2 Chronicles 17:14

Translations

Modern

These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor;

Traditional

And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

Literal

And these are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valor, three hundred thousand.

Latin

…quorum iste numerus per domos atque familias singulorum: in Juda principes exercitus, Ednas dux, et cum eo robustissimi viri trecenta millia.

Original

Hebrew

English

These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor;

Notes

2 Chronicles 17:12–19

Jehoshaphat was known for his international influence, construction projects, and strong army. Archaeologists have found highway forts in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea from his era. The reported number of troops in his army—over a million in Jerusalem—seems too high. Since leaders were organized by tribes (2 Chronicles 17:14), "thousand" (’elep) might mean "squad" or "platoon," which are smaller units. The totals might also include reserve divisions that rotated service (see 1 Chronicles 27:1–15). Jehoshaphat's troop numbers are about three times those of:

They are similar to the number of warriors during David’s census (1 Chronicles 21:5), when soldiers from the northern tribes were included. A large army showed God's blessing.

Theme notes and profiles

Jehoshaphat

Related verses

2 Chronicles 14:8
Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor.
Genesis 12:2
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
2 Chronicles 11:1
When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the house of Judah and Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.
Numbers 1:2
“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.
Genesis 13:16
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
2 Chronicles 26:13
Under their authority was an army of 307,500 trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies.
Genesis 15:5
And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Numbers 1:18
…and on the first day of the second month they assembled the whole congregation and recorded their ancestry by clans and families, counting one by one the names of those twenty years of age or older,
2 Chronicles 13:3
Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor.

Parallels

1 Kings 15:23–24

People

Adnah: Commander of 300,000 troops under King Jehoshaphat Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Glossary

Adnah Chronicles, Books of First and Second Genealogy Jehoshaphat (Person)

Topics

Adnah: A Military Chief Armies: Generals of Corps and Divisions Armies: March in Ranks: Standing Armies Captain: Leader Jehoshaphat: King of Judah: His Military Forces and Armaments

2 Chronicles 17:14

Translations?

Original?

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Related verses?

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