Question 1

What does 2 Chronicles 28:6 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 28:6

Accepted Answer

"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.

Question 3

Why 2 Chronicles 28:6 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

2 Chronicles 28:6 (KJV)