2 Chronicles 28:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 28:6 mean?

2 Chronicles 28:6 says that Pekah, the son of Remaliah, killed 120,000 strong warriors in Judah in a single day because the people of Judah had abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors. This verse highlights a devastating defeat for Judah, directly linked to their turning away from God.

The setting is during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, a time when the kingdom was facing attacks from its neighbors. Pekah, king of Israel (the northern kingdom), led a deadly assault against Judah. The chronicler is explaining that this massive loss was not just a military event but was seen as a consequence of Judah’s unfaithfulness to God.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 28:6

• "Forsaken" (עָזַב, ʿāzav): This word means to leave or abandon. The verse uses it to explain that Judah’s defeat happened because they had abandoned the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH), showing a cause-and-effect link between their actions and their suffering.
• "Valiant" (חַיִל, ḥayil): This word refers to strength, ability, or valor. The men killed were not just ordinary soldiers but capable and courageous warriors, emphasizing the scale and tragedy of the loss.
• "Slew" (הָרַג, hārag): This is a strong word for killing, indicating a violent and decisive defeat.

Why 2 Chronicles 28:6 matters

• This verse clarifies that the defeat was not random or just due to military weakness but was understood as a direct result of Judah’s spiritual choices, connecting faithfulness to God with national security.
• The mention of "valiant men" underscores the seriousness of the loss; Judah did not just lose numbers, but its best fighters, making the defeat even more significant.
• The verse sets up the wider context of 2 Chronicles 28, where the chronicler repeatedly links Judah’s troubles to King Ahaz’s unfaithfulness, helping readers see the chronicler’s main theme about the consequences of abandoning God.