New English Translation
2 Chronicles 20:15
15He said: “Pay attention, all you people of Judah, residents of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Don’t be afraid and don’t panic because of this huge army! For the battle is not yours, but 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 men of Judah were standing before the Lord, along with their infants, wives, and children. 14Then in the midst of the assembly, the Lord’s Spirit came upon Jachaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph. He said: “Pay attention, all you people of Judah, residents of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Don’t be afraid and don’t panic because of this huge army! For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16Tomorrow march down against them as they come up the Ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ravine in front of the Desert of Jeruel. 17You will not fight in this battle. Take your positions, stand, and watch the Lord deliver you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid and don’t panic! Tomorrow march out toward 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 brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic because of the king of Assyria and this huge army that is with him! We have with us one who is stronger than those who are with him.
- Exodus 14:13Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord that he will provide for you today; for the Egyptians that you see today you will never, ever see again.
- Deuteronomy 1:29So I responded to you, “Do not be terrified of them!
- Deuteronomy 20:1When you go to war against your enemies and see chariotry and troops who outnumber you, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, is with you.
- Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!”
- Joshua 11:6The Lord told Joshua, “Don’t be afraid of them, for about this time tomorrow I will cause all of them to lie dead before Israel. You must hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.”
- Nehemiah 4:14When I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lord, and fight on behalf of your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your families!”
- Psalms 17:1Lord, consider my just cause! Pay attention to my cry for help! Listen to the prayer I sincerely offer!
- Isaiah 41:10Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you – yes, I help you – yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!
- Isaiah 43:1Now, this is what the Lord says, the one who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: “Don’t be afraid, for I will protect you. I call you by name, you are mine.
- 2 Chronicles 32:8He has with him mere human strength, but the Lord our God is with us to help us and fight our battles!” The army was encouraged by the words of King Hezekiah of Judah.
- 1 Samuel 17:47and all this assembly will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves! For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will deliver you into our hand.”
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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