2 Chronicles 26:13 kjv
And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
2 Chronicles 26:13 nkjv
And under their authority was an army of three hundred and seven thousand five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
2 Chronicles 26:13 niv
Under their command was an army of 307,500 men trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies.
2 Chronicles 26:13 esv
Under their command was an army of 307,500, who could make war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
2 Chronicles 26:13 nlt
The army consisted of 307,500 men, all elite troops. They were prepared to assist the king against any enemy.
2 Chronicles 26 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:46 | All those who were numbered were 603,550. | Demonstrates large-scale national census for military potential in Israel. |
| 1 Chr 7:40 | All these were the sons of Asher, heads of the fathers' houses, choice mighty men of valor... for service in war; their number was 26,000. | Illustrates tribal military strength and preparedness. |
| 1 Chr 21:5 | Israel had 1,100,000 fighting men, and Judah had 470,000 fighting men. | Indicates David's immense national army for warfare. |
| 1 Chr 27:1 | Now this is the numbering of the children of Israel... officers, and captains... for divisions for the service of the king... | Describes systematic organization of military forces. |
| 2 Chr 14:8 | Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah who carried shields... and from Benjamin 280,000... | Shows another instance of a large, well-equipped army in Judah. |
| 2 Chr 17:14-19 | (Lists Jehoshaphat’s immense forces: 300k, 280k, 200k, 180k, 120k for total of 1.16 million) | Details another king's vast, organized army for strength and defense. |
| Ps 18:32 | It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. | God as the ultimate source of strength for successful ventures, including warfare. |
| Ps 20:7 | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. | Contrasts reliance on human military power with trust in the Lord for victory. |
| Ps 33:16-17 | A king is not saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety... | Reaffirms that ultimate deliverance comes from God, not from army size. |
| Prov 21:31 | The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is from the Lord. | Preparation is good, but victory ultimately rests with God. |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong... | Condemns reliance on foreign military aid or human might instead of God. |
| Gen 14:14 | Abram led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen... | Early biblical example of a small but highly trained fighting force. |
| Jdg 20:16 | Among all these people were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. | Highlights skilled and specialized warriors within a military context. |
| 1 Sam 14:52 | There was fierce war against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any mighty man or any valiant man, he took him for himself. | Illustrates the king's active role in gathering and building a strong army. |
| Neh 4:13 | Therefore I stationed armed men in the lower places behind the wall... | Demonstrates strategic organization of defenders for a specific purpose. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. | Universal principle exemplified by Uzziah's later downfall due to his strength. |
| 2 Chr 26:5 | He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. | Explains the divine source of Uzziah's initial prosperity, including his military success. |
| 2 Chr 26:15 | ...he made machines of war, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners... for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. | Further details Uzziah's military innovation and the miraculous help he received. |
| 2 Chr 26:16 | But when he became strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction... | Immediately following v. 15, it introduces the negative consequence of his strength: pride. |
| Dan 4:37 | Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven... and those who walk in pride He is able to put down. | Connects pride with divine humbling, echoing Uzziah's experience. |
| Jam 4:6 | But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” | New Testament teaching on God's opposition to pride. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders... For “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” | Another New Testament reminder about humility and pride. |
2 Chronicles 26 verses
2 Chronicles 26 13 Meaning
This verse describes King Uzziah's substantial and well-organized military force, totaling three hundred and seven thousand five hundred soldiers. These warriors were not merely numerous but were characterized by their formidable strength and skill in combat. Their primary function was to actively support the king and protect the kingdom from adversaries, highlighting Uzziah's initial success and strategic foresight in building a robust national defense during his reign.
2 Chronicles 26 13 Context
2 Chronicles chapter 26 chronicles the reign of King Uzziah (also known as Azariah) of Judah. It initially depicts him as a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (v. 4) and prospered greatly, especially "as long as he sought the Lord" (v. 5). This prosperity is strikingly evident in his military might, described in verse 13. He strengthened Jerusalem's fortifications, waged successful wars against the Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites (v. 6-8), and received tribute, earning widespread renown (v. 8). His administrative achievements also included extensive agricultural development (v. 10). The Chronicler emphasizes his diligence and the Lord's "marvelous help" (v. 15), which resulted in Uzziah becoming exceedingly strong. Verse 13, therefore, presents the impressive scale of Uzziah's armed forces, which were a tangible outcome of God's blessing and the king's capable leadership. However, this period of immense power ultimately precedes his downfall due to pride (v. 16), making this verse a snapshot of the height of his strength before his fatal transgression.
2 Chronicles 26 13 Word analysis
And under their hand: The phrase וְעַל־יָדָם (ve'al-yadam) signifies direct control, command, or supervision. It indicates that the army was organized and administered by a structured military hierarchy, implying effective leadership and management rather than just a loose collection of men. It shows that the specific officers (mentioned in 2 Chr 26:11-12) were directly responsible for this large military body.
was an army: The term used here, חַיִל (chayil), commonly refers to a military force but carries broader connotations of strength, wealth, or capable individuals. In this context, it emphasizes that Uzziah's military was not just a multitude but a strong, effective, and capable force.
three hundred and seven thousand and five hundred: This precise and exceptionally large figure (שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף וְשִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת – shelosh-me’ot eleph veshiv'at alaphim vachamesh me’ot) underscores the immense scale of Uzziah's military power. It reflects Judah's demographic and economic prosperity during his reign, indicating a vast reservoir of manpower and a well-organized system to muster such numbers.
that made war: This participial phrase (עֹשֵׂי מִלְחָמָה – osey milchamah), literally "doers of war," characterizes these soldiers as active, professional warriors. It denotes their readiness, training, and experience in combat, indicating a standing force consistently engaged or prepared for military action.
with mighty power: This emphatic phrase (בְּחֵיל כֹּחַ – becheil koach), combining chayil ("strength" or "force") with koach ("power" or "might"), highlights the potent and vigorous nature of the army. It conveys that they were not just numerous but also robust, physically capable, and effective in wielding force on the battlefield.
to help the king: This clause (לַעֲזֹר לַמֶּלֶךְ – la'azor lammelech) explicitly states the army's fundamental purpose: to provide active and loyal support to King Uzziah. It emphasizes the military as a direct instrument of royal authority and national policy, dedicated to upholding the king's rule.
against the enemy: This final directional phrase (עַל הָאוֹיֵב – al ha'oyev) defines the army's specific tactical objective. It confirms their role in directly confronting and overcoming adversaries, essential for maintaining Judah's security, protecting its borders, and expanding its influence against perennial threats like the Philistines and Arabs mentioned earlier in the chapter.
"And under their hand was an army... that made war with mighty power": This phrase highlights a military force that was not only organized and effectively commanded ("under their hand") but also characterized by its active, skilled, and powerful engagement in warfare. It suggests a professional and formidable fighting force rather than just a simple conscription of men, signifying Judah's robust military infrastructure.
"three hundred and seven thousand and five hundred... to help the king against the enemy": This segment underscores the immense numerical strength of Uzziah's military, an astonishing figure that reflects a period of great national prosperity and administrative efficiency under his rule. This vast military was fundamentally geared towards supporting the monarchy and actively confronting the kingdom's adversaries, securing Uzziah's reign and extending Judah's influence.
2 Chronicles 26 13 Bonus section
The Chronicler’s particular emphasis on the specific number and organization of Uzziah's army aligns with his thematic focus on the correlation between obedience to God and material blessing or prosperity. For the original audience, such detailed statistics underscored the tangible benefits of a righteous king's reign. Uzziah's military strength was not just for defense; his fame reached Egypt (v. 8) and his innovations in military engineering (v. 15) further underscore the sophistication of his rule. The precise figures might also reflect meticulous historical records accessible to the Chronicler, lending credibility to the account of Uzziah's prosperous but ultimately flawed reign. This immense army represented security and power, making the subsequent narrative of his pride-fueled leprosy a starker contrast and a profound lesson about the transience of human glory when divorced from humble reliance on the Most High.
2 Chronicles 26 13 Commentary
2 Chronicles 26:13 succinctly captures the zenith of King Uzziah's military might and Judah's flourishing prosperity during his initial years of obedience to God. The Chronicler’s meticulous detail, down to the exact count of 307,500 trained warriors, showcases an extraordinary feat of national organization, economic robustness, and military readiness for its era. The army was not merely numerous but functioned "with mighty power," implying they were skilled, well-equipped, and effective in combat. This strength was a direct manifestation of God's "marvelous help" (v. 15) and Uzziah's effective leadership while he faithfully sought the Lord. This powerful depiction serves to underline the extent of divine blessing on an obedient king and kingdom. However, within the broader narrative of Uzziah’s life, this formidable strength paradoxically became the very foundation for the pride (v. 16) that led to his downfall and spiritual transgression. The verse, therefore, represents a pivotal point, illustrating the glorious height achieved before the tragic descent brought about by human hubris.