2 Chronicles 20:6
And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֞ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֞ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהִים֙
God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 20
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
אֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙
of our fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙
of our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
4 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הֲלֹ֨א
H3808
הֲלֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ה֤וּא
H1931
ה֤וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֱלֹהִים֙
God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 20
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
בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם
in heaven
H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם
in heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
9 of 20
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַמְלְכ֣וֹת
not thou over all the kingdoms
H4467
מַמְלְכ֣וֹת
not thou over all the kingdoms
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
13 of 20
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
of the heathen
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
of the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
14 of 20
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וּבְיָֽדְךָ֙
and in thine hand
H3027
וּבְיָֽדְךָ֙
and in thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 20
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כֹּ֣חַ
is there not power
H3581
כֹּ֣חַ
is there not power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
16 of 20
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
וּגְבוּרָ֔ה
and might
H1369
וּגְבוּרָ֔ה
and might
Strong's:
H1369
Word #:
17 of 20
force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:39Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.Daniel 4:17This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.Isaiah 66:1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?Acts 11:17Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?Psalms 47:8God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.Psalms 115:3But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.Matthew 6:13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.Matthew 6:9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Joshua 2:11And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.1 Kings 8:23And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
Historical Context
Facing coalition attack (c. 853 BCE), Jehoshaphat began prayer by establishing theological foundation - God's sovereignty over nations. This worldview enabled faith that God could and would deliver, producing the subsequent miraculous victory (20:22-24).
Questions for Reflection
- How does affirming God's sovereignty over 'all kingdoms' shape your prayers about political situations and world events?
- What situations in your life need to be viewed through the lens that 'none is able to withstand' God?
Analysis & Commentary
Jehoshaphat's prayer acknowledges God's sovereignty: 'And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?' The rhetorical questions expect affirmation - God is sovereign over heaven, rules all earthly kingdoms, possesses irresistible power, and cannot be withstood. This theology grounds prayer's confidence - if God is sovereign over all nations and irresistible in power, then He can certainly deliver Judah. Reformed theology emphasizes God's comprehensive sovereignty as comfort, not threat. Christ demonstrates this sovereignty - even crucifixion advanced God's purposes, and resurrection proved nothing can withstand God.