He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.

2 CHRONICLES 27:5KJV
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2 Chronicles 27:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 27:5 mean?

2 Chronicles 27:5 describes how King Jotham of Judah fought against the king of the Ammonites, defeated them, and received a large payment from the Ammonites for three years in a row. The tribute included silver, wheat, and barley, showing Jotham’s strength and the Ammonites’ submission.

This verse is part of a summary of King Jotham’s reign, focusing on his military success and the prosperity it brought to Judah. The chronicler is recounting how Jotham’s victory led to the Ammonites paying tribute, which was a sign of political dominance and economic benefit for Judah during his rule.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 27:5

  • "Fought" (לָחַם, lacham) means to engage in battle or war. This word emphasizes that Jotham took active military action, not just defensive measures.
  • "Prevailed" (חָזַק, chazaq) means to become strong or to overcome. The use of this word stresses that Jotham’s victory was decisive and showed his strength.
  • "Talents" (כִּכָּר, kikkar) refers to a large unit of weight, especially for silver. One hundred talents of silver was a significant amount, highlighting the scale of tribute.
  • "Measures" (כּוֹר, kor) is a unit for dry goods like grain. Ten thousand measures each of wheat and barley point to a substantial agricultural payment, not just money.

Why 2 Chronicles 27:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jotham’s reign was marked by both military strength and economic gain, not just religious or moral leadership.
  • The repeated tribute over three years shows that Jotham’s victory had lasting effects, not just a one-time event.
  • The details about the tribute connect to the larger theme in Chronicles of how faithfulness and strength can bring tangible blessings to the nation.