2 Chronicles 20:27

Authorized King James Version

Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָשׁ֥וּב
H7725
Then they returned
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#2
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
אִ֨ישׁ
H376
every man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#4
יְהוּדָ֤ה
H3063
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#5
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
H3389
and Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#6
וִיהֽוֹשָׁפָ֣ט
H3092
and Jehoshaphat
jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem
#7
בְּרֹאשָׁ֔ם
H7218
in the forefront
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#8
לָשׁ֥וּב
H7725
Then they returned
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#9
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
H3389
and Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#11
בְּשִׂמְחָ֑ה
H8057
with joy
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
#12
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
שִׂמְּחָ֥ם
H8055
had made them to rejoice
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
#14
יְהוָ֖ה
H3068
for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
מֵאֽוֹיְבֵיהֶֽם׃
H341
over their enemies
hating; an adversary

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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection