God’s Word Translation
2 Chronicles 20:15
15Jahaziel said, “Pay attention to me, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says to you: Don’t be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle isn’t yours. It’s God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
- New International Version (NIV)He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Context of 2 Chronicles 20:15
13All the people from Judah, their infants, wives, and children were standing in front of the Lord. 14Then the Lord’s Spirit came to Jahaziel. (He was the son of Zechariah, grandson of Benaiah, great-grandson of Jeiel, whose father was Mattaniah, a Levite descended from Asaph.) Jahaziel said, “Pay attention to me, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says to you: Don’t be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle isn’t yours. It’s God’s. 16Tomorrow go into battle against them. They will be coming up the Ziz Pass. You will find them at the end of the valley in front of the Jeruel Desert. 17You won’t fight this battle. ⌞Instead,⌟ take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord for you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be frightened or terrified. Tomorrow go out to face them. The Lord is with you.”
Read all of 2 Chronicles 202 Chronicles 20:15 word by word
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הַקְשִׁ֤יבוּ כָל־יְהוּדָה֙ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט כֹּֽה־אָמַ֨ר יְהוָ֜ה לָכֶ֗ם אַ֠תֶּם אַל־תִּֽירְא֤וּ וְאַל־תֵּחַ֙תּוּ֙ מִפְּנֵ֨י הֶהָמ֤וֹן הָרָב֙ הַזֶּ֔ה כִּ֣י לֹ֥א לָכֶ֛ם הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה כִּ֥י לֵאלֹהִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- Hearkenקָשַׁבqâshab · to listenH7181
- ye, all Judahיְהוּדָהyehûdâh · JudahH3063
- and ye inhabitantsיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
- of Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵםyerûshâlaim yerûshâlayim · JerusalemH3389
- and thou kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
- Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָטyehôshâphâţ · JehoshaphatH3092
- the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- unto you, Be not afraidיָרֵאyârê' · to fearH3372
- nor dismayedחָתַתchâthath · to to be dismayedH2865
- by reasonפָּנֶהpânîym · face: becauseH6440
- of this greatרַבrab · manyH7227
- multitudeהָמוֹןhâmôn hâmôn · crowdH1995
- for the battleמִלְחָמָהmilchâmâh · battleH4421
- not yours, but God’sאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
Cross-references for 2 Chronicles 20:15
- 2 Chronicles 32:7“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be frightened or terrified by the king of Assyria or the crowd with him. Someone greater is on our side.
- Exodus 14:13Moses answered the people, “Don’t be afraid! Stand still, and see what the Lord will do to save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again.
- Deuteronomy 1:29Then I said to you, “Don’t tremble. Don’t be afraid of them.
- Deuteronomy 20:1When you go to war against your enemies, you may see horses, chariots, and armies larger than yours. Don’t be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, will be with you.
- Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and courageous. Don’t tremble! Don’t be afraid of them! The Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you.”
- Joshua 11:6The Lord told Joshua, “Don’t be afraid of them because I am going to give them to Israel. About this time tomorrow they will all be dead. You must disable their horses so that they cannot be used in battle. You must burn their chariots.”
- Nehemiah 4:14I looked them over and proceeded to tell the nobles, the leaders, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of our enemies. Remember how great and awe-inspiring the Lord is. Fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
- Psalms 17:1Hear my plea for justice, O Lord. Pay attention to my cry. Open your ears to my prayer, ⌞which comes⌟ from lips free from deceit.
- Isaiah 41:10Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.
- Isaiah 43:1The Lord created Jacob and formed Israel. Now, this is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
- 2 Chronicles 32:8The king of Assyria has human power on his side, but the Lord our God is on our side to help us and fight our battles.” So the people were encouraged by what King Hezekiah of Judah said.
- 1 Samuel 17:47Then everyone gathered here will know that the Lord can save without sword or spear, because the Lord determines every battle’s outcome. He will hand all of you over to us.”
Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 20:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15For the battle is not yours, but God's - God will not employ you in the discomfiture of this great host; he himself will take the matter in hand, deliver you, and destroy them.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15-17Verses 15-17 The prophet uses words familiar to the people, and connected with several great deliverances (see the marginal references). 2 Chronicles 20:16 By the “cliff (or, rather - as in the margin - ascent) of Ziz,” we must understand the mountain path which leads up from Engedi across the elevated tract still known as El-Husasah, in the direction of Tekoa 2 Chronicles 20:20. At the end of the brook - Rather, “at the end of the gulley,” or dry…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-19Verses 14-19 The Spirit of prophecy came upon a Levite in the midst of the congregation. The Spirit, like the wind, blows where and on whom He listeth. He encouraged them to trust in God. Let the Christian soldier go out against his spiritual enemies, and the God of peace will make him more than a conqueror. Our trials will prove our gain. The advantage will be all our own, but the whole glory must be given to God.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-17After Jehoshaphat's lament, Jahaziel's announcement of rescue met the requirements for the speech a priest was to give before battle (Deuteronomy 20:2–4).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 14-1814-18. Then upon Jahaziel ... came the Spirit of the Lord--This prophet is not elsewhere mentioned, but his claim to the inspiration of a prophetic spirit was verified by the calm and distinct announcement he gave, both of the manner and the completeness of the deliverance he predicted.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Chronicles 20:15
In the dictionaries
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
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