2 Chronicles 20:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 20:6 mean?

2 Chronicles 20:6 describes a prayer where the speaker, addressing God, recognizes God’s supreme authority and power over all nations and kingdoms. The verse emphasizes that no one can stand against God’s might, highlighting God’s unique position as ruler over all the earth.

In this verse, King Jehoshaphat is praying to God in front of the people of Judah during a time of crisis, as enemy armies are threatening them. Jehoshaphat’s words remind the people that God is not only their ancestral God but also the sovereign ruler of heaven and earth, with unmatched strength and control over every kingdom, including those considered foreign or hostile.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 20:6

• LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, used here to stress God’s covenant relationship with Israel’s ancestors.
• God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This word is a general term for God or gods, but in this context, it points to the one true God’s power and authority.
• kingdoms (מַמְלָכָה, mamlakhah): This word refers to organized realms or nations, emphasizing that God’s rule is not limited to Israel but extends over all political powers.
• power (כֹּחַ, koach) and might (גְּבוּרָה, gevurah): These two words together stress both the ability and the strength God has, underlining that nothing can resist or oppose Him.

Why 2 Chronicles 20:6 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that God’s authority is limited only to Israel; it stresses that God rules over all nations, even those considered outsiders or enemies.
• The verse sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, showing that Jehoshaphat’s confidence in God’s help is based on God’s proven power and sovereignty.
• By using both God’s personal name (Yahweh) and the general term for God (Elohim), the prayer connects God’s special relationship with Israel to His universal rule, reminding the people of both His closeness and His greatness.