And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.

2 CHRONICLES 13:12KJV
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2 Chronicles 13:12 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 13:12 mean?

2 Chronicles 13:12 declares that God is leading the people of Judah in battle, with His priests sounding trumpets as a warning to their opponents. The verse warns the Israelites not to fight against the LORD, the God of their ancestors, because they will not succeed if they do.

King Abijah of Judah is speaking to the northern kingdom of Israel before a battle. He is reminding them that Judah has God's support, shown by the presence of priests and trumpets, which were traditional signs of God's guidance in battle. Abijah urges the Israelites not to oppose God, making it clear that victory is impossible without God's favor.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 13:12

  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This word emphasizes God's power and authority as the true leader of Judah, not just a human king.
  • "Captain" (רֹאשׁ, rosh): This term means "head" or "chief," showing that God Himself is considered the leader of Judah's army.
  • "Sounding" (תְּרוּעָה, teru‘ah) and "trumpets" (חֲצֹצְרָה, chatsotsrah): These words refer to the loud blasts made by priests, which in Israelite tradition signaled God's presence and a call to battle or worship.
  • "Alarm" (רָעַע, rua‘): This word means to shout or sound an alarm, underscoring the seriousness of the warning given to Israel.

Why 2 Chronicles 13:12 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Judah's confidence is not in military strength but in God's leadership and presence, as shown by the priests and trumpets.
  • It highlights the importance of not opposing God, reminding the reader that success depends on being aligned with God's will.
  • This verse connects to the larger story, where Abijah appeals for unity and faithfulness to God, contrasting Judah's worship practices with those of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“trumpets” Hebrew H2689 · used in 27 verses

  • Numbers 10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:24 And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

“sounding” Hebrew H8643 · used in 33 verses

  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • 1 Samuel 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
  • Psalms 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

“alarm” Hebrew H7321 · used in 42 verses

  • Numbers 10:7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
  • Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
  • Psalms 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

“prosper” Hebrew H6743 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
  • 1 Kings 22:15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
  • Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.