Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jahaziel, filled with the Spirit of the LORD, addresses the assembly of Judah, Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat as a vast army advances. He delivers a divine oracle to stabilize the nation before the impending conflict.
The words — הַקְשִׁיבוּ (hakshi.vu) translates literally as "pay attention," commanding immediate focus. וַ/יֹּאמֶר (va.yo.mer) marks the prophetic declaration "and he said," introducing the LORD’s direct speech.
The thread — The command to reject fear in the face of overwhelming forces echoes Exodus 14:13, Deuteronomy 31:6, and 2 Chronicles 32:7, which all feature the same "do not be afraid" imperative. None of these parallel passages, however, contain the specific phrase "the battle is the LORD's" found here.
Why it lands — The text demands a shift of agency from human military preparation to divine sovereignty. Readers must acknowledge that the outcome rests with God rather than their own strength or strategy.
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 he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 32:7 “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- Exodus 14:13 But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.
- 1 Samuel 17:47 And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”
- Deuteronomy 1:29 So I said to you: “Do not be terrified or afraid of them!
- Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
- Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”
- Deuteronomy 20:1 When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.
- Joshua 11:6 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for by this time tomorrow I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn up their chariots.”