2 Chronicles 13:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 13:17 mean?

2 Chronicles 13:17 describes how King Abijah and his army defeated the army of Israel in battle, resulting in a massive loss for Israel—five hundred thousand of their chosen soldiers were killed. This verse highlights the scale of the victory and the devastating defeat for Israel.

In this passage, the chronicler is recounting a battle between the southern kingdom of Judah, led by Abijah, and the northern kingdom of Israel. The verse emphasizes the overwhelming nature of Judah’s victory, showing both the effectiveness of Abijah’s leadership and the seriousness of the conflict between the two kingdoms. The number given is meant to convey the magnitude of the event in the eyes of the original audience.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 13:17

• "slew" (נָכָה, nākhāh): This word often means to strike or to defeat, not just to kill. It underscores the idea of a decisive blow or overwhelming defeat, not merely the act of killing.
• "great" (רַב, rav): This word means "many" or "great" and is used here to stress the extraordinary scale of the slaughter.
• "slaughter" (מַכָּה, makkāh): This term can mean a blow, wound, or defeat, and in this context, it points to a devastating military loss, not just a body count.
• "chosen" (בָּחַר, bāchar): This word describes select or elite men, indicating that those who fell were not just ordinary soldiers but the best of Israel’s army.

Why 2 Chronicles 13:17 matters

• The verse clarifies the scale and seriousness of the civil conflict between Judah and Israel, showing how deep the division had become.
• The use of words for "chosen men" and "great slaughter" emphasizes that Israel lost not just a large number, but its best warriors, making the defeat even more significant.
• This verse sets up the context for the rest of the chapter, where the chronicler explains the reasons behind Judah’s victory, often linking it to faithfulness to God.