New English Translation
2 Chronicles 20:2
2Messengers arrived and reported to Jehoshaphat, “A huge army is attacking you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from the direction of Edom. Look, they are in Hazezon Tamar (that is, En Gedi).”
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
1Later the Moabites and Ammonites, along with some of the Meunites, attacked Jehoshaphat. Messengers arrived and reported to Jehoshaphat, “A huge army is attacking you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from the direction of Edom. Look, they are in Hazezon Tamar (that is, En Gedi).” 3Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he decided to seek the Lord’s advice. He decreed that all Judah should observe a fast. 4The people of Judah assembled to ask for the Lord’s help; they came from all the cities of Judah to ask for the Lord’s help.
Read all of 2 Chronicles 202 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 14:3These last five kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
- Numbers 34:12Then the border will continue down the Jordan River and its direction will be to the Salt Sea. This will be your land by its borders that surround it.’”
- Joshua 3:16the water coming downstream toward them stopped flowing. It piled up far upstream at Adam (the city near Zarethan); there was no water at all flowing to the sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea). The people crossed the river opposite Jericho.
- Genesis 14:7Then they attacked En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh) again, and they conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazazon Tamar.
- Joshua 15:62Nibshan, the city of Salt, and En Gedi – a total of six cities and their towns.
- 1 Samuel 23:29(24:1) Then David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of En Gedi.
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
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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