2 Chronicles 20:36 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 20:36 mean?

2 Chronicles 20:36 describes how Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, formed an alliance with Ahaziah, king of Israel, to build ships intended for a voyage to Tarshish, and that these ships were constructed at Eziongeber. The verse highlights a cooperative effort between the two kings focused on maritime trade or exploration.

Jehoshaphat is the main figure here, and the verse is part of a narrative about his reign. The setting is a time when kings often sought economic gain through overseas ventures. Eziongeber was a port on the Red Sea, making it a strategic location for building ships. The mention of Tarshish suggests ambitions for long-distance trade, possibly with distant lands known for wealth.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 20:36

• "joined" (חָבַר, chavar): This word means to ally or bind together, emphasizing that Jehoshaphat was not acting alone but deliberately partnering with Ahaziah, which is significant given the often troubled relationship between Judah and Israel.
• "ships" (אֳנִיָּה, oniyah): The term refers to large sea-going vessels, indicating a serious investment in maritime activity, not just local fishing boats.
• "Tarshish" (תַּרְשִׁישׁ, Tarshish): This place name is often associated with distant, possibly western, trading ports—sometimes thought to be in Spain or another far-off location—implying the scale and ambition of the venture.
• "Eziongeber" (עֶצְיֹן גֶּבֶר, Eziongeber): This was a key port at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, showing the practical starting point for the ships’ journey.

Why 2 Chronicles 20:36 matters

• The verse clarifies that Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah was not just political but also economic, aimed at expanding trade and wealth through overseas ventures.
• This cooperation is notable because earlier in the chapter, Jehoshaphat is praised for his faithfulness, but here he aligns with a king of Israel, which the wider passage later criticizes as unwise.
• The detail about shipbuilding at Eziongeber connects this event to earlier biblical accounts of Solomon’s maritime trade, showing a recurring pattern of seeking prosperity through sea routes.