King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 25:9 Mean?

2 Chronicles 25:9 in the King James Version says “And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israe... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this. army: Heb. band

2 Chronicles 25:9 · KJV


Context

7

But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.

8

But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.

9

And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this. army: Heb. band

10

Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger. home again: Heb. to their place in great: Heb. in heat of anger

11

And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When King Amaziah worried about losing money paid to Israelite mercenaries, the prophet replied: 'The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.' This simple but profound statement addresses the perennial tension between obedience and perceived loss. Amaziah hired troops in disobedience (25:7), and obeying God's corrective word meant financial loss. The prophet's assurance that God can give 'much more' teaches that obedience never results in net loss - God compensates what we lose for His sake. Christ's teaching echoes this: those who leave houses or lands for His sake receive a hundredfold (Mark 10:29-30). Trusting God's ability to provide exceeds calculating financial advantage.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Amaziah's reign (c. 796-767 BCE) showed mixed faithfulness. His willingness to lose the hundred talents paid to Israelite troops (25:10) demonstrated faith, though his later idolatry (25:14) showed incomplete devotion. Partial obedience eventually fails.

Reflection Questions

  1. What financial or material loss are you reluctant to accept in order to obey God fully?
  2. How does trusting that 'the LORD is able to give much more' free you from anxious calculation about obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 21

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙2 of 21

And Amaziah

H558

amatsjah, the name of four israelites

אִ֣ישׁ3 of 21

And the 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)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים4 of 21

of 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

וּמַֽה5 of 21
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לַּעֲשׂוֹת֙6 of 21

But what shall we do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִמְאַ֣ת7 of 21

for the hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

הַכִּכָּ֔ר8 of 21

talents

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לָ֥תֶת10 of 21

able to give

H5414

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

לִגְד֣וּד11 of 21

to the army

H1416

a crowd (especially of soldiers)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל12 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙13 of 21

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִ֣ישׁ14 of 21

And the 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)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים15 of 21

of 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

יֵ֚שׁ16 of 21

is

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

לַֽיהוָ֔ה17 of 21

The LORD

H3068

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

לָ֥תֶת18 of 21

able to give

H5414

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

לְךָ֖19 of 21
H0
הַרְבֵּ֥ה20 of 21

thee much more

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

מִזֶּֽה׃21 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 25:9 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 25:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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