And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

2 CHRONICLES 20:6KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“withstand” Hebrew H3320 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 2:4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
  • Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

“might” Hebrew H1369 · used in 61 verses

  • Exodus 32:18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
  • Job 26:14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
  • Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

“rulest” Hebrew H4910 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 1:18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
  • Psalms 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
  • Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

“kingdoms” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 14:5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;