King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:37 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:37 in the King James Version says “Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself wit...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.”

2 Chronicles 20:37 · KJV

Context

35

And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:

36

And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.

37

Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

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 · 22 words
וַיִּתְנַבֵּ֞א1 of 22

“prophesied”

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

אֱלִיעֶ֤זֶר2 of 22

“Then Eliezer”

H461

eliezer, the name of a damascene and of ten israelites

בֶּן3 of 22

“the son”

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

דֹּֽדָוָ֙הוּ֙4 of 22

“of Dodavah”

H1735

dodavah, an israelite

מִמָּ֣רֵשָׁ֔ה5 of 22

“of Mareshah”

H4762

mareshah, the name of two israelites and of a place in palestine

עַל6 of 22
H5921

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

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֖ט7 of 22

“against Jehoshaphat”

H3092

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

לֵאמֹ֑ר8 of 22

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כְּהִֽתְחַבֶּרְךָ֣9 of 22

“Because thou hast joined”

H2266

to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate

עִם10 of 22
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲחַזְיָ֗הוּ11 of 22

“thyself with Ahaziah”

H274

achazjah, the name of a jewish and an israelite king

פָּרַ֤ץ12 of 22

“hath broken”

H6555

to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)

יְהוָה֙13 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶֽת14 of 22
H853

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

מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָ15 of 22

“thy works”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

וַיִּשָּֽׁבְר֣וּ16 of 22

“were broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

אֳנִיּ֔וֹת17 of 22

“And the ships”

H591

a ship

וְלֹ֥א18 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָֽצְר֖וּ19 of 22

“that they were not able”

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

לָלֶ֥כֶת20 of 22
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל21 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תַּרְשִֽׁישׁ׃22 of 22

“to Tarshish”

H8659

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

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 20:37 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 20:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 13:202 Chronicles 9:212 Chronicles 19:22 Chronicles 16:91 Kings 22:48Revelation 3:19

Places in This Verse

MareshahSettlement · Modern: Tel Maresha · 31.59°N, 34.90°E6 verses across 3 books
Tarshish 1Settlement · Modern: Huelva · 37.27°N, -6.94°E16 verses across 6 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 20 →

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