Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 13:14
When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative places the army of Judah in a military engagement against Jeroboam’s forces at the moment they realize they are encircled.
The words — וַֽ/יִּצְעֲק֖וּ (va/i.yitz.'a.Ku) = they cried out and לַ/יהוָ֑ה (la./Yah.weh) = to Yahweh.
The thread — This pattern of facing encirclement and crying to the Lord appears in 2 Chronicles 14:11 when Asa prays for deliverance, and Exodus 14:10 when Israelites see the Egyptians marching after them.
Why it lands — The text records a tactical recognition of being trapped followed by a direct appeal to Yahweh before any human counteraction occurs.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 14:11 Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.”
- Exodus 14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD.
- Joshua 8:20 When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers.
- Judges 20:33 So all the men of Israel got up from their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush charged from their positions west of Gibeah.
- 2 Samuel 10:8 The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.
- Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- Psalms 91:5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
- 2 Chronicles 18:31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him.