King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:3 in the King James Version says “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. himself: Heb. his ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. himself: Heb. his face”

2 Chronicles 20:3 · KJV

Context

1

It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

2

Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

3

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. himself: Heb. his face

4

And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

5

And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,

Read 2 Chronicles 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

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 · 12 words
וַיִּרָ֕א1 of 12

“feared”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וַיִּתֵּ֧ן2 of 12

“and set”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֛ט3 of 12

“And Jehoshaphat”

H3092

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

אֶת4 of 12
H853

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

פָּנָ֖יו5 of 12

“himself”

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

לִדְר֣וֹשׁ6 of 12

“to seek”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

לַֽיהוָ֑ה7 of 12

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיִּקְרָא8 of 12

“and proclaimed”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

צ֖וֹם9 of 12

“a fast”

H6685

a fast

עַל10 of 12

“throughout”

H5921

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

כָּל11 of 12
H3605

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

יְהוּדָֽה׃12 of 12

“all Judah”

H3063

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

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 20:3 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 20:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 9:3Jeremiah 36:9Joel 2:12-18Jonah 3:5-91 Samuel 7:62 Chronicles 19:3

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 20 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes