2 Chronicles 20:5-17

5 Jehoshaphat stood before the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem ▼ at the Lord’s temple, in front of the new courtyard. 6He prayed: “O Lord God of our ancestors, ▼
▼ Heb “fathers” (also in v. 33).
 you are the God who lives in heaven ▼
▼ Heb “are you not God in heaven?” The rhetorical question expects the answer “yes,” resulting in the positive statement “you are the God who lives in heaven” employed in the translation.
 and rules over all the kingdoms of the nations. You possess strength and power; no one can stand against you. 7Our God, you drove out ▼
▼ Heb “did you not drive out?” This is another rhetorical question which expects a positive response; see the note on the word “heaven” in the previous verse.
 the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and gave it as a permanent possession ▼
▼ Heb “permanently.”
 to the descendants of your friend ▼
▼ Or perhaps “your covenantal partner.” See Isa 41:8.
 Abraham. 8They settled down in it and built in it a temple ▼
▼ Or “sanctuary.”
 to honor you, ▼
▼ Heb “for your name.” The word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor (thus the translation here, “to honor you”).
 saying, 9‘If disaster comes on us in the form of military attack, ▼
▼ Heb “sword.”
 judgment, plague, or famine, we will stand in front of this temple before you, for you are present in this temple. ▼
▼ Heb “for your name is in this house.” The “name” of the Lord sometimes designates the Lord himself, being indistinguishable from the proper name. In this case the temple is referred to as a “house” where the Lord himself can reside.
 We will cry out to you for help in our distress, so that you will ▼
▼ Or “so that you may.”
 hear and deliver us.’ 10Now the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir are coming! ▼
▼ Heb “now, look, the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir.”
 When Israel came from the land of Egypt, you did not allow them to invade these lands. ▼
▼ Heb “whom you did not allow Israel to enter when they came from the land of Egypt.”
 They bypassed them and did not destroy them. 11Look how they are repaying us! They come to drive us out of our allotted land which you assigned to us! 12Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless against this huge army that attacks us! We don’t know what we should do; we look to you for help.” ▼
▼ Heb “for [or “indeed”] upon you are our eyes.”

13 All the men of Judah ▼
▼ Heb “Judah.” The words “the men of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew text uses the name “Judah” by metonymy for the men of Judah.
 were standing before the Lord, along with their infants, wives, and children. 14Then in the midst of the assembly, the Lord’s Spirit came upon Jachaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph. 15He said: “Pay attention, all you people of Judah, ▼
▼ Heb “all Judah.” The words “you people of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew text uses the name “Judah” by metonymy for the people of Judah. Unlike the previous instance in v. 13 where infants, wives, and children are mentioned separately, this reference appears to include them all.
 residents of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Don’t be afraid and don’t panic ▼
▼ Or perhaps “don’t get discouraged.”
 because of this huge army! For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16Tomorrow march down against them as ▼
▼ Heb “look.”
 they come up the Ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ravine in front of the Desert of Jeruel. 17You will not fight in this battle. Take your positions, stand, and watch the Lord deliver you, ▼
▼ Heb “the deliverance of the Lord with you.”
 O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid and don’t panic! ▼
▼ Or perhaps “don’t get discouraged.”
 Tomorrow march out toward them; the Lord is with you!’”

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