King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:15 in the King James Version says “And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

2 Chronicles 20:15 · KJV


Context

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;

15

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

16

To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. cliff: Heb. ascent brook: or, valley

17

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's response through Jahaziel 'Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's' transforms crisis into trust. The command against fear and dismay acknowledges natural human response to overwhelming odds. The theological pivot - 'the battle is not yours, but God's' (not 'your battle' but 'God's battle') - relieves pressure while requiring faith. This principle appears throughout Scripture when God's people face impossible situations. It demonstrates that spiritual warfare and kingdom advancement come through divine power, not human effort. This points to Christ's victory where believers are spectators and beneficiaries rather than combatants.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Delivered before battle (c. 853 BCE), this prophetic word required faith to obey - marching to battle while trusting God to fight. The subsequent victory without Judah striking a blow (20:22-24) confirmed the word's truth and became a testimony to surrounding nations.

Reflection Questions

  1. What battle are you fighting in your own strength that you need to recognize as 'God's battle'?
  2. How does knowing the battle belongs to God change your strategy, attitude, and expectations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
אָמַ֨ר1 of 27

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַקְשִׁ֤יבוּ2 of 27

Hearken

H7181

to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken

כָל3 of 27
H3605

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

יְהוּדָה֙4 of 27

ye all Judah

H3063

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

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵ֣י5 of 27

and ye inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם6 of 27

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ7 of 27

and thou king

H4428

a king

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט8 of 27

Jehoshaphat

H3092

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

כֹּֽה9 of 27
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֨ר10 of 27

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה11 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

לָכֶ֗ם12 of 27
H0
אַ֠תֶּם13 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אַל14 of 27
H408

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

תִּֽירְא֤וּ15 of 27

unto you Be not afraid

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וְאַל16 of 27
H408

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

תֵּחַ֙תּוּ֙17 of 27

nor dismayed

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

מִפְּנֵ֨י18 of 27

by reason

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

הֶֽהָמ֤וֹן19 of 27

multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

הָרָב֙20 of 27

of this great

H7227

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

הַזֶּ֔ה21 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּ֣י22 of 27
H3588

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

לֹ֥א23 of 27
H3808

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

לָכֶ֛ם24 of 27
H0
הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה25 of 27

for the battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

כִּ֥י26 of 27
H3588

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

לֵֽאלֹהִֽים׃27 of 27

is not yours but God's

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


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 20:15 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 20:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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