King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 14:8 Mean?

2 Chronicles 14:8 in the King James Version says “And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.”

2 Chronicles 14:8 · KJV

Context

6

And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.

7

Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.

8

And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

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.

Read 2 Chronicles 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

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
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְאָסָ֗א2 of 22

“And Asa”

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

חָֽיִל׃3 of 22

“had an army”

H2428

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

נֹֽשְׂאֵ֤י4 of 22

“of men that bare”

H5375

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

צִנָּ֣ה5 of 22

“targets”

H6793

a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness)

וָרֹמַח֒6 of 22

“and spears”

H7420

a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point

מִֽיהוּדָה֙7 of 22

“out of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

שְׁלֹ֣שׁ8 of 22

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

מָאתַ֥יִם9 of 22

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אָ֑לֶף10 of 22

“thousand”

H505

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

וּמִבִּנְיָמִ֗ן11 of 22

“and out of Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

נֹֽשְׂאֵ֤י12 of 22

“of men that bare”

H5375

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

מָגֵן֙13 of 22

“shields”

H4043

a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile

וְדֹ֣רְכֵי14 of 22

“and drew”

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

קֶ֔שֶׁת15 of 22

“bows”

H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

מָאתַ֥יִם16 of 22

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וּשְׁמוֹנִ֖ים17 of 22

“and fourscore”

H8084

eighty, also eightieth

אָ֑לֶף18 of 22

“thousand”

H505

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

כָּל19 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֵ֖לֶּה20 of 22
H428

these or those

גִּבּ֥וֹרֵי21 of 22

“all these were mighty men”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

חָֽיִל׃22 of 22

“had an army”

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 14:8 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 14:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 13:32 Chronicles 17:14-192 Chronicles 11:12 Chronicles 25:5

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