2 Chronicles 25 11

2 Chronicles 25:11 kjv

And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

2 Chronicles 25:11 nkjv

Then Amaziah strengthened himself, and leading his people, he went to the Valley of Salt and killed ten thousand of the people of Seir.

2 Chronicles 25:11 niv

Amaziah then marshaled his strength and led his army to the Valley of Salt, where he killed ten thousand men of Seir.

2 Chronicles 25:11 esv

But Amaziah took courage and led out his people and went to the Valley of Salt and struck down 10,000 men of Seir.

2 Chronicles 25:11 nlt

Then Amaziah summoned his courage and led his army to the Valley of Salt, where they killed 10,000 Edomite troops from Seir.

2 Chronicles 25 verses

2 Chronicles 25 11 Meaning

This verse describes King Amaziah of Judah's initial act of military prowess. After taking counsel from a prophet and dismissing hired Israelite mercenaries despite the financial cost, he found strength and led his own army to a decisive victory against the Edomites (children of Seir) in the strategic Valley of Salt, inflicting heavy casualties of ten thousand. This highlights a period of obedience and divine blessing in Amaziah's otherwise mixed reign.

2 Chronicles 25 11 Context

2 Chronicles 25:11 is a pivotal point in the narrative of King Amaziah of Judah. The preceding verses (25:1-10) establish Amaziah's reign as initially mixed; he "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not with a whole heart" (v. 2). He begins by administering justice (v. 3-4) but then relies on a large mercenary force from Israel. A "man of God" (prophet) warns him against using these mercenaries, asserting that God is not with Israel and will cause him to stumble (v. 7-8). Despite the considerable sum of silver he had paid for them, Amaziah obeys the divine instruction and sends the Israelite mercenaries home, demonstrating an initial, albeit costly, act of faith (v. 9-10). Verse 11 then directly follows this obedience, illustrating the immediate divine favor and success granted to Amaziah's legitimate forces against a long-standing adversary, Edom. This success serves as a clear theological statement by the Chronicler: obedience to God, even when seemingly disadvantageous, leads to triumph. However, the narrative also foreshadows Amaziah's subsequent descent into idolatry and eventual downfall, revealing the transient nature of his obedience and the limits of his faith. Historically, the Valley of Salt, likely in the Arabah south of the Dead Sea, was a known battlefield where David had previously subdued Edom (2 Sam 8:13; Ps 60), reinforcing its strategic significance and the enduring conflict between Judah and Edom.

2 Chronicles 25 11 Word analysis

• And Amaziah strengthened himself,
  • Amaziah: (אֲמַצְיָהוּ - Amatsyahu). King of Judah, son of Joash. His name means "Yahweh is strong" or "Strength of Yahweh," ironically foreshadowing his need for divine strength and his eventual turning away from it.
  • strengthened himself: (חָזַק - chazaq). This verb means to be strong, courageous, to grow strong, to prevail, to hold fast. It implies an internal resolve and determination, often divinely enabled. In the context of 2 Chr 25:8-10, this self-strengthening is a direct result of Amaziah choosing to obey the prophetic word and dismiss the mercenaries, despite the significant financial loss and perceived military disadvantage. It contrasts with relying on external, humanistic power. It can suggest a mental or spiritual preparation for action, bolstered by trust.
• and led forth his people,
  • led forth: Simple act of leadership, implying active command and deployment of his military. This underscores his role as king and commander-in-chief.
  • his people: Refers to the native forces of Judah, contrasting with the hired foreign mercenaries he had just dismissed. It highlights reliance on God-given resources and people.
• and went to the Valley of Salt,
  • went: (הָלַךְ - halakh). Simple motion, but denotes purpose and intent in military campaign.
  • Valley of Salt: (גֵּיא מֶלַח - Ge' Melach). A specific geographical location, a barren, arid region located at the southern end of the Dead Sea, near the border between Judah and Edom. It was a well-known place for battles with Edom (2 Kgs 14:7; Ps 60 Title). Its barren nature may also symbolize a desolate place where God’s power is remarkably displayed. This specific target indicates a strategic and intended confrontation with Edom.
• and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.
  • smote: (נָכָה - nakah). To strike, to beat, to slay. A strong verb indicating a decisive military defeat and slaughter. It implies complete victory.
  • of the children of Seir: Identifies the enemy. "Seir" (שֵׂעִיר - Se'ir) is the ancient name for the mountainous region traditionally associated with Edom, the descendants of Esau (Gen 36:8). This highlights the long-standing ethnic and historical conflict between Israel/Judah (descendants of Jacob) and Edom (descendants of Esau).
  • ten thousand: A precise and significant number, indicating a large-scale and impactful victory. It conveys the totality and effectiveness of the Judaean military campaign.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people,": This phrase emphasizes King Amaziah's active role and internal resolve. The strengthening is crucial as it follows a test of faith where he chose to obey God over his monetary and perceived military advantage (2 Chr 25:9-10). It demonstrates a turning point from reliance on foreign might to reliance on divine empowerment, manifest in his own renewed courage.
• "and went to the Valley of Salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.": This phrase describes the swift and successful outcome of Amaziah's renewed resolve and obedience. The selection of "Valley of Salt" points to a historical battlefield of conflict with Edom (Seir). The specific number "ten thousand" underscores the decisiveness and magnitude of the victory, making it clear that God honored Amaziah's faith with substantial success. This action re-establishes Judah's dominance over Edom, previously asserted by David.

2 Chronicles 25 11 Bonus section

The "Valley of Salt" (Gê’ Melach) being a battleground carries symbolic weight beyond its geographic location. It represents a place of desolation, where human power might seem insufficient, but where God demonstrates His ability to grant victory even in the most inhospitable circumstances. This resonates with the theological motif that God often chooses to work in ways that defy human expectation, thereby showcasing His power more clearly. The consistent historical conflict between Israel/Judah and Edom (Seir) in the biblical narrative signifies not just a rivalry between nations but also a deeper spiritual antagonism, representing the struggle between God's chosen people and those who oppose His divine plan, highlighting a prophetic foreshadowing of God's ultimate judgment over those who resist Him.

2 Chronicles 25 11 Commentary

2 Chronicles 25:11 depicts the immediate fruit of King Amaziah's obedience to God's command to dismiss the Israelite mercenaries. By trusting God, even at significant financial loss, he was divinely enabled to "strengthen himself" and achieve a remarkable victory. This verse underscores the Chronicler's theological emphasis that divine blessing and military success are directly tied to faithful adherence to God's word, rather than to human strength, alliances, or wealth. Amaziah's initiative, his deployment of his people, and the overwhelming defeat of ten thousand Edomites at the Valley of Salt all testify to God fighting on behalf of His obedient servant. This victory serves as a powerful testament to the principle that God's ways, though sometimes counter-intuitive to human wisdom, ultimately lead to genuine triumph.