2 Chronicles 16:8

KJV

Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.

KJV (with Strong's)

Were not the Ethiopians {H3569} and the Lubims {H3864} a huge {H7230} host {H2428}, with very {H3966} many {H7235} chariots {H7393} and horsemen {H6571}? yet, because thou didst rely {H8172} on the LORD {H3068}, he delivered {H5414} them into thine hand {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The army of the Ethiopians and Luvim was huge, wasn't it? How many chariots and horsemen did they have? Yet because you relied on ADONAI, he handed them over to you.

Berean Standard Bible

Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand.

American Standard Version

Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on Jehovah, he delivered them into thy hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 16:8 presents a powerful rhetorical question from the prophet Hanani to King Asa, reminding him of a past, miraculous victory over an overwhelmingly superior military force—the Ethiopians and Lubims. Hanani uses this historical precedent to rebuke Asa for his current lack of faith, specifically for relying on the king of Syria rather than the LORD in a more recent conflict. The verse underscores God's faithfulness to deliver those who genuinely trust in Him, regardless of the apparent impossibility of their circumstances, while simultaneously highlighting the spiritual danger of wavering faith and reliance on human alliances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Hanani's prophetic confrontation with King Asa in [2 Chronicles 16](/2_chronicles/16 "2 Chronicles 16 - Asa's Unfaithfulness and Hanani's Rebuke"). Following Asa's decision to form an alliance with Ben-hadad, king of Syria, against King Baasha of Israel (rather than seeking divine aid), Hanani delivers a sharp rebuke. The seer directly references a previous, monumental victory detailed in [2 Chronicles 14:9-15](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9-15 - Zerah the Ethiopian's Invasion and Asa's Victory"). In that earlier account, Zerah the Ethiopian, leading a massive army of a million men and three hundred chariots, invaded Judah. Asa, in a profound act of faith and prayer, cried out to the LORD, and God granted Judah a decisive and overwhelming victory. Hanani's rhetorical question in verse 8 serves as a stark reminder of God's past faithfulness and Asa's own prior demonstration of trust, contrasting it sharply with his present spiritual lapse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Ethiopians (Cushites) and Lubims (Libyans) were formidable military powers in the ancient Near East, known for their vast armies and significant chariot forces. Their presence in the narrative signifies an existential threat to Judah. Zerah the Ethiopian's invasion, as recorded in [2 Chronicles 14](/2_chronicles/14 "2 Chronicles 14 - Asa's Early Reign and Victory Over Zerah"), represented an immense military challenge, far exceeding Judah's capabilities. Chariots were the tanks of the ancient world, symbols of military might and technological superiority. For Judah, a relatively smaller kingdom, facing such a "huge host" with "very many chariots and horsemen" would have been terrifying and seemingly insurmountable by conventional means. The cultural expectation would have been to seek powerful human alliances or succumb to the invaders. Asa's initial response of prayer and reliance on God, therefore, stood in stark contrast to the prevailing strategic norms, making God's subsequent deliverance all the more miraculous and memorable.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully illustrates several core themes found throughout Chronicles and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Deliverance**, showcasing God's absolute power to save His people from impossible odds. The "huge host" of Ethiopians and Lubims, with their overwhelming military superiority, were utterly defeated not by Judah's strength, but by divine intervention, demonstrating that "the battle is the LORD's" (as seen in [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the LORD's")). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the critical importance of **Reliance on the LORD**. Hanani explicitly states that the victory occurred "because thou didst rely on the LORD," underscoring that faith, not human might or strategic alliances, is the determinant factor in securing God's favor and deliverance. This principle resonates with passages like [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord"), which declares the futility of trusting in chariots and horses compared to the name of the LORD. Finally, the verse serves as a potent reminder of the necessity of **Remembering God's Past Faithfulness**. Hanani's rebuke hinges on Asa's failure to recall and apply the lesson from his own recent history, urging believers to remember God's prior acts of deliverance as a foundation for present and future trust, a theme echoed in [Psalm 77:11](/psalm/77-11 "Psalm 77:11 - Remembering the Deeds of the LORD").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **rely (Hebrew, _sha'an'_):** This verb signifies leaning upon, resting upon, or being supported by. It denotes a deep, unwavering dependence and trust, not merely a casual belief. In the context of military or political strategy, it implies placing one's entire weight and confidence on a particular entity for support and protection. When applied to the LORD, it describes a complete commitment of one's fate and security to God alone, acknowledging His sovereignty and power as the ultimate source of help. Asa's initial act of *sha'an* on the LORD was the direct cause of his victory.
* **delivered (Hebrew, _natan'_):** While a common verb meaning "to give" or "to place," in this context, *natan* carries the strong connotation of God's active, sovereign intervention in granting victory. The phrase "delivered them into thine hand" is an idiom signifying that God granted Asa complete control and mastery over his enemies. It emphasizes that the victory was not achieved by human strength or cunning, but was a divine gift, demonstrating God's power to subdue even the most formidable adversaries and place them under the authority of His chosen servant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen?"**: This opening clause is a powerful rhetorical question posed by Hanani. It vividly recalls the overwhelming military might of Zerah's invading army, emphasizing their vast numbers ("huge host") and superior weaponry ("very many chariots and horsemen"). The question is designed to elicit an obvious "yes" from Asa, forcing him to acknowledge the sheer impossibility of that earlier victory by human standards, setting the stage for the crucial point about divine intervention.
* **"yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD,"**: This pivotal clause provides the direct explanation for the miraculous victory. The conjunction "yet" introduces a sharp contrast to the overwhelming odds previously described. The phrase "because thou didst rely on the LORD" explicitly identifies Asa's faith and dependence on God as the singular, determining factor in the outcome. It underscores the theological principle that divine action is often contingent upon human trust and obedience, highlighting the power of faith over military might.
* **"he delivered them into thine hand."**: This concluding clause declares the result of Asa's reliance on the LORD. "He delivered them" unequivocally attributes the victory to God's sovereign power. The idiom "into thine hand" signifies that God granted Asa complete control, mastery, and triumph over the formidable enemy. It emphasizes that the victory was not a mere stroke of luck or a result of Judah's strategic brilliance, but a direct, intentional act of God, demonstrating His faithfulness to those who trust Him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host...?"), which is not meant to be answered but to provoke reflection and emphasize an undeniable truth known to both speaker and listener. This device powerfully reminds Asa of a past event that should have shaped his present actions. There is also a strong element of **Contrast**, juxtaposing the overwhelming power of the enemy ("huge host, very many chariots") with the singular reason for Judah's victory ("because thou didst rely on the LORD"). This contrast highlights the disproportionate nature of the conflict and the miraculous scale of God's deliverance. Furthermore, the phrase "huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen" utilizes **Hyperbole** to underscore the seemingly insurmountable odds, making God's intervention all the more impressive. Finally, the idiom "delivered them into thine hand" serves as a form of **Metonymy**, where "hand" represents power, control, and victory, effectively conveying God's act of granting complete dominion over the enemy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 16:8 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God's power is not limited by human weakness or the strength of adversaries. It asserts that true security and victory are found not in human alliances, military might, or strategic cunning, but in unwavering, dependent trust in the LORD. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that God honors faith, often intervening in ways that defy natural explanation to demonstrate His sovereignty and faithfulness. Asa's earlier triumph over the Ethiopians and Lubims was a testament to this principle, and Hanani's rebuke highlights the spiritual danger of forgetting God's past faithfulness and succumbing to fear or pragmatism in the face of new challenges. The verse thus underscores the consistent biblical theme that God delights in delivering His people when they place their full reliance upon Him.

* [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a profound challenge and comfort for believers today. It compels us to honestly examine the object of our trust when facing life's "huge hosts" – whether they are overwhelming personal crises, professional pressures, spiritual battles, or societal challenges. Like Asa, we often face situations where human solutions or alliances seem more immediate or reliable than divine intervention. Yet, Hanani's words serve as a timeless reminder that God’s power is magnified in our weakness, and His deliverance is assured when our reliance is solely on Him. The call is to remember God's past faithfulness in our own lives and in the history of His people, allowing those memories to bolster our faith in present difficulties. We are encouraged to cultivate a continuous, dependent relationship with God, choosing to lean on Him fully even when the odds appear insurmountable, and to resist the temptation to compromise our faith by seeking worldly solutions that bypass divine trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "huge hosts" or overwhelming challenges are you currently facing that tempt you to rely on human solutions rather than God?**
* **Can you recall specific instances in your past, or in the history of God's people, where God delivered against impossible odds? How can remembering these strengthen your faith today?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be subtly or overtly trusting in "chariots and horsemen" (human strength, resources, or connections) instead of fully relying on the LORD?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Ethiopians and the Lubims, and why were they considered such a formidable threat?**

Answer: The Ethiopians (Hebrew: Cushites) and the Lubims (Libyans) were powerful nations located to the south and west of Judah, respectively. The Ethiopians, particularly under Zerah (likely an Egyptian pharaoh of Cushite origin or a general), commanded vast armies known for their numbers and military prowess. The Lubims were their allies, contributing significant forces. They were considered a formidable threat because their combined army, as recorded in [2 Chronicles 14:9](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9 - Zerah's Army"), numbered a million men and three hundred chariots – an overwhelmingly superior force compared to Judah's army. Their presence represented an existential threat to the kingdom of Judah, making Asa's victory over them, through divine intervention, all the more miraculous.

**Why does Hanani remind King Asa of this specific past victory?**

Answer: Hanani reminds Asa of this past victory to highlight the king's spiritual inconsistency and rebuke his current lack of faith. In the earlier conflict against the Ethiopians and Lubims (detailed in [2 Chronicles 14](/2_chronicles/14 "2 Chronicles 14 - Asa's Early Reign and Victory Over Zerah")), Asa had fully relied on the LORD, crying out to Him in prayer, and God granted a decisive victory against overwhelming odds. However, in the current situation, facing a lesser threat from Baasha of Israel, Asa chose to rely on a human alliance with Ben-hadad of Syria, even using temple treasures to secure it ([2 Chronicles 16:2-3](/2_chronicles/16-2 "2 Chronicles 16:2-3 - Asa's Alliance with Ben-hadad")). Hanani's rhetorical question serves to contrast Asa's past faithfulness with his present unfaithfulness, emphasizing that if God could deliver him from a million-man army, He certainly could have delivered him from Baasha without human compromise. It underscores the principle that God's power is always sufficient for those who trust Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The historical deliverance of Judah from the overwhelming forces of the Ethiopians and Lubims, achieved through King Asa's reliance on the LORD, serves as a powerful Old Testament type pointing to the ultimate and perfect deliverance wrought by Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered His people from an impossible physical foe, Christ delivers humanity from the far more formidable spiritual enemies of sin, death, and the devil. The "huge host" of chariots and horsemen finds its ultimate parallel in the spiritual powers and principalities against which believers contend ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")). Yet, Christ, through His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, disarmed these powers and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Our reliance, like Asa's, is not on our own strength or human alliances, but entirely upon the finished work of Christ. He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through faith in Him, we are granted victory over every spiritual foe. The victory that Asa experienced was a shadow; the reality is found in Jesus, who has overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Overcoming the World")) and in whom we can do all things through His strength ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - Strength Through Christ")). He is the ultimate Deliverer, and our faith in Him ensures our eternal triumph.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 12:3

With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people [were] without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

2 Chronicles 13:16

And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.

2 Chronicles 14:9

¶ And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.

2 Chronicles 14:12

So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.

2 Chronicles 16:7

¶ And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

Psalms 37:39

But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble.

Psalms 37:40

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.