Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 20:17
You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks through the spirit in the assembly to Judah and Jerusalem, the day before they are to face the invading army (v. 16).
The words — The command pairs לֹא לְ/הִלָּחֵם (lō' lə/hiṯṯaḥēṯ, "not to fight") with הִתְיַצְּבוּ (hiṯyaṣṣəḇû, "take your stand"), a military positioning verb that is not passive waiting but deliberate placement.
The thread — Exodus 14:13 repeats the same formula: "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD's salvation." The "do not fear / I am with you" refrain also appears in Isaiah 41:10 and 2 Chronicles 15:2.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to hold a position in a situation that demands action, trusting that the outcome is already decided. The tension is real: "take up your positions" is not the same as "do nothing."
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
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
- 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.
- Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”
- Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- 2 Chronicles 32:8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
- Lamentations 3:26 It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
- Numbers 14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!”
- Psalms 46:7 The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?