He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.

2 CHRONICLES 25:6KJV
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2 Chronicles 25:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 25:6 mean?

2 Chronicles 25:6 describes how King Amaziah of Judah hired one hundred thousand strong and courageous soldiers from Israel, paying them one hundred talents of silver for their service. This verse shows Amaziah seeking extra military strength by hiring mercenaries from the neighboring northern kingdom.

The setting is the reign of Amaziah, king of Judah, as he prepares for war against Edom. Instead of relying solely on his own troops, Amaziah pays a large sum to secure additional fighting men from Israel. This decision is significant because it reflects the political and military tensions between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel at this time.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 25:6

  • "hired" (שָׂכַר, sakar): This word means to pay someone for their service, highlighting that these Israelite soldiers were not volunteers but mercenaries brought in for a fee.
  • "mighty" (גִּבּוֹר, gibbor) and "valour" (חַיִל, chayil): Together, these words emphasize that the hired men were not just ordinary soldiers but experienced warriors known for their strength and bravery.
  • "talents" (כִּכָּר, kikkar) and "silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph): A "talent" was a large unit of weight, so one hundred talents of silver represented a substantial payment, underlining the seriousness of Amaziah’s investment in these troops.

Why 2 Chronicles 25:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Amaziah’s army was not limited to local Judahite soldiers; he actively sought outside help, which later becomes important in the story when a prophet warns him about relying on Israel.
  • The mention of the high payment in silver shows the lengths to which Amaziah was willing to go for military success, hinting at the political and economic stakes involved.
  • The verse sets up a key moment in the narrative where Amaziah’s trust in foreign soldiers is questioned, connecting to broader themes of dependence and faith in the Chronicles account.

Where else these words appear

“hired” Hebrew H7936 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 30:16 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.
  • 2 Samuel 10:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
  • Nehemiah 6:12 And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

“talents” Hebrew H3603 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • 2 Samuel 12:30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.