2 Chronicles 20:2

2 Chronicles 20:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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 Hazazon–tamar, which is En–gedi.
• New International Version (NIV)Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).
• English Standard Version (ESV)Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi).
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi).

Context of 2 Chronicles 20:2

1Now it happened after this that the Moabites and the Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. Then it was reported to Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude has come against you from beyond the [Dead] Sea, out of Aram (Syria); and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is, Engedi).” 3Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set himself [determinedly, as his vital need] to seek the Lord; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4So [the people of] Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord; indeed they came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord [longing for Him with all their heart].

2 Chronicles 20:2 word by word

וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ לִֽיהוֹשָׁפָט֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּ֣א עָלֶ֜יךָ הָמ֥וֹן רָ֛ב מֵעֵ֥בֶר לַיָּ֖ם מֵאֲרָ֑ם וְהִנָּם֙ בְּחַֽצְצ֣וֹן תָּמָ֔ר הִ֖יא עֵ֥ין גֶּֽדִי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Then there cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• some that toldנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָטyehôshâphâţ · JehoshaphatH3092
• sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• a greatרַבrab · manyH7227
• multitudeהָמוֹןhâmôn hâmôn · crowdH1995
• against thee from beyondעֵ֫בֶר‛êber · side: beyondH5676
• the seaיָםyâm · seaH3220
• on this side Syriaאֲרָם'ărâm · EdomH758
• in Hazazon–tamarחַצֲצֹן תָּמָרchatstsôn tâmâr chatsătsôn tâmâr · Hazazon-tamarH2688
• En–gediעֵין גֶּ֫דִי‛êyn gedîy · EngediH5872

Cross-references for 2 Chronicles 20:2

• Genesis 14:3All of these [kings] joined together [as allies] in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Sea of Salt).
• Numbers 34:12and the [eastern] boundary shall go down to the Jordan [River], and its limit shall be at the Salt (Dead) Sea. This shall be your land according to its boundaries all around.’ ”
• Joshua 3:16the waters which were flowing down from above stopped and rose up in one mass a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan. Those [waters] flowing downward toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed [the river] opposite Jericho.
• Genesis 14:7Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and subdued all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar.
• Joshua 15:62and Nibshan and the City of Salt and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
• 1 Samuel 23:29David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.

Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 20:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2On this side Syria - Instead of מארם mearam, from Syria, I would read with one of Kennicott's MSS. (89) מאדם meedom, from Edom, which alteration brings it to truth and does not require the change of half a letter, as it consists in the almost imperceptible difference between ר resh and ד daleth . We do not read of any Syrians in this invasion, but we know there were Edomites, or inhabitants of Mount Seir. Hazazon-tamar - "In the wood of palm trees, that…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Translate, “from beyond the sea, from Edom.” The “sea” intended is, of course, the Dead Sea. “Syria” (Aram) is probably a mistake of a copyist for “Edom” (compare 2 Samuel 8:12 note). On Engedi, see 1 Samuel 23:29 note.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Translating the word as Edom instead of Aram aligns with the Chronicler’s later description of the armies (2 Chronicles 20:10, 22–23) and the geographical description of the attack from the southeast through En-gedi. (Aram was northeast of Judah.)Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. from beyond the sea on this side Syria--Instead of "Syria," some versions read "Edom," and many able critics prefer this reading, both because the nomad tribes here mentioned were far from Syria, and because express mention is made of Mount Seir, that is, Edom. The meaning then is: this confederate horde was composed of the different tribes that inhabited the far distant regions bordering on the northern and eastern coasts of the Red Sea. Their…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Chronicles 20:2

• En-Gedi
• Faithfulness
• Hazezon-Tamar
• Jehoshaphat

In the dictionaries

• Jehoshaphat
• Syria
• Tamar
• En-Gedi
• Syria, Ashur
• the sea, the Great Sea, the western sea
• Hazazon-Tamar
• Hazezontamar
• Sanctuary
• Ammon; Ammonites

Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings