King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 13:12 Mean?

2 Chronicles 13:12 in the King James Version says “And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.”

2 Chronicles 13:12 · KJV

Context

10

But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:

11

And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

12

And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.

13

But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.

14

And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.

Read 2 Chronicles 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Covenant faithfulness brings victory despite odds. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהִנֵּה֩1 of 20
H2009

lo!

עִמָּ֨נוּ2 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בָרֹ֜אשׁ3 of 20

“himself is with us for our captain”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

אֱלֹהֵֽי4 of 20

“And behold God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְכֹֽהֲנָ֛יו5 of 20

“and his priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וַחֲצֹֽצְר֥וֹת6 of 20

“trumpets”

H2689

a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note)

הַתְּרוּעָ֖ה7 of 20

“with sounding”

H8643

clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum

לְהָרִ֣יעַ8 of 20

“to cry alarm”

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם9 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּנֵ֣י10 of 20

“against you O children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל11 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אַל12 of 20
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּלָּ֥חֲמ֛וּ13 of 20

“fight”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עִם14 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יְהוָ֥ה15 of 20

“ye not against the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵֽי16 of 20

“And behold God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם17 of 20

“of your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

כִּי18 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֥א19 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַצְלִֽיחוּ׃20 of 20

“for ye shall not prosper”

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 13:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 13:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 5:39Romans 8:31Numbers 10:8-9Zechariah 10:5Deuteronomy 28:29Jeremiah 50:24

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 13 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes