2 Chronicles 20:17

Authorized King James Version

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Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

Original Language Analysis

לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לָכֶ֖ם H0
לָכֶ֖ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 22
לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם Ye shall not need to fight H3898
לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם Ye shall not need to fight
Strong's: H3898
Word #: 3 of 22
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
בָּזֹ֑את in this H2063
בָּזֹ֑את in this
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 4 of 22
this (often used adverb)
הִתְיַצְּב֣וּ battle set H3320
הִתְיַצְּב֣וּ battle set
Strong's: H3320
Word #: 5 of 22
to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
עִמְד֡וּ yourselves stand H5975
עִמְד֡וּ yourselves stand
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 6 of 22
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וּרְא֣וּ ye still and see H7200
וּרְא֣וּ ye still and see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 7 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְשׁוּעַת֩ the salvation H3444
יְשׁוּעַת֩ the salvation
Strong's: H3444
Word #: 9 of 22
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
וַֽיהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
וַֽיהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמָּכֶ֜ם H5973
עִמָּכֶ֜ם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 11 of 22
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יְהוּדָ֣ה with you O Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֣ה with you O Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 12 of 22
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם and Jerusalem H3389
וִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם and Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 13 of 22
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 14 of 22
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּֽירְאוּ֙ fear H3372
תִּֽירְאוּ֙ fear
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 15 of 22
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וְאַל H408
וְאַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 16 of 22
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֵּחַ֔תּוּ not nor be dismayed H2865
תֵּחַ֔תּוּ not nor be dismayed
Strong's: H2865
Word #: 17 of 22
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
מָחָר֙ to morrow H4279
מָחָר֙ to morrow
Strong's: H4279
Word #: 18 of 22
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
צְא֣וּ go out H3318
צְא֣וּ go out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 19 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם against H6440
לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם against
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 20 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַֽיהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
וַֽיהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 21 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמָּכֶֽם׃ H5973
עִמָּכֶֽם׃
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 22 of 22
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

Cross References

2 Chronicles 15:2And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Matthew 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.2 Chronicles 32:8With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.Lamentations 3:26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.Numbers 14:9Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.Psalms 46:7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Isaiah 30:15For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.Matthew 1:23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Analysis & Commentary

The prophetic word continues: 'Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.' The command combines apparent contradictions - 'go out' (active) yet 'not fight' (passive), 'set yourselves' (prepare) yet 'stand still' (don't act). This tension requires faith: obey the summons to battle while trusting God to fight. 'See the salvation of the LORD' echoes Moses at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14). Fear and dismay are forbidden because 'the LORD will be with you.' This prefigures Christ's victory where believers contribute nothing to salvation yet must respond in faith and obedience.

Historical Context

This prophetic strategy (c. 853 BCE) tested Judah's faith - march to battle but don't fight. Their obedience resulted in enemies destroying each other (20:22-23), vindicating God's word. This became a testimony that salvation belongs to the LORD alone.

Questions for Reflection