2 Chronicles 20:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 20:17 mean?

2 Chronicles 20:17 tells the people of Judah and Jerusalem that they will not need to fight in the coming battle, but instead should take their positions, remain still, and watch as God brings them deliverance. The verse reassures them not to be afraid or discouraged, because God will be with them as they face their enemies the next day.

In this verse, a prophet is speaking to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and Jerusalem during a crisis: enemy armies are approaching, and the people are afraid. The message emphasizes that victory will come not through their own strength, but through God's intervention, and calls them to trust and watch what God will do.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 20:17

• "Salvation" (יְשׁוּעָה, yĕshû‘āh): This word means deliverance or rescue, not just spiritual salvation but real, practical help in danger. Here, it highlights that God will actively rescue the people from their enemies.
• "Stand" (עָמַד, ‘āmad): This word means to stand firm or take a position. The idea is not to run away or panic, but to remain steady and confident, trusting in God’s promise.
• "Fear" (יָרֵא, yārē’): This word often means to be afraid, but it can also mean to show reverence. In this context, it clearly means not to be frightened by the threat, because God’s presence changes the situation.

Why 2 Chronicles 20:17 matters

• This verse clarifies that sometimes God calls people to trust and watch, rather than act, showing that faith can mean waiting rather than fighting.
• The emphasis on God’s presence (“the LORD will be with you”) reassures the people that they are not alone, even when facing overwhelming odds.
• In the wider story, this verse is a turning point where fear is replaced by trust, setting up the miraculous deliverance that follows in the chapter.