Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 13:3
Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abijah confronts Jeroboam as both kings mobilize their respective armies for battle in the hill country of Ephraim. The text records the immediate military positioning before either king addresses the opposing forces.
The words — The Hebrew phrase גִּבּוֹרֵי מִלְחָמָה (gi.bo.Rei mil.cha.Mah) literally means "mighty men of war" and modifies Abijah’s 400,000 troops, not Jeroboam’s. The verb וַ/יֶּאְסֹר (va/i.ye'.Sor) denotes binding or assembling the army for engagement.
The thread — The narrative of opposing royal armies and census-style troop counts recurs in 1 Chronicles 21:5, 2 Chronicles 11:1, and 1 Samuel 17:1. These passages consistently frame large military mobilizations as the backdrop for covenantal or royal confrontations.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that numerical superiority does not dictate the outcome of conflict. A reader must assess the stated forces objectively before evaluating the subsequent theological and military resolution.
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 Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.
- 1 Chronicles 21:5 And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 11:1 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the house of Judah and Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.
- 2 Chronicles 14:8 Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor.
- 2 Chronicles 17:14 These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor;
- 2 Chronicles 26:12 The total number of family leaders of the mighty men of valor was 2,600.