Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 25:8
Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has power to help and power to overthrow.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — A man of God addresses King Amaziah at the moment he is preparing to hire an Israelite mercenary army to fight Edom. The prophet intervenes to redirect the king's reliance from human forces to divine authority.
The words — The Hebrew verb יַכְשִֽׁילְ/ךָ֤ (yakh.shi.le./Kha) translates literally as "he will overthrow you." It is paired with חֲזַ֣ק (cha.Zak), meaning "be strong," to contrast human martial preparation with God's unilateral control over victory and defeat.
The thread — The theme of God's exclusive authority over military outcomes runs through 2 Chronicles 14:11 and 2 Chronicles 20:6, where the text emphasizes His ability to deliver the powerless and establish His might so that no enemy can stand against Him.
Why it lands — The text commands the reader to recognize that human preparation or numerical advantage cannot override divine permission. It asks for immediate recalibration of trust from strategic planning to submission to God's sovereign will.
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
But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 14:11 Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.”
- 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.
- Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
- Luke 18:29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God
- Deuteronomy 8:18 But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.
- Judges 7:7 Then the LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped the water I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. But all the others are to go home.”
- 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
- 2 Chronicles 1:12 therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.”
- 2 Chronicles 18:14 When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up and triumph,” Micaiah replied, “for they will be delivered into your hand.”
- Job 5:18 For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.