2 Chronicles 20:29

Authorized King James Version

And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
פַּ֣חַד
H6343
And the fear
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
#3
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
H430
of God
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
#4
עַ֖ל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
מַמְלְכ֣וֹת
H4467
was on all the kingdoms
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#7
הָֽאֲרָצ֑וֹת
H776
of those countries
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
בְּשָׁמְעָ֕ם
H8085
when they had heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#9
כִּ֚י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
נִלְחַ֣ם
H3898
fought
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#11
יְהוָ֔ה
H3068
that the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#12
עִ֖ם
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#13
אֽוֹיְבֵ֥י
H341
against the enemies
hating; an adversary
#14
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show imperial and royal imagery familiar to subjects of ancient monarchies, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection