King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 14:11 Mean?

2 Chronicles 14:11 in the King James Version says “And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them th... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. man: or, mortal man

2 Chronicles 14:11 · KJV


Context

9

And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.

10

Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

11

And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. man: or, mortal man

12

So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.

13

And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil. destroyed: Heb. broken


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
King Asa's prayer facing overwhelming odds: 'And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.' This prayer acknowledges that God's power is independent of human strength - whether many or few, strong or weak, makes no difference to God. The basis for confidence: 'we rest on thee' (dependence) and 'in thy name' (by divine authority). The final appeal - 'let not man prevail against thee' - recognizes that attacks on God's people are ultimately challenges to God Himself. Christ embodies this truth - His victory over sin and death came through weakness (the cross), demonstrating God's power perfected in weakness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Asa faced Ethiopian invasion with million-strong army (c. 896 BCE). His prayer before battle demonstrated faith that victories belong to the LORD, not military might. God delivered Judah completely (14:12-15), validating Asa's trust and providing an enduring example of dependence on God alone.

Reflection Questions

  1. What overwhelming odds are you facing where you need to recognize 'it is nothing with God to help' regardless of your weakness?
  2. How does understanding that opposition to you as God's child is ultimately opposition to God Himself change your perspective on spiritual battles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וַיִּקְרָ֨א1 of 32

cried

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אָסָ֜א2 of 32

And Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

אֶל3 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֤ה4 of 32

LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙5 of 32

his 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

וַיֹּאמַר֒6 of 32

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֤ה7 of 32

LORD

H3068

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

אֵֽין8 of 32
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

עִמְּךָ֤9 of 32
H5973

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

עָזְרֵ֜נוּ10 of 32

help

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

בֵּ֥ין11 of 32

whether

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

רַב֙12 of 32

with many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

לְאֵ֣ין13 of 32
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

כֹּ֔חַ14 of 32

or with them that have no power

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

עָזְרֵ֜נוּ15 of 32

help

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

יְהוָ֤ה16 of 32

LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙17 of 32

his 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

כִּֽי18 of 32
H3588

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

עָלֶ֣יךָ19 of 32
H5921

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

נִשְׁעַ֔נּוּ20 of 32

for we rest

H8172

to support one's self

וּבְשִׁמְךָ֣21 of 32

on thee and in thy name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

בָ֔אנוּ22 of 32

we go

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַל23 of 32
H5921

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

הֶֽהָמ֖וֹן24 of 32

against this multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

הַזֶּ֑ה25 of 32
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יְהוָ֤ה26 of 32

LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙27 of 32

his 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

אַ֔תָּה28 of 32
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אַל29 of 32
H408

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

יַעְצֹ֥ר30 of 32

prevail

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

עִמְּךָ֖31 of 32
H5973

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

אֱנֽוֹשׁ׃32 of 32

let not man

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)


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 14:11 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 14:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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