King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:23 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:23 in the King James Version says “For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Chronicles 20:23 · KJV

Context

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

24

And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. none: Heb. there was not an escaping

25

And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God fights for those who seek Him in crisis. 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 · 17 words
וַ֠יַּֽעַמְדוּ1 of 17

“stood up”

H5975

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

בְּנֵ֨י2 of 17

“For the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֧וֹן3 of 17

“of Ammon”

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וּמוֹאָ֛ב4 of 17

“and Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

עַל5 of 17
H5921

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

בְּיֽוֹשְׁבֵ֣י6 of 17

“against the inhabitants”

H3427

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

הַר7 of 17

“of mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

שֵׂעִ֔יר8 of 17

“Seir”

H8165

seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine

לְהַֽחֲרִ֣ים9 of 17

“utterly to slay”

H2763

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

וּלְהַשְׁמִ֑יד10 of 17

“and destroy”

H8045

to desolate

וּכְכַלּוֹתָם֙11 of 17

“them and when they had made an end”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

בְּיֽוֹשְׁבֵ֣י12 of 17

“against the inhabitants”

H3427

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

שֵׂעִ֔יר13 of 17

“Seir”

H8165

seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine

עָֽזְר֥וּ14 of 17

“helped”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

אִישׁ15 of 17

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּרֵעֵ֖הוּ16 of 17

“another”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

לְמַשְׁחִֽית׃17 of 17

“to destroy”

H4889

destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)

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 20:23 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 20:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 7:221 Samuel 14:20Joshua 24:4Ezekiel 35:2-3Genesis 36:8-9Deuteronomy 2:5

Places in This Verse

AmmonRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E106 verses across 19 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
Mount Seir 1Mountain Range · Modern: Jebel esh Shera · 30.18°N, 35.32°E34 verses across 9 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 20 →

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