2 Chronicles 20:6

and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jehoshaphat speaks to the LORD before the assembled community of Judah and Jerusalem in the temple courtyard. He delivers this declaration immediately after standing before the congregation in response to an approaching military threat.

The words — The phrase הֲ/לֹ֨א אַתָּֽה־ ה֤וּא אֱלֹהִים֙ (ha./Lo' 'a.tah- hu' 'E.lo.Him) translates literally to "are You not he God." The text states a rhetorical affirmation of God's exclusive identity rather than posing a genuine inquiry.

The thread — The declaration that Yahweh rules over all kingdoms and holds power in His hand runs parallel to Deuteronomy 4:39, which identifies the LORD as God in heaven and on earth, and mirrors 1 Chronicles 29:11, which attributes greatness and power to Him.

Why it lands — The verse states that no human force can withstand divine authority and requires recognition of that fact. It asks the reader to base their response to crisis on the established reality of God's rule rather than on immediate circumstances.

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 said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 4:39 Know therefore this day and take to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.
1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.
Daniel 4:17 This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’
Psalms 47:8 God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.
Joshua 2:11 When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.
1 Kings 8:23 and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.
Psalms 115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 66:1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?
Daniel 4:25 You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.