2 Chronicles 14:11
And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
cried
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
cried
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 32
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֤ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
his God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
his God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 32
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יְהוָ֤ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמְּךָ֤
H5973
עִמְּךָ֤
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
9 of 32
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בֵּ֥ין
whether
H996
בֵּ֥ין
whether
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
11 of 32
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
רַב֙
with many
H7227
רַב֙
with many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
12 of 32
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
לְאֵ֣ין
H369
כֹּ֔חַ
or with them that have no power
H3581
כֹּ֔חַ
or with them that have no power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
14 of 32
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
יְהוָ֤ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
his God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
his God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 32
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָלֶ֣יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֣יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּבְשִׁמְךָ֣
on thee and in thy name
H8034
וּבְשִׁמְךָ֣
on thee and in thy name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
21 of 32
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
23 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הֶֽהָמ֖וֹן
against this multitude
H1995
הֶֽהָמ֖וֹן
against this multitude
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
24 of 32
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
יְהוָ֤ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
26 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
his God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
his God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
27 of 32
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
29 of 32
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יַעְצֹ֥ר
prevail
H6113
יַעְצֹ֥ר
prevail
Strong's:
H6113
Word #:
30 of 32
to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
Cross References
Jeremiah 1:19And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.Psalms 22:5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.Psalms 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.Acts 2:21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?2 Chronicles 13:14And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.Proverbs 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.2 Chronicles 13:18Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.1 Samuel 14:6And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.Psalms 120:1In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
Historical Context
Asa faced Ethiopian invasion with million-strong army (c. 896 BCE). His prayer before battle demonstrated faith that victories belong to the LORD, not military might. God delivered Judah completely (14:12-15), validating Asa's trust and providing an enduring example of dependence on God alone.
Questions for Reflection
- What overwhelming odds are you facing where you need to recognize 'it is nothing with God to help' regardless of your weakness?
- How does understanding that opposition to you as God's child is ultimately opposition to God Himself change your perspective on spiritual battles?
Analysis & Commentary
King Asa's prayer facing overwhelming odds: 'And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.' This prayer acknowledges that God's power is independent of human strength - whether many or few, strong or weak, makes no difference to God. The basis for confidence: 'we rest on thee' (dependence) and 'in thy name' (by divine authority). The final appeal - 'let not man prevail against thee' - recognizes that attacks on God's people are ultimately challenges to God Himself. Christ embodies this truth - His victory over sin and death came through weakness (the cross), demonstrating God's power perfected in weakness.