2 Chronicles 20:12
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
Original Language Analysis
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
O our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
O our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
1 of 22
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
הֲלֹ֣א
H3808
הֲלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁפָּט
wilt thou not judge
H8199
תִשְׁפָּט
wilt thou not judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
3 of 22
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹּ֔חַ
them for we have no might
H3581
כֹּ֔חַ
them for we have no might
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
8 of 22
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
לִ֠פְנֵי
against
H6440
לִ֠פְנֵי
against
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 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
הֶֽהָמ֥וֹן
company
H1995
הֶֽהָמ֥וֹן
company
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
10 of 22
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
הָרָ֛ב
this great
H7227
הָרָ֛ב
this great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
11 of 22
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
הַבָּ֣א
that cometh
H935
הַבָּ֣א
that cometh
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
13 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָלֵ֑ינוּ
H5921
עָלֵ֑ינוּ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נֵדַע֙
against us neither know
H3045
נֵדַע֙
against us neither know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
17 of 22
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מַֽה
H4100
מַֽה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
נַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה
what to do
H6213
נַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה
what to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
19 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
20 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 25:15Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.Psalms 141:8But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.Deuteronomy 32:36For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.Psalms 9:19Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.Psalms 43:1Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.Jonah 2:4Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.1 Samuel 3:13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.2 Samuel 14:11Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.Judges 11:27Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.Revelation 19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Historical Context
The coalition of Moab, Ammon, and Edom invaded Judah (c. 853 BCE) with overwhelming force. Jehoshaphat's response - calling nationwide fast and seeking God rather than military strategy - demonstrated covenant priorities and resulted in miraculous deliverance (20:15-24).
Questions for Reflection
- What impossible situation are you facing where you need to confess 'we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You'?
- How does admitting powerlessness and ignorance become the gateway to experiencing God's power and wisdom?
Analysis & Commentary
Jehoshaphat's prayer facing overwhelming military odds contains one of Scripture's most honest confessions: 'O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.' This models prayer's progression: appeal to God's justice, confession of powerlessness, admission of confusion, and finally, total dependence ('our eyes are upon thee'). The honesty about not knowing what to do contradicts false confidence; the commitment to look to God expresses true faith. Reformed theology emphasizes this posture - human inability driving dependence on divine sufficiency. This prayer anticipates Christ's invitation to cast all anxiety on Him.