2 Chronicles 26:12 kjv
The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valor were two thousand and six hundred.
2 Chronicles 26:12 nkjv
The total number of chief officers of the mighty men of valor was two thousand six hundred.
2 Chronicles 26:12 niv
The total number of family leaders over the fighting men was 2,600.
2 Chronicles 26:12 esv
The whole number of the heads of fathers' houses of mighty men of valor was 2,600.
2 Chronicles 26:12 nlt
These regiments of mighty warriors were commanded by 2,600 clan leaders.
2 Chronicles 26 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 26:13 | Under their command was an army, three hundred seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power... | Details the size of Uzziah's total army. |
| 2 Chr 14:8 | Asa also had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand... | Mentions a large, organized army under Asa. |
| 2 Chr 17:14-19 | These are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands... | Jehoshaphat's well-organized army by clans. |
| Num 1:1-3 | The LORD spoke to Moses... Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel... every male by their polls... | Example of divinely commanded military census. |
| Exod 18:21-22 | Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men... and place such over them... and they shall judge the people at all seasons... | Jethro's advice on judicial/military hierarchy. |
| Deut 1:15 | So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you... | Selection of leaders for thousands, hundreds. |
| 2 Sam 23:8-39 | These be the names of the mighty men whom David had... | Reference to David's renowned military leaders. |
| 1 Chr 12:8 | And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold in the wilderness mighty men of valor... | Mighty men specifically noted for strength. |
| 1 Kgs 4:7 | And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king... | Shows organized administrative structures for logistics. |
| Psa 33:16-17 | No king is saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. A horse is a vain thing for safety... | Contrasts human military might with divine deliverance. |
| Prov 21:31 | The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. | God's ultimate role in victory, not mere strength. |
| Zech 4:6 | Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. | God's Spirit, not human force, is the source of true power. |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong... | Warning against trusting in human military strength over God. |
| Jer 17:5 | Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm... | Rebuke for relying on human power, applicable to armies. |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S... | David's confession that God wins battles. |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. | Highlights where true trust should lie. |
| 1 Chr 29:26 | Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. | Broad context of the prosperity under righteous kings. |
| Prov 24:5 | A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. | Connects strength to wisdom, relevant for leaders. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. | New Testament principle of divine empowerment. |
| Eph 6:10 | Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. | Call to rely on spiritual strength, contrasting with flesh. |
| Neh 7:4 | Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and the houses were not rebuilt. | Contrast with dense populations/armies that required such leaders. |
| Hab 1:6 | For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land... | Example of God raising up powerful armies for His purpose. |
2 Chronicles 26 verses
2 Chronicles 26 12 Meaning
2 Chronicles 26:12 states the precise number of the principal commanders who led King Uzziah's formidable army: "And the number of the chief fathers of the mighty men of valor was two thousand and six hundred." This verse details the sophisticated command structure and the sheer scale of Uzziah's military force, emphasizing the strength and organization of his kingdom, which flourished during the period of God's blessing upon him. It highlights the structured leadership that presided over the numerous soldiers described subsequently.
2 Chronicles 26 12 Context
This verse is part of 2 Chronicles Chapter 26, which details the reign of King Uzziah (also known as Azariah). The early part of the chapter emphasizes Uzziah's initial righteousness and success due to his seeking the Lord and being advised by Zechariah. As long as he sought the Lord, "God made him to prosper" (v. 5). This prosperity is detailed through various aspects, including his military advancements, building activities (towers, wells), agricultural pursuits, and strategic defenses. Verses 11-15 specifically highlight Uzziah's robust military organization, training, equipment, and strength. Verse 12 serves as the initial quantification of this military might, specifying the exact number of the top-tier military commanders—the heads of families of the valiant warriors—who oversaw the entire fighting force, further elucidated in the next verse (v. 13) which lists the total number of soldiers. This organized power underscores the greatness that Uzziah achieved under God's blessing before his eventual downfall due to pride and unlawfully entering the temple (v. 16-21).
2 Chronicles 26 12 Word Analysis
- And the number: The Hebrew term for "number" is מִסְפַּר (mispar), which indicates a count, a census, or a specific quantity. Its use here signifies a precise, formal enumeration, not a vague estimate, pointing to a well-structured and accountable military administration. The Chronicler often pays careful attention to numbers, highlighting organization and scale as signs of divine blessing or judgment.
- of the chief fathers: The Hebrew phrase is רָאשֵׁי הָאָבוֹת (rashei ha'avot), literally "heads of the fathers." This designates the heads of families or patriarchal units, indicating that the military leadership was rooted in the tribal and familial structures of Israelite society. These were not just appointed officers but often figures of hereditary influence and authority, commanding respect based on their lineage and position within their clan. This system allowed for a deeply embedded and stable chain of command, integrating the military into the social fabric.
- of the mighty men of valor: The Hebrew is גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל (gibborei chayil). This compound phrase is significant:
- גִּבּוֹר (gibbor): means "mighty, strong, hero." It denotes someone possessing great physical prowess, courage, or power. It's often used for warriors, champions, or strong individuals.
- חַיִל (chayil): means "strength, power, ability, wealth, valor." It can refer to military force, wealth, or general capability and virtue. When combined with gibbor, "gibborei chayil" signifies not just physically strong men, but men of excellent moral character, wealth, high status, and proven military ability—elite, accomplished individuals who commanded respect and possessed substantial resources or influence. These were the true leaders and commanders, demonstrating strategic acumen and personal bravery.
- was two thousand and six hundred: This specific number (2,600) represents the upper echelon of military command—the direct commanders of large units, demonstrating Uzziah's kingdom had an impressive leadership hierarchy in place, necessary to manage the vast army mentioned subsequently (over 300,000 soldiers in v. 13). The precision of the figure further underlines the Chronicler's emphasis on meticulous records and the substantial organization behind Uzziah's prosperity. This number directly refers to the heads, who then commanded the officers and men under them.
2 Chronicles 26 12 Bonus Section
The Chronicler often uses detailed lists and numbers, particularly concerning military organization, priestly divisions, and temple resources, to emphasize divine order and the scope of God's blessings when His people are faithful. This verse, like others detailing army sizes and commanders (e.g., Asa's and Jehoshaphat's armies), reinforces the Chronicler's theological perspective that success and strength, especially in warfare, are a direct result of obedience to God. The emphasis on "chief fathers" and "mighty men of valor" also draws a parallel to David's famed warriors, implicitly connecting Uzziah's military excellence to the golden age of Israelite military history, suggesting a renewed divine favor reminiscent of that era. This deep structure was not self-made but empowered by God during Uzziah's early faithful period.
2 Chronicles 26 12 Commentary
2 Chronicles 26:12 provides a crucial detail about King Uzziah's military infrastructure. It zeroes in on the leadership stratum, specifying that there were 2,600 "chief fathers of the mighty men of valor" directly in command. This wasn't merely a count of foot soldiers, but of the pivotal, highest-ranking commanders—men of proven capability, noble lineage, and significant influence within the societal framework. This immense leadership cadre signifies the kingdom's extensive organizational capacity and its military prowess under Uzziah's reign. The Chronicler highlights this detailed count as part of God's blessing upon Uzziah because he sought the Lord. It paints a picture of a nation blessed with effective leadership and formidable strength, demonstrating the fruits of a divinely favored rule. However, this same impressive organization, blessed by God, later became the stage for Uzziah's ultimate downfall, as he would rely on this very strength rather than on God, leading to his act of presumption in the temple. The meticulous numbering, therefore, foreshadows both the peak of his power and the source of his pride.