King James Version:
And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle [was] before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Thus when Y'hudah looked back, the battle had to be fought in front of them and behind them. They cried to ADONAI, and the cohanim sounded the trumpets.
Berean Standard Bible:
When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets,
American Standard Version:
And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them; and they cried unto Jehovah, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Chronicles 14:11
- And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee.
Exodus 14:10
- ¶ And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
Psalms 50:15
- And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Judges 20:33
- And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, [even] out of the meadows of Gibeah.
Judges 20:43
- [Thus] they inclosed the Benjamites round about, [and] chased them, [and] trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
Joshua 8:20
- And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.
2 Samuel 10:8
- And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, [were] by themselves in the field.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3063
There are 754 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהוּדָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhûwdâh
Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-daw'
Description: from יָדָה; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory; Judah. - Strong's Number: H6437
There are 128 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנָה
Transliteration: pânâh
Pronunciation: paw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.; appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early). - Strong's Number: H4421
There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
Transliteration: milchâmâh
Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H268
There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָחוֹר
Transliteration: ʼâchôwr
Pronunciation: aw-khore'
Description: or (shortened) אָחֹר ; from אֲחִירַע; the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West; after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without. - Strong's Number: H6817
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָעַק
Transliteration: tsâʻaq
Pronunciation: tsaw-ak'
Description: a primitive root; to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly); [idiom] at all, call together, cry (out), gather (selves) (together). - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H2690
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָצַר
Transliteration: châtsar
Pronunciation: khaw-tsar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to surround with a stockade, and thus separate from the open country; but used only in the reduplicated form חֲצֹצֵר; or (2 Chronicles 5:12) חֲצֹרֵר; as dem. from חֲצֹצְרָה; to trumpet, i.e. blow on that instrument; blow, sound, trumpeter. - Strong's Number: H2689
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲצֹצְרָה
Transliteration: chătsôtsᵉrâh
Pronunciation: khats-o-tser-aw'
Description: by reduplication from חָצַר; a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note); trumpet(-er).
Commentary for 2 Chronicles 13:14
2 Chronicles 13:14 is set within the historical context of the divided monarchy period in Israel's history, following the death of King Solomon. The nation of Israel had split into two kingdoms: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. The verse is part of the account of a battle between the forces of Judah, led by King Abijah, and the much larger army of the northern kingdom, led by King Jeroboam.
In this verse, the men of Judah find themselves surrounded by their enemies, with the battle raging both in front of and behind them. This precarious situation highlights the themes of divine intervention and the power of prayer in desperate circumstances. Realizing their dire predicament, the soldiers of Judah do not rely on their military strength, which is vastly outmatched, but instead "cried unto the LORD" for help. Simultaneously, the priests among them sound their trumpets, an act that, according to the Torah, was meant to call upon God's attention and to summon the people to action.
The verse underscores the importance of seeking God's assistance in times of trouble and the belief that victory comes not from human might but from the Lord's intervention on behalf of His people. It also reflects the ancient Israelite practice of combining prayer with ceremonial acts, such as the blowing of trumpets, to invoke God's presence and aid in battle. This event would have been seen as a powerful testament to the faith of the people of Judah and the priests who led them in worship, as well as to the efficacy of trusting in God over reliance on military power.