2 Chronicles 20:36

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He joined together with him to build large ships capable of going to Tarshish; they made the ships in 'Etzyon-Gever.

Berean Standard Bible:

They agreed to make ships to go to Tarshish, and these were built in Ezion-geber.

American Standard Version:

and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he joined^{H2266} himself with him to make^{H6213} ships^{H591} to go^{H3212} to Tarshish^{H8659}: and they made^{H6213} the ships^{H591} in Eziongeber^{H6100}.

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Commentary for 2 Chronicles 20:36

2 Chronicles 20:36 is a verse that captures a moment in the history of Judah, detailing a partnership between King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahaziah of Israel. The historical context of this verse is set during the Divided Monarchy period, after the reign of Solomon when the united kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.

King Jehoshaphat, known for his religious reforms and efforts to bring Judah back to the worship of Yahweh, decided to form an alliance with the northern kingdom's King Ahaziah. This alliance was not merely political but also commercial, as indicated by their joint venture to build ships in Eziongeber, a port city on the Red Sea, with the intention of sailing to Tarshish. Tarshish is a place name that appears several times in the Bible, often associated with the idea of distant travel and wealth, possibly referring to a Phoenician colony in southern Spain or another location far west of Israel.

The verse reflects themes of cooperation and trade, as well as the pursuit of wealth and expansion of commercial interests. It also hints at the complex relationships between the rulers of the divided kingdoms, who at times worked together despite their religious and political differences. However, this partnership ultimately met with divine disapproval, as the following verses (2 Chronicles 20:37) explain that the ships were wrecked and did not reach Tarshish because Jehoshaphat had allied himself with Ahaziah, who did not follow the ways of the Lord.

In summary, 2 Chronicles 20:36 encapsulates the historical endeavor of two kings to engage in maritime trade, highlighting the interkingdom dynamics of the time and serving as a cautionary tale about the importance of alliances aligned with divine principles, as the failure of the enterprise is attributed to Jehoshaphat's unwise alliance with a king who did not worship Yahweh.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2266
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָבַר
   Transliteration: châbar
   Pronunciation: khaw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate; charm(-er), be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up, join (self, together), league.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
3. Strong's Number: H591
   There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֳנִיָּה
   Transliteration: ʼŏnîyâh
   Pronunciation: on-ee-yaw'
   Description: feminine of אֳנִי; a ship; ship(-men).
   
4. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8659
   There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תַּרְשִׁישׁ
   Transliteration: Tarshîysh
   Pronunciation: tar-sheesh'
   Description: probably the same as תַּרְשִׁישׁ (as the region of the stone, or the reverse); Tarshish, a place on the Mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a Persian and of an Israelite; Tarshish, Tharshish.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6100
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר
   Transliteration: ʻEtsyôwn Geber
   Pronunciation: ets-yone' gheh'ber
   Description: from עָצֶה and גֶּבֶר; backbone-like of a man; Etsjon-Geber, a place on the Red Sea; Ezion-geber.