King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:21 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:21 in the King James Version says “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holi...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. that: Heb. praisers”

2 Chronicles 20:21 · KJV

Context

19

And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

20

And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

21

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. that: Heb. praisers

22

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. And when: Heb. And in the time that they, etc to sing: Heb. in singing and praise they were: or, they smote one another

23

For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. to destroy: Heb. for the destruction

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The extraordinary battle strategy 'he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army' demonstrates worship as warfare. Sending singers ahead of soldiers seems militarily foolish but theologically profound. Praising 'the beauty of holiness' (hadrat qodesh) focuses on God's character rather than the threat. This act of faith - worshiping before seeing victory - exhibits trust in God's promise (20:15). The result was miraculous: God set ambushments and enemies destroyed each other (20:22-23). This teaches that spiritual battles are won through worship and faith, prefiguring Christ's victory through apparent weakness (the cross).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This unconventional military tactic (c. 853 BCE) required extraordinary faith from both Jehoshaphat and the people. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Near Eastern armies didn't employ worship choirs as front-line troops, making this strategy unique to covenant faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. What battles in your life need to be approached with worship and praise rather than conventional strategy?
  2. How can praising God's character before seeing deliverance strengthen your faith in difficult circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיִּוָּעַץ֙1 of 18

“And when he had consulted”

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

אֶל2 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֔ם3 of 18

“with the people”

H5971

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

וַיַּֽעֲמֵ֤ד4 of 18

“he appointed”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

מְשֹֽׁרֲרִים֙5 of 18

“singers”

H7891

to sing

לַֽיהוָ֔ה6 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וּֽמְהַלְלִ֖ים7 of 18

“and that should praise”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

לְהַדְרַת8 of 18

“the beauty”

H1927

decoration

קֹ֑דֶשׁ9 of 18

“of holiness”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

בְּצֵאת֙10 of 18

“as they went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לִפְנֵ֣י11 of 18

“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

הֶֽחָל֔וּץ12 of 18

“the army”

H2502

to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen

וְאֹֽמְרִים֙13 of 18

“and to say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הוֹד֣וּ14 of 18

“Praise”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

לַֽיהוָ֔ה15 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

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

כִּ֥י16 of 18
H3588

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

לְעוֹלָ֖ם17 of 18

“endureth for ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

חַסְדּֽוֹ׃18 of 18

“for his mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

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 20:21 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 20:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 107:1Psalms 106:12 Chronicles 5:131 Chronicles 16:341 Chronicles 16:29Ezra 3:10-11

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