New International VersionAs they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
New Living TranslationAt the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
English Standard VersionAnd when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.
Berean Standard BibleThe 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.
King James BibleAnd when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
New King James VersionNow when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
New American Standard BibleWhen they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were struck down.
NASB 1995When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.
NASB 1977And when they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.
Legacy Standard BibleWhen they began singing for joy and praising, Yahweh set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were defeated.
Amplified BibleWhen they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were struck down [in defeat].
Christian Standard BibleThe moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated.
American Standard VersionAnd when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
Contemporary English VersionAs soon as they began singing, the LORD confused the enemy camp,
English Revised VersionAnd when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set liers in wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationAs they started to sing praises, the LORD set ambushes against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir who had come into Judah. They were defeated.
Good News TranslationWhen they began to sing, the LORD threw the invading armies into a panic.
International Standard VersionRight on time, as they began to sing and praise, the LORD ambushed the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who had attacked Judah, and they were defeated.
NET BibleWhen they began to shout and praise, the LORD suddenly attacked the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
New Heart English BibleWhen they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushers against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, who were come against Judah; and they were smitten. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe 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.
World English BibleWhen they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd at the time they have begun with singing and praise, YHWH has put ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who are coming in to Judah, and they are struck,
Young's Literal Translation And at the time they have begun with singing and praise, Jehovah hath put ambushments against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, who are coming in to Judah, and they are smitten,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd in the time they began in rejoicing and praising, Jehovah gave ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, coming against Judah; and they will be smitten. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when they began to sing praises, the Lord turned their ambushments upon themselves, that is to say, of the children of Ammon, and of Moab, and of mount Seir, who were come out to fight against Juda, and they were slain.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd when they had begun to sing praises, the Lord turned their ambushes upon themselves, that is, those of the sons of Ammon, and of Moab, and of mount Seir, who had gone forth so that they might fight against Judah. And they were struck down.
New American BibleAt the moment they began their jubilant praise, the LORD laid an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and those of Mount Seir who were coming against Judah, so that they were defeated.
New Revised Standard VersionAs they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd when they began the praise and thanksgiving, the Lord caused the children of Ammon to fight against Moab, and the inhabitants of mount Seir that came out against Juda; and they were routed.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Enemies Destroy Themselves… 21Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” 22The momentthey begantheir shoutsand praises,the LORDsetambushesagainst the menof Ammon,Moab,and MountSeirwho had comeagainst Judah,and they were defeated.23The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had made an end to the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.…
Cross References Exodus 14:13-14But 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. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Joshua 6:16-20After the seventh time around, the priests blew the horns, and Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! / Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. / But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it. ...
Judges 7:22And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.
Psalm 18:3I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
Psalm 22:3Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Psalm 47:1-3For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with a voice of triumph. / How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! / He subdues nations beneath us, and peoples under our feet.
Psalm 149:6-9May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands, / to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, / to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with shackles of iron, ...
Isaiah 30:29-32You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. / And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones. / For Assyria will be shattered at the voice of the LORD; He will strike them with His scepter. ...
Isaiah 42:10-13Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them. / Let the desert and its cities raise their voices; let the villages of Kedar cry aloud. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops. / Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands. ...
Isaiah 54:17No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.
Acts 16:25-26About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. / Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.
Romans 8:31What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
1 Corinthians 15:57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
2 Corinthians 10:4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Ephesians 6:10-18Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ...
Treasury of Scripture And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. Judges 7:22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath,and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. 1 Samuel 14:16,20 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating downone another… 2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountainwas full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. were smitten. Jump to Previous AmbushAmbushersAmbushesAmmonAttackChildrenDefeatedFirstJudahMoabMountNotesOvercomePraisePraisingRoutedSeirSe'irSingSingingSmittenStruckSurpriseTimeTriumphJump to Next AmbushAmbushersAmbushesAmmonAttackChildrenDefeatedFirstJudahMoabMountNotesOvercomePraisePraisingRoutedSeirSe'irSingSingingSmittenStruckSurpriseTimeTriumph2 Chronicles 20 1.Jehoshaphat, invaded by Moab, proclaims a fast5.His prayer14.The prophecy of Jahaziel20.Jehoshaphat exhorts the people, and sets singers to praise the Lord22.The great overthrow of his enemies26.The people, having blessed God at Berachah, return in triumph31.Jehoshaphat's reign35.His convoy of ships, according to the prophecy of Eliezer, unhappily perishes.The moment they began their shouts and praisesThis phrase highlights the power of worship and praise in spiritual warfare. In the biblical context, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, had appointed singers to lead the army with songs of praise to God. This act of faith demonstrates the belief that God inhabits the praises of His people ( Psalm 22:3). The immediate response from God upon their worship underscores the principle that spiritual victories often begin with worship and reliance on divine intervention rather than human strength. the LORD set ambushes
The ambushes set by the LORD indicate divine intervention in the battle. This reflects the biblical theme that God fights for His people (Exodus 14:14). The term "ambushes" suggests a sudden and unexpected attack, which in this context, was orchestrated by God Himself. This divine strategy is reminiscent of other instances in Scripture where God confounds the enemies of Israel, such as the confusion of the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir
These groups were long-standing adversaries of Israel and Judah. The Ammonites and Moabites were descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:36-38), while the people of Mount Seir were Edomites, descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:8). Historically, these nations often opposed Israel, and their coalition against Judah in this passage represents a significant threat. The geographical regions of Ammon, Moab, and Edom (Mount Seir) are located east and southeast of the Dead Sea, highlighting the strategic and political challenges faced by Judah. who had come against Judah
Judah, the southern kingdom, was often under threat from surrounding nations. This phrase emphasizes the imminent danger faced by Jehoshaphat and his people. The historical context reveals that Judah was a smaller kingdom compared to its neighbors, making divine intervention crucial for its survival. The coalition of these three nations against Judah signifies a formidable alliance, yet it also sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness to His covenant people. and they were defeated
The defeat of the coalition is a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness. This outcome fulfills the prophetic assurance given to Jehoshaphat that he would not need to fight in this battle (2 Chronicles 20:17). The victory without physical combat serves as a type of Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death, achieved not through human effort but through divine power. This event also parallels other biblical victories where God delivers His people in miraculous ways, reinforcing the theme of trust and reliance on God for deliverance. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoshaphatThe King of Judah who led the nation in seeking the Lord's guidance and deliverance from their enemies. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, facing a coalition of enemies. 3. Ammon, Moab, and Mount SeirThe nations that formed an alliance to attack Judah. 4. The LORDThe God of Israel, who intervened on behalf of Judah. 5. AmbushesThe divine intervention that led to the defeat of Judah's enemies. Teaching Points The Power of PraisePraise is not just a response to victory but a catalyst for it. When we praise God, we invite His presence and power into our situations. Faith in ActionJehoshaphat and the people of Judah demonstrated their faith by praising God before the victory was visible. Faith often requires us to act in trust before we see the outcome. Divine InterventionGod is actively involved in the lives of His people. He can set ambushes against our spiritual enemies when we rely on Him. Community in WorshipThe collective praise of Judah shows the strength and unity found in communal worship. Gathering together to seek God can lead to powerful outcomes. Trust in God's PromisesThe account encourages believers to trust in God's promises and His ability to deliver, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 20:22?
2.How does 2 Chronicles 20:22 demonstrate the power of praise in battles?
3.What role did faith play in the victory described in 2 Chronicles 20:22?
4.How can we apply the principle of praise in our daily spiritual battles?
5.What other biblical events show God intervening when His people praise Him?
6.How can we cultivate a heart of praise in challenging circumstances today?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 20:22 demonstrate the power of praise in spiritual warfare?
8.What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Chronicles 20:22?
9.How does 2 Chronicles 20:22 reflect God's sovereignty over human conflicts?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 20?
11.How could an alliance of hostile armies suddenly turn on each other and destroy themselves without any plausible explanation (2 Chronicles 20:22–23)?
12.Why does this account depict God favoring one nation over others with a miraculous intervention while ignoring widespread conflicts elsewhere (2 Chronicles 20)?
13.Psalm 68:1–2: How can the defeat of enemies described as “vanishing like smoke” be understood in light of historical or scientific plausibility?
14.Psalm 48:5–6: Is there any historical or scientific evidence that opposing kings literally “saw and were amazed” to the point of trembling?What Does 2 Chronicles 20:22 Mean The moment they began- Scripture highlights an immediate cause-and-effect: “The moment they began…” (2 Chron 20:22). - God’s timing responds to obedient faith, not to human strength (cf.1 Samuel 17:48–50;Isaiah 65:24). - Jehoshaphat’s people had already acted on the prophetic word, marching out in trust (2 Chron 20:20–21). The verse underscores that God often waits for our step of faith before unveiling His deliverance (Joshua 3:13).
Their shouts and praises- The focus is not on weaponry but on worship: “their shouts and praises.” - Praise acknowledges God’s character—His steadfast love and sovereignty (Psalm 22:3;Psalm 149:6–9). - Practical takeaways: • Praise redirects eyes from crisis to Christ (Psalm 34:1–5). • Praise unites God’s people in a shared confession of trust (Acts 16:25-26).
The LORD set ambushes- “The LORD” is the subject; His action alone turns the battle (2 Chron 20:15,17). - “Set ambushes” implies invisible, strategic intervention. God devises means beyond human foresight (2 Kings 7:6;Psalm 37:12-15). - Victory belongs to the Lord; our role is responsive worship (Proverbs 21:31).
Against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir- Three historic adversaries converge (Genesis 19:36-38;Deuteronomy 2:4-5, 9, 19). - Their alliance pictures the world’s hostility toward God’s covenant people (Psalm 83:5-7). - God’s ambush turns the enemies’ own swords against each other (2 Chron 20:23;Judges 7:22).
Who had come against Judah- The threat is national and existential; Judah faces annihilation (2 Chron 20:2). - Yet Judah is the covenant line through which Messiah will come (2 Chron 21:7;Isaiah 9:6-7). - God defends His redemptive purposes even when His people are outnumbered (2 Kings 19:32-34).
And they were defeated- The clash ends without Judah drawing a sword, confirmingExodus 14:13: “Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation.” - Aftermath: three days gathering plunder (2 Chron 20:25) illustratesEphesians 3:20—God does “exceedingly abundantly” beyond what was asked. - The surrounding nations hear and fear (2 Chron 20:29), fulfillingPsalm 46:10.
summary2 Chronicles 20:22 shows that when God’s people respond to His word with wholehearted praise, He moves instantly and decisively. Worship becomes a weapon, faith opens the door for divine action, and the Lord alone secures victory over overwhelming odds. (22) And when they began.--Literally, And at the. time when they began with shouting and praise. (Comp. Deuteronomy 16:9, to begin with.) They had now reached the neighbourhood of the enemy; and their joyful paean was the signal for a Divine interposition. (Comp. Joshua 6:16; Joshua 6:20, and Psalm 46:6.) The Lord set ambushments.--Jehovah placed liers in wait (Judges 9:25). (n?than here is equivalent in meaning tos?m there.) . . . Verse 22. - Set ambushments. The Hebrew is נָתַן מְאָרְבִים, i.e. "set persons lying in wait," or "in ambush" (piel part. plur. of אָרַב). So Judges 9:25, but kal participle with apparently future equivalent meaning occurs eighteen times in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Ezra, Jeremiah, and Lamentations. Who the persons were, supernatural or not, or what their mode of operation, is not told, and is not plain. The effects are quite plain - that first the two confederates, Moab and Ammon, thought they saw reason to fall on them "of Mount Seir," and secondly, having this done, to fall on one another to the end of mutual extermination. They were smitten. The marginal, "they smote one another," may be better, but it is not at all necessary, the meaning being that collectively they became the smitten instead of the smiters!
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew The momentוּבְעֵת֩(ū·ḇə·‘êṯ)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256:Time, now, whenthey beganהֵחֵ֨לּוּ(hê·ḥêl·lū)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2490:To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to playtheir shoutsבְרִנָּ֜ה(ḇə·rin·nāh)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7440:A creaking, shoutand praises,וּתְהִלָּ֗ה(ū·ṯə·hil·lāh)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8416:Praise, song of praisethe LORDיְהוָ֣ה ׀(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelsetנָתַ֣ן(nā·ṯan)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setan ambushמְ֠אָֽרְבִים(mə·’ā·rə·ḇîm)Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 693:To lie in waitagainst the menעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstof Ammon,בְּנֵ֨י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonMoab,מוֹאָ֧ב(mō·w·’āḇ)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124:Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settledand Mountוְהַר־(wə·har-)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022:Mountain, hill, hill countrySeirשֵׂעִ֛יר(śê·‘îr)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8165:Seir -- a mountain range in Edom, also its inhabitants, also a mountain in Judahwho had comeהַבָּאִ֥ים(hab·bā·’îm)Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goagainst Judah,לִֽיהוּדָ֖ה(lî·hū·ḏāh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelitesand they were defeated.וַיִּנָּגֵֽפוּ׃(way·yin·nā·ḡê·p̄ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5062:To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict
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OT History: 2 Chronicles 20:22 When they began to sing (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
