King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 14:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 14:13 in the King James Version says “And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could n...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Chronicles 14:13 · KJV

Context

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

14

And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.

15

They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.

Read 2 Chronicles 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Seeking God wholeheartedly brings peace and blessing. 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 · 22 words
וַיִּרְדְּפֵ֨ם1 of 22

“that were with him pursued”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אָסָ֜א2 of 22

“And Asa”

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

וְהָעָ֣ם3 of 22

“and the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁר4 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עִמּוֹ֮5 of 22
H5973

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

עַד6 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

לִגְרָר֒7 of 22

“them unto Gerar”

H1642

gerar, a philistine city

וַיִּפֹּ֤ל8 of 22

“were overthrown”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

מִכּוּשִׁים֙9 of 22

“and the Ethiopians”

H3569

a cushite, or descendant of cush

לְאֵ֣ין10 of 22
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָהֶ֣ם11 of 22
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מִֽחְיָ֔ה12 of 22

“that they could not recover”

H4241

preservation of life; hence, sustenance; also the live flesh, i.e., the quick

כִּֽי13 of 22
H3588

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

נִשְׁבְּר֥וּ14 of 22

“themselves for they were destroyed”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

וְלִפְנֵ֣י15 of 22

“and before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֖ה16 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וְלִפְנֵ֣י17 of 22

“and before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מַֽחֲנֵ֑הוּ18 of 22

“his host”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ19 of 22

“and they carried away”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

שָׁלָ֖ל20 of 22

“spoil”

H7998

booty

הַרְבֵּ֥ה21 of 22

“much”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

מְאֹֽד׃22 of 22

“very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

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 14:13 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 14:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 10:19Genesis 20:1Genesis 26:12 Chronicles 14:141 Samuel 25:28Job 9:4

Places in This Verse

GerarSettlement · Modern: Tel Haror · 31.38°N, 34.61°E9 verses across 2 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 14 →

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