King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 26:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 26:13 in the King James Version says “And under their hand was an army , three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And under their hand was an army , three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. an army: Heb. the power of an army”

2 Chronicles 26:13 · KJV

Context

11

Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.

12

The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.

13

And under their hand was an army , three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. an army: Heb. the power of an army

14

And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. slings: Heb. stones of slings

15

And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. spread: Heb. went forth

Read 2 Chronicles 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Prosperity leading to pride and presumption. 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 · 19 words
וְעַל1 of 19
H5921

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

יָדָם֩2 of 19

“And under their 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

חָ֑יִל3 of 19

“was an army”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

צָבָ֜א4 of 19
H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

שְׁלֹ֧שׁ5 of 19

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

מֵא֔וֹת6 of 19

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֲלָפִים֙7 of 19

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְשִׁבְעַ֤ת8 of 19

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אֲלָפִים֙9 of 19

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וַֽחֲמֵ֣שׁ10 of 19

“and five”

H2568

five

מֵא֔וֹת11 of 19

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

עוֹשֵׂ֥י12 of 19

“that made”

H6213

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

מִלְחָמָ֖ה13 of 19

“war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

בְּכֹ֣חַ14 of 19

“power”

H3581

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

חָ֑יִל15 of 19

“was an army”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

לַעְזֹ֥ר16 of 19

“to help”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ17 of 19

“the king”

H4428

a king

עַל18 of 19
H5921

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

הָֽאוֹיֵֽב׃19 of 19

“against the enemy”

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 26:13 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 26:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 25:52 Chronicles 13:32 Chronicles 14:82 Chronicles 11:12 Chronicles 17:14-19

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