoshaphat's ambition to emulate Solomon's past glory and wealth, perhaps without recognizing the spiritual context and divine favor that accompanied Solomon's early endeavors. Its location on the Red Sea makes it ideal for southern and eastern trade routes, reinforcing the lucrative, global commercial aspirations behind this venture.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And he joined himself with him to make ships": This phrase encapsulates the central error: a spiritual compromise (joining with the wicked) leading to a physical endeavor (shipbuilding) for earthly gain. The means (ungodly alliance) directly relates to the ends (commercial profit).
• "to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber": This details the specific nature of the venture, highlighting its large scale and worldly ambition. Tarshish signifies the distant, profitable destination, while Ezion-geber underscores the significant investment and infrastructure involved. The swift execution from "purpose" to "making" emphasizes Jehoshaphat's determined pursuit.

2 Chronicles 20 36 Bonus section

• This episode with Ahaziah echoes Jehoshaphat's earlier and similarly condemned alliance with Ahaziah's father, Ahab (2 Chron 18:1, 19:2). This highlights a recurring weakness in Jehoshaphat's character: a tendency to compromise with ungodly kings for political or economic reasons, despite prior rebuke and experience of divine favor. It shows the struggle with spiritual inconsistency even among righteous leaders.
• The desire to "go to Tarshish" might not just signify wealth but also an ambition for political and commercial prestige, mirroring the global influence achieved by Solomon, an aspiration possibly clouding Jehoshaphat's judgment regarding the spiritual cost of such an alliance.
• The phrase "they made the ships" emphasizes that the plans were not merely conceived but brought to fruition. The venture was well underway before God's judgment manifested. This serves as a caution that God's people can fully commit to misguided projects before divine intervention breaks them.

2 Chronicles 20 36 Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:36 starkly portrays Jehoshaphat's lapse in faith. Fresh from God's miraculous deliverance in battle—a deliverance that highlighted the futility of human strength and the power of divine trust—Jehoshaphat immediately turns to an unholy alliance with the wicked King Ahaziah of Israel. This union was driven by a desire for material wealth through a joint commercial venture to Tarshish from the strategic port of Ezion-geber. This reveals a tragic inconsistency in Jehoshaphat's spiritual life. Despite his commendable pursuit of God for deliverance, he still succumbed to the lure of worldly advantage and comfort by partnering with one who directly opposed God.

The narrative emphasizes that God does not overlook such compromises. While seeking economic prosperity is not inherently sinful, pursuing it through a union that dishonors God inevitably invites His judgment. This verse lays the groundwork for the prophecy in the following verse (2 Chron 20:37), where Eliezer declares that the ships will be broken because of the alliance, leading to the venture's utter failure. This serves as a potent reminder that divine blessing flows from obedience and faithfulness, not from self-made strategies or alliances contrary to God's character, even if they appear pragmatic or lucrative. God opposes the plans of the wicked, and by extension, any enterprise entered into by His people in an unholy alliance.