And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
2 CHRONICLES 20:15KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 20:15 mean?
2 Chronicles 20:15 tells the people of Judah, Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat not to be afraid or discouraged by the large enemy army, because the coming battle belongs to God, not to them. The verse reassures them that God will take responsibility for the outcome, so they do not need to fear.
In this scene, a prophet speaks to King Jehoshaphat and all the people as they face a threatening invasion. The message is direct: even though the enemy force is overwhelming, the people are told to listen and trust that God is in control. The verse shifts the focus from human strength to God's power, offering comfort and encouragement in a moment of crisis.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 20:15
- "Hearken" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means to listen carefully or pay close attention, emphasizing that the people should take the message seriously and not ignore it.
- "Afraid" (יָרֵא, yareʾ) and "dismayed" (חָתַת, chathat): These words highlight two different reactions—fear and discouragement. The verse addresses both emotional responses, showing that God is concerned with the people's inner state as well as their actions.
- "Battle" (מִלְחָמָה, milchamah): This word is used for armed conflict, but the verse makes it clear that this particular fight is not for the people to win by their own effort; it is God's battle.
- "God's" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This name for God often carries the sense of power and majesty, underscoring that the battle is in the hands of the all-powerful one, not ordinary people.
Why 2 Chronicles 20:15 matters
- This verse clarifies that the focus is not on the people's ability to fight, but on their trust in God's intervention, which is a key theme in the chapter.
- It addresses both fear and discouragement, showing that God cares about how people feel in moments of crisis, not just what they do.
- The statement connects to the larger story, where God delivers Judah without them needing to fight, highlighting God's faithfulness and the importance of listening to His word.