2 Chronicles 25:5 kjv
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.
2 Chronicles 25:5 nkjv
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together and set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, according to their fathers' houses, throughout all Judah and Benjamin; and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them to be three hundred thousand choice men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield.
2 Chronicles 25:5 niv
Amaziah called the people of Judah together and assigned them according to their families to commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds for all Judah and Benjamin. He then mustered those twenty years old or more and found that there were three hundred thousand men fit for military service, able to handle the spear and shield.
2 Chronicles 25:5 esv
Then Amaziah assembled the men of Judah and set them by fathers' houses under commanders of thousands and of hundreds for all Judah and Benjamin. He mustered those twenty years old and upward, and found that they were 300,000 choice men, fit for war, able to handle spear and shield.
2 Chronicles 25:5 nlt
Then Amaziah organized the army, assigning generals and captains for all Judah and Benjamin. He took a census and found that he had an army of 300,000 select troops, twenty years old and older, all trained in the use of spear and shield.
2 Chronicles 25 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:3 | "from twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war." | Specifies the age for military service in the Law. |
| Num 26:2 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' households..." | Reaffirms the age and household-based census for military. |
| Deut 1:15 | "So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and appointed them as heads over you, leaders of thousands, and leaders of hundreds..." | Describes the appointment of military commanders from Jethro's counsel. |
| Deut 17:14-20 | "When you come to the land which the Lord your God is giving you and possess it... you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses... he may not acquire many horses... nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold..." | Laws for the king, emphasizing adherence to divine statutes, implicitly applies to military organization. |
| Deut 20:1-4 | "When you go out to battle against your enemies... do not be afraid of them... For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." | Principles of war in Israel, trusting God rather than mere numbers. |
| Josh 1:7-8 | "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left... then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success." | Emphasizes strict obedience to God's law for success, applicable to military preparations. |
| 1 Sam 8:12 | "...and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest..." | Shows kingly prerogative in military appointments, though often leading to oppressive systems. |
| 1 Sam 17:7 | "The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield was between his shoulders." | Mentions spear and shield as common military equipment. |
| 2 Sam 24:9 | "The number of valiant men was eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword..." | Another large census (David's), which ultimately displeased God due to its intention. |
| 1 Kgs 5:16 | "besides Solomon’s chief officers who were over the work, three thousand three hundred who ruled over the people doing the work." | Example of detailed administrative and hierarchical organization within the kingdom. |
| 2 Chr 11:12 | "And in each city he put shields and spears, and made them very strong..." | Rehoboam's fortifying cities with shields and spears. |
| 2 Chr 14:8 | "Asa also had an army of 300,000 from Judah equipped with large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin equipped with shields and drawing bows..." | Asa's army also numerically impressive, but his victory came through prayer and faith in God. |
| 2 Chr 17:14-19 | Details King Jehoshaphat's military organization: "This was their distribution according to their fathers' households... 300,000 valiant warriors." | Similar emphasis on organizing by fathers' houses and listing numbers, showing an effective king. |
| Psa 20:7 | "Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God." | Emphasizes reliance on God over military might or numbers. |
| Psa 33:16-17 | "The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not rescued by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it rescue anyone by its great strength." | Reinforces that divine salvation, not military might, brings true victory. |
| Isa 31:1 | "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses and trust in chariots because they are numerous, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!" | Warning against trusting in foreign military alliances or strength instead of God. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord of armies.'" | Spiritual strength ultimately transcends physical military power. |
| Mat 22:21 | "...Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s." | While not directly military, it speaks to civic duty within the bounds of what God permits. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God..." | Principles of government authority, under which military organization falls, appointed by God. |
| Eph 6:11, 13-17 | "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil... put on the full armor of God... the belt of truth... the breastplate of righteousness... feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith..." | Spiritual warfare concept, with "shield" and other "armor" signifying divine protection and equipment for believers. |
2 Chronicles 25 verses
2 Chronicles 25 5 Meaning
King Amaziah, upon ascending the throne of Judah, meticulously gathered and organized his army. This involved a detailed census of all eligible men, adhering strictly to the Mosaic Law regarding military service and organization, and preparing them for battle with the necessary equipment. The verse highlights his immediate efforts to establish a powerful and lawfully structured military force from both Judah and Benjamin, consisting of three hundred thousand trained and well-equipped soldiers.
2 Chronicles 25 5 Context
Chapter 25 of 2 Chronicles details the reign of King Amaziah of Judah, the son of King Joash. Following his father's assassination, Amaziah began his reign by executing those who had killed his father, doing so in accordance with the Law of Moses (not executing their children, 2 Chr 25:4). Verse 5 marks his next significant act: the lawful preparation of his military. This initial obedience and organization stands in contrast to his later actions, particularly his hiring of additional mercenary forces from Israel (2 Chr 25:6) and, more gravely, his worship of Edomite gods after achieving victory (2 Chr 25:14-16), leading to his ultimate downfall. Historically, kings in the ancient Near East routinely conducted military censuses to assess their fighting strength. The Chronicler emphasizes Amaziah's adherence to the Mosaic Law ("twenty years old and upward," "fathers' houses," "commanders of thousands and hundreds") as a sign of proper, God-approved leadership in the early stages of his reign. This military readiness precedes his campaign against Edom.
2 Chronicles 25 5 Word analysis
- Moreover: This connective adverb links Amaziah's military preparations directly to his previous righteous actions, such as avenging his father and obeying the Mosaic Law regarding the punishment of murderers (2 Chr 25:3-4). It indicates a continuation of his efforts to govern well, initially.
- Amaziah: King of Judah, son of Joash. His name means "Yahweh is mighty" or "Strength of Yahweh." This name could be seen as ironic given his later decision to trust in pagan gods. The Chronicler highlights him as one of the kings who did "what was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not with a loyal heart" (2 Chr 25:2).
- gathered Judah together and organized them: Demonstrates a purposeful, ordered leadership. This was not a chaotic levy but a structured military mobilization, reflecting sound governance and foresight.
- according to their fathers' houses: The Hebrew term is lĕ-bêt ’āḇôtām, meaning "according to their paternal households." This indicates that the census and organization were done according to the traditional Israelite tribal and family units. This method goes back to the Exodus generation and the wilderness wanderings, signifying adherence to deeply established, divinely ordained societal and military structures. It highlights a proper and orderly method, aligning with ancestral customs rooted in God's covenant with Israel.
- by commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds: The Hebrew terms are śārê ’ălāp̄îm wĕśārê mē’ôt, meaning "commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds." This hierarchical military command structure was advised by Jethro to Moses (Exod 18:21, 25) and implemented throughout Israel's history (Deut 1:15, 2 Chr 17:14-19). It reflects an efficient, recognized, and divinely sanctioned organizational model for a large army, facilitating communication and control.
- for all Judah and Benjamin: This specifies the composition of Amaziah's kingdom – the two tribes that formed the Southern Kingdom after the division. This clarifies the extent of his military reach and the people under his direct rule.
- And he mustered: The Hebrew word is wayyipqōd, often translated "counted," "inspected," or "reviewed." In a military context, it signifies a census for war or a mustering of forces, implying readiness and official recording. It carries the weight of official royal action in preparation for military campaign.
- those twenty years old and upward: The Hebrew is mi-ben ‘esrîm šānâ wā-ma‘lâ. This is a direct reference and strict adherence to the Law of Moses concerning military service eligibility, as prescribed in Numbers 1:3 and 26:2. It indicates that Amaziah initially operated within the legal boundaries set by God for Israelite warfare, contrasting with pagan practices that might exploit child soldiers or compel unsuitable individuals into service. This demonstrates a form of initial obedience to God's statutes.
- who were able to go out to war: The Hebrew kōl yōṣē’ ṣāḇā’ means "all who went out for the army." This signifies fit, able-bodied men suitable for active military service, distinguishing them from the general population. It indicates physical capability and readiness for combat.
- found them to be three hundred thousand choice men: The Hebrew maṭṣā’ means "he found," referring to the outcome of his mustering. "Three hundred thousand" represents a formidable number for the kingdom of Judah. "Choice men" (Hebrew: bāḥûr) implies they were selected, robust, and strong warriors, emphasizing quality as well as quantity. This demonstrates the significant military potential of Judah and Benjamin when organized according to divine parameters.
- able to handle spear and shield: This details their weaponry and combat readiness. The spear (rōmaḥ) was a long thrusting weapon, and the shield (māḡēn) provided defensive protection. Their ability to wield these common and essential instruments indicates proper training and equipment, confirming their status as a well-prepared and armed fighting force. This detail provides tangible evidence of their combat readiness.
2 Chronicles 25 5 Bonus section
The Chronicler often emphasizes the importance of adherence to the Law of Moses for the prosperity and legitimacy of Judah's kings. Amaziah's detailed military census, specifically citing "twenty years old and upward" and "by fathers' houses," reinforces this theological agenda. This precise accounting method and age requirement reflect a deliberate compliance with Mosaic Law, which would have resonated deeply with the original post-exilic audience, stressing the continuous relevance of the covenant and its commands for national success. This detailed description of a "lawful" army further sets a baseline against which Amaziah's subsequent choices—such as hiring unauthorized mercenary forces from Israel for an additional 100 talents of silver (2 Chr 25:6), a decision God rebukes (2 Chr 25:7-9)—are contrasted. This verse showcases the principle of legitimate preparation, which when departed from, regardless of military success, leads to divine disfavor. The large sum of money invested in the lawfully mustered army (implicitly by training and equipping) is contrasted with the subsequent financial loss for relying on external, ungodly forces.
2 Chronicles 25 5 Commentary
2 Chronicles 25:5 depicts King Amaziah's prudent and Law-abiding approach to preparing for war, a characteristic trait of a good Israelite king in the Chronicler's eyes. His methodical organization of the military, using traditional tribal units and established command structures (commanders of thousands and hundreds), demonstrates a sound understanding and application of God's statutes, echoing practices from Moses' time. Furthermore, by restricting military service to those "twenty years old and upward," Amaziah directly adheres to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing legitimacy and divine approval of his initial actions. This military force of 300,000 "choice men," equipped with spears and shields, was impressive and indicated Judah's strength when operating within the divine framework. This verse sets the stage, portraying Amaziah as a king who initially honored God's law in his military endeavors, before his tragic turn towards idolatry. This highlights that obedience in one area does not guarantee overall faithfulness.