King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:25 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:25 in the King James Version says “And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 20:25 · KJV

Context

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.

26

And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day. Berachah: that is, blessing

27

Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. forefront: Heb. head

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 26 words
וַיָּבֹ֨א1 of 26

“came”

H935

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

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֣ט2 of 26

“And when Jehoshaphat”

H3092

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

וְעַמּוֹ֮3 of 26

“and his people”

H5971

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

בֹּֽזְזִ֥ים4 of 26

“in gathering”

H962

to plunder

אֶת5 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשָּׁלָ֖ל6 of 26

“of the spoil”

H7998

booty

וַיִּמְצְאוּ֩7 of 26

“of them they found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בָהֶ֨ם8 of 26
H0
לָרֹ֜ב9 of 26

“among them in abundance”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

וּרְכ֤וּשׁ10 of 26

“both riches”

H7399

property (as gathered)

וּפְגָרִים֙11 of 26

“with the dead bodies”

H6297

a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image

וּכְלֵ֣י12 of 26

“jewels”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

חֲמֻד֔וֹת13 of 26
H2530

to delight in

וַיְנַצְּל֥וּ14 of 26

“which they stripped off”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

לָהֶ֖ם15 of 26
H0
לְאֵ֣ין16 of 26

“for themselves more than”

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַשָּׂ֑א17 of 26

“they could carry away”

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

וַיִּֽהְי֞וּ18 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יָמִ֧ים19 of 26

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שְׁלוֹשָׁ֛ה20 of 26

“and they were three”

H7969

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

בֹּֽזְזִ֥ים21 of 26

“in gathering”

H962

to plunder

אֶת22 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשָּׁלָ֖ל23 of 26

“of the spoil”

H7998

booty

כִּ֥י24 of 26
H3588

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

רַב25 of 26

“it was so much”

H7227

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

הֽוּא׃26 of 26
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 20:25 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 20:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 30:19-20Numbers 31:152 Kings 7:9-16Proverbs 3:15Psalms 68:12Ezekiel 39:8-9

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