King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:6 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:6 in the King James Version says “And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathe... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

2 Chronicles 20:6 · KJV


Context

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,

6

And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

7

Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? who: Heb. thou

8

And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jehoshaphat's prayer acknowledges God's sovereignty: 'And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?' The rhetorical questions expect affirmation - God is sovereign over heaven, rules all earthly kingdoms, possesses irresistible power, and cannot be withstood. This theology grounds prayer's confidence - if God is sovereign over all nations and irresistible in power, then He can certainly deliver Judah. Reformed theology emphasizes God's comprehensive sovereignty as comfort, not threat. Christ demonstrates this sovereignty - even crucifixion advanced God's purposes, and resurrection proved nothing can withstand God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Facing coalition attack (c. 853 BCE), Jehoshaphat began prayer by establishing theological foundation - God's sovereignty over nations. This worldview enabled faith that God could and would deliver, producing the subsequent miraculous victory (20:22-24).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does affirming God's sovereignty over 'all kingdoms' shape your prayers about political situations and world events?
  2. What situations in your life need to be viewed through the lens that 'none is able to withstand' God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּאמַ֗ר1 of 20

And said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֞ה2 of 20

O LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהִים֙3 of 20

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙4 of 20

of our fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הֲלֹ֨א5 of 20
H3808

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

אַתָּה6 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

ה֤וּא7 of 20
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

אֱלֹהִים֙8 of 20

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם9 of 20

in heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְאַתָּ֣ה10 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

מוֹשֵׁ֔ל11 of 20

and rulest

H4910

to rule

בְּכֹ֖ל12 of 20
H3605

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

מַמְלְכ֣וֹת13 of 20

not thou over all the kingdoms

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

הַגּוֹיִ֑ם14 of 20

of the heathen

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

וּבְיָֽדְךָ֙15 of 20

and in thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כֹּ֣חַ16 of 20

is there not power

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

וּגְבוּרָ֔ה17 of 20

and might

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

וְאֵ֥ין18 of 20
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

עִמְּךָ֖19 of 20
H5973

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

לְהִתְיַצֵּֽב׃20 of 20

so that none is able to withstand

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue


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 20:6 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 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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