King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:12 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:12 in the King James Version says “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither kno... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

2 Chronicles 20:12 · KJV


Context

10

And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;

11

Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.

12

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

13

And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

14

Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jehoshaphat's prayer facing overwhelming military odds contains one of Scripture's most honest confessions: 'O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.' This models prayer's progression: appeal to God's justice, confession of powerlessness, admission of confusion, and finally, total dependence ('our eyes are upon thee'). The honesty about not knowing what to do contradicts false confidence; the commitment to look to God expresses true faith. Reformed theology emphasizes this posture - human inability driving dependence on divine sufficiency. This prayer anticipates Christ's invitation to cast all anxiety on Him.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The coalition of Moab, Ammon, and Edom invaded Judah (c. 853 BCE) with overwhelming force. Jehoshaphat's response - calling nationwide fast and seeking God rather than military strategy - demonstrated covenant priorities and resulted in miraculous deliverance (20:15-24).

Reflection Questions

  1. What impossible situation are you facing where you need to confess 'we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You'?
  2. How does admitting powerlessness and ignorance become the gateway to experiencing God's power and wisdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙1 of 22

O our 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

הֲלֹ֣א2 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׁפָּט3 of 22

wilt thou not judge

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

בָּ֔ם4 of 22
H0
כִּ֣י5 of 22
H3588

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

אֵ֥ין6 of 22
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בָּ֙נוּ֙7 of 22
H0
כֹּ֔חַ8 of 22

them for we have no might

H3581

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

לִ֠פְנֵי9 of 22

against

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

הֶֽהָמ֥וֹן10 of 22

company

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

הָרָ֛ב11 of 22

this great

H7227

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

הַזֶּ֖ה12 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַבָּ֣א13 of 22

that cometh

H935

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

עָלֵ֑ינוּ14 of 22
H5921

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

וַֽאֲנַ֗חְנוּ15 of 22

we

H587

we

לֹ֤א16 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נֵדַע֙17 of 22

against us neither know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מַֽה18 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

נַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה19 of 22

what to do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כִּ֥י20 of 22
H3588

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

עָלֶ֖יךָ21 of 22
H5921

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

עֵינֵֽינוּ׃22 of 22

but our eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)


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 20:12 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 20:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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