Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 14:12
So the LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah, and the Cushites fled.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports the immediate outcome of Asa’s prayer, stating that Yahweh directly intervenes against the advancing Cushite army. This occurs at the battle’s climax, right after Asa appeals to God for help against the multitude.
The words — The verb וַ/יִּגֹּ֤ף (va/i.yi.Gof) literally means "he struck down" or "he defeated," describing Yahweh’s direct action against the Cushites. The prepositional phrase לִ/פְנֵ֥י (li/f.Nei) appears twice to mean "before," indicating the Cushites were routed in the visible presence of Asa and Judah.
The thread — The pattern of divine intervention routing enemies before Israel appears in 2 Chronicles 13:15, Exodus 14:25, and Deuteronomy 28:7. These passages consistently link military victory to Yahweh’s direct action rather than human strength.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that the reported flight of the Cushites resulted from Yahweh’s strike, not Judah’s tactical advantage. It requires the reader to acknowledge the stated sequence: divine action precedes enemy collapse.
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
So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 13:15 and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
- Exodus 14:25 He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”
- Deuteronomy 28:7 The LORD will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you. They will march out against you in one direction but flee from you in seven.
- Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
- Joshua 10:10 And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
- Psalms 60:12 With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.
- Psalms 136:17 He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever.
- 1 Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
- 2 Chronicles 20:22 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.