King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:27 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:27 in the King James Version says “Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Chronicles 20:27 · KJV

Joy

Context

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

28

And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.

29

And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

Read 2 Chronicles 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 15 words
לָשׁ֥וּב1 of 15

“Then they returned”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

כָּל2 of 15
H3605

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

אִ֨ישׁ3 of 15

“every man”

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)

יְהוּדָ֤ה4 of 15

“of Judah”

H3063

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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם5 of 15

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וִיהֽוֹשָׁפָ֣ט6 of 15

“and Jehoshaphat”

H3092

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

בְּרֹאשָׁ֔ם7 of 15

“in the forefront”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

לָשׁ֥וּב8 of 15

“Then they returned”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל9 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם10 of 15

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בְּשִׂמְחָ֑ה11 of 15

“with joy”

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

כִּֽי12 of 15
H3588

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

שִׂמְּחָ֥ם13 of 15

“had made them to rejoice”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

יְהוָ֖ה14 of 15

“for the LORD”

H3068

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

מֵאֽוֹיְבֵיהֶֽם׃15 of 15

“over their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

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 20:27 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 20:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 12:43Hebrews 6:20Psalms 30:12 Samuel 6:14-15Psalms 20:5Micah 2:13

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 20 →

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