King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 17:14 Mean?

2 Chronicles 17:14 in the King James Version says “And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah th...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.”

2 Chronicles 17:14 · KJV

Context

12

And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. castles: or, palaces

13

And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

14

And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

15

And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. next: Heb. at his hand

16

And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

Read 2 Chronicles 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Teaching God's law brings blessing and security. 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 · 15 words
וְאֵ֥לֶּה1 of 15
H428

these or those

פְקֻדָּתָ֖ם2 of 15

“And these are the numbers”

H6486

visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)

לְבֵ֣ית3 of 15

“of them according to the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם4 of 15

“of their fathers”

H1

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

לִֽיהוּדָה֙5 of 15

“Of Judah”

H3063

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

הַשָּׂ֔ר6 of 15

“the captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

אָֽלֶף׃7 of 15

“of thousands”

H505

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

עַדְנָ֣ה8 of 15

“Adnah”

H5734

adnah, the name of two israelites

הַשָּׂ֔ר9 of 15

“the captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וְעִמּוֹ֙10 of 15
H5973

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

גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי11 of 15

“and with him mighty men”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

חַ֔יִל12 of 15

“of valour”

H2428

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

שְׁלֹ֥שׁ13 of 15

“three”

H7969

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

מֵא֖וֹת14 of 15

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אָֽלֶף׃15 of 15

“of thousands”

H505

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

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 17:14 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 17:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 15:52 Chronicles 11:1Numbers 1:22 Chronicles 13:3Genesis 13:16Numbers 1:18

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