King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 13:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 13:3 in the King James Version says “And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam a...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour. Abijah set: Heb. Abijah bound together”

2 Chronicles 13:3 · KJV

Context

1

Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.

2

He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

3

And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour. Abijah set: Heb. Abijah bound together

4

And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;

5

Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?

Read 2 Chronicles 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.

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.

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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 · 23 words
וַיֶּאְסֹ֨ר1 of 23

“in array”

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

אֲבִיָּ֜ה2 of 23

“And Abijah”

H29

abijah, the name of several israelite men and two israelitesses

אֶת3 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִלְחָמָ֔ה4 of 23

“also set the battle”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

חָֽיִל׃5 of 23

“of valour”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

גִּבּ֥וֹר6 of 23

“being mighty men”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

מִלְחָמָ֔ה7 of 23

“also set the battle”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

אַרְבַּע8 of 23

“even four”

H702

four

מֵא֥וֹת9 of 23

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֶ֛לֶף10 of 23

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִ֥ישׁ11 of 23

“men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בָּח֖וּר12 of 23

“chosen”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

וְיָֽרָבְעָ֗ם13 of 23

“Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

עָרַ֤ךְ14 of 23

“in array”

H6186

to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)

עִמּוֹ֙15 of 23
H5973

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

מִלְחָמָ֔ה16 of 23

“also set the battle”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

בִּשְׁמוֹנֶ֨ה17 of 23

“against him with eight”

H8083

a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth

מֵא֥וֹת18 of 23

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֶ֛לֶף19 of 23

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִ֥ישׁ20 of 23

“men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בָּח֖וּר21 of 23

“chosen”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

גִּבּ֥וֹר22 of 23

“being mighty men”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

חָֽיִל׃23 of 23

“of valour”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

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 13:3 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 13:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 17:1-32 Chronicles 26:12-132 Chronicles 17:14-182 Chronicles 14:8-92 Chronicles 11:11 Chronicles 21:5

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