2 Chronicles 20 9

2 Chronicles 20:9 kjv

If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

2 Chronicles 20:9 nkjv

'If disaster comes upon us?sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine?we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.'

2 Chronicles 20:9 niv

'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'

2 Chronicles 20:9 esv

'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you ? for your name is in this house ? and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.'

2 Chronicles 20:9 nlt

They said, 'Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.'

2 Chronicles 20 verses

2 Chronicles 20 9 Meaning

2 Chronicles 20:9 captures King Jehoshaphat's heartfelt prayer to God in a time of national crisis. It articulates a confident expectation that when Judah faces severe trials—represented by sword (war), judgment (divine affliction), pestilence (disease), or famine—they will turn to God in His Temple. This act signifies their reliance on Him, acknowledging that His presence (His name) dwells there. The verse expresses the unwavering belief that God will hear their desperate cry for help and unfailingly deliver them from distress. It is a declaration of faith in God's covenant faithfulness and His power to save His people who seek Him.

2 Chronicles 20 9 Context

2 Chronicles 20 opens with a formidable coalition of armies from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir advancing against Judah. This unprecedented threat plunges King Jehoshaphat into great fear. Instead of resorting to military strategies or human alliances, he immediately sets his face "to seek the Lord" and proclaims a fast throughout all Judah. The entire nation gathers in Jerusalem, specifically at the Temple, to appeal to God. Jehoshaphat's prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12 is the heart of this response. Verse 9 specifically references the foundational prayer of King Solomon at the dedication of the First Temple (2 Chr 6:28-30). This establishes a covenantal precedent for divine intervention in times of national calamity, asserting God's commitment to His people who turn to Him in the place where His name resides. The Chronicler emphasizes themes of Judah's dependence on God, the power of corporate prayer, the efficacy of the Temple as a place of petition, and God's consistent deliverance for those who walk in obedience. This verse underscores Jehoshaphat's unwavering faith despite overwhelming odds.

2 Chronicles 20 9 Word analysis

• If disaster comes upon us: This phrase ("כי תבוא עלינו רעה" - ki tavoh aleinu ra'ah) acknowledges the reality and possibility of adversity. Ra'ah (רָעָה) signifies evil, trouble, or calamity, encompassing a wide range of hardships, reflecting a realism about life's challenges.
• whether the sword: (חרב - ḥerev) Literally refers to a sword, representing war, military attack, violence, and defeat in battle. It highlights an external, physical threat.
• or judgment: (שפט - shaphat, but likely implying a broader term like mishpat or a form of calamity often seen as a divine decree/punishment.) This term in context refers to divine judicial affliction, a severe trial or calamitous decree from God. It suggests internal turmoil or a crisis rooted in God's response to the people.
• or pestilence: (דבר - dever) Refers to plague, epidemic, or widespread disease. It signifies a biological and internal threat to life and health, often sent as divine chastisement in the Old Testament.
• or famine: (רעב - ra'av) Denotes severe lack of food, hunger, and widespread starvation. This represents a socio-economic and existential threat, directly impacting survival. These four "disasters" (sword, judgment, pestilence, famine) are a common Old Testament motif for the instruments of divine discipline or severe national hardship (e.g., Jer 14:12; Ezek 14:21).
• we will stand before this house: ("ועמדנו לפני הבית הזה" - v'amadanu lifnei habbayit hazzeh). "This house" refers explicitly to the Temple in Jerusalem. "Stand before" signifies presenting oneself humbly and expectantly in prayer and supplication, recognizing the Temple as the designated place for meeting God. It represents both a physical posture and a spiritual disposition of reverent appeal.
• and before you—: Direct address to God Himself. This underscores that while the Temple is the physical location, the petition is ultimately directed to the living God. It removes any thought of idol worship and grounds prayer in a personal relationship with YHWH.
• for your name is in this house—: ("כי שמך בבית הזה" - ki shimka ba'bayit hazzeh). "Your name" (shem) in the biblical context is not just a label but represents God's manifest presence, His character, His authority, and His essence. To say His name is "in this house" means He has chosen it as a unique place where His presence is especially felt and where He promises to meet His people and hear their prayers (Deut 12:5; 1 Kgs 8:29). This is the theological basis for their confidence.
• and cry out to you in our distress,: ("ונזעק אליך מצרה" - v'niz'ak eilekha mitstsarah). "Cry out" (tsa'aq) implies an urgent, desperate, and often loud plea for help, stemming from intense anguish or emergency. "Distress" (tsarah) refers to tribulation, anguish, or severe trouble. It captures the raw vulnerability and utter dependence on God in dire circumstances.
• and you will hear and save: ("ואתה תשמע ותושיע" - v'atah tishma' v'toshia'). This is the culmination of the prayer, a statement of profound faith and confident expectation. "Hear" (shama') means to listen attentively and respond, not just to perceive sound. "Save" (yasha') means to deliver, to rescue, to bring salvation or liberation from a harmful situation. It affirms God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His power to intervene supernaturally.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If disaster comes upon us, whether the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine": This sequence is a profound theological acknowledgment. It illustrates a complete catalog of potential existential threats faced by a nation—from external invasion to internal decay and natural calamity. It implies that all forms of adversity are understood within God's sovereignty, and for all, God is the ultimate resort. It frames the prayer not as a request against specific circumstances only, but a plea applicable to any profound crisis.
• "we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—": This clause connects the physical act of prayer at the Temple with the spiritual reality of God's presence. "Standing before this house" emphasizes reverence for God's designated dwelling place, which signifies a visible commitment to seeking Him according to His revealed will. The phrase "for your name is in this house" is the covenantal ground of their hope, explicitly recalling Solomon's dedication prayer and God's acceptance of the Temple as a place for His active presence and attention to His people (1 Kgs 8, 2 Chr 6-7). This foundational truth underpins all expectation of God's intervention.
• "and cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear and save": This climactic segment articulates the core act of faith and its expected divine response. The "cry out in distress" signifies desperate, humble, and dependent prayer arising from extreme need. It’s not a formal request but an urgent plea. The firm conviction that "you will hear and save" completes the petition with absolute trust in God's responsiveness and delivering power. It transitions from a hypothetical "if" (disaster) to a definitive "you will" (hear and save), showcasing profound faith in God's covenant loyalty.

2 Chronicles 20 9 Bonus section

• The passage's strength lies in its corporate nature of faith: It’s "we" who stand, "we" who cry out, expecting God to "hear and save" the entire nation. This communal aspect of prayer and deliverance is vital to Old Testament theology.
• The theological foundation is God's name being "in this house." This concept points to God's election of a specific place for His presence, thereby making it a point of access for His people. It highlights His initiative in providing a means for communication and intercession.
• This prayer sets the stage for the remarkable divine intervention described immediately after (2 Chr 20:14-17), where God directly commands Judah not to fight, but merely to "stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." The prayer's faith is validated by the supernatural deliverance.
• The phrase "cry out" (tsa'aq) emphasizes desperate dependency. It's not a polite request but a raw, urgent appeal from a place of helplessness, which is often a prerequisite for God's dramatic intervention.
• The consistent theme throughout biblical history, particularly in the Former Prophets and Chronicles, is that true security and salvation for God's people lie not in their military strength, political alliances, or resources, but solely in their obedience to and absolute reliance upon YHWH.

2 Chronicles 20 9 Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:9 is a potent declaration of Israel's foundational faith and reliance on YHWH, especially during periods of extreme national peril. It is rooted in the Solomonic dedication of the Temple (2 Chr 6:28-30), wherein God had promised to hear prayers offered there in times of specific calamities. Jehoshaphat's prayer re-activates this covenant promise, demonstrating that the Temple was not merely a structure, but the sacred space where God’s character (His name) resided and His saving power could be accessed. The detailed listing of threats (sword, judgment, pestilence, famine) illustrates an all-encompassing recognition that no disaster is beyond God's capacity to deliver. This is a crucial theological point: whether the distress originates from warfare, divine discipline, disease, or economic collapse, the response of God's people should be a unified turning to Him in desperate and trusting prayer. The conviction "you will hear and save" speaks to an understanding of God not just as powerful, but as intimately involved, responsive, and faithful to His people when they humble themselves and seek Him in accordance with His revealed will. This verse encapsulates the essence of the Chronicler's theology: obedience to God and proper worship, particularly at the Temple, lead to divine blessing and deliverance.