2 Chronicles 20:15

Authorized King James Version

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 your's, but God's.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אָמַ֨ר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

הַקְשִׁ֤יבוּ

H7181

Hearken

to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken

כָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְהוּדָה֙

H3063

ye all Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵ֣י

H3427

and ye inhabitants

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם

H3389

of Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ

H4428

and thou king

a king

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט

H3092

Jehoshaphat

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

כֹּֽה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

#10

אָמַ֨ר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#11

יְהוָ֜ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#12

לָכֶ֗ם

#13

אַ֠תֶּם

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#14

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

#15

תִּֽירְא֤וּ

H3372

unto you Be not afraid

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

#16

וְאַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

#17

תֵּחַ֙תּוּ֙

H2865

nor dismayed

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

#18

מִפְּנֵ֨י

H6440

by reason

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#19

הֶֽהָמ֤וֹן

H1995

multitude

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

#20

הָרָב֙

H7227

of this great

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

#21

הַזֶּ֔ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#22

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#23

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#24

לָכֶ֛ם

#25

הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה

H4421

for the battle

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#26

כִּ֥י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#27

לֵֽאלֹהִֽים׃

H430

is not yours but God's

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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Chronicles chapter 20 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?