2 Chronicles 17:11

Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

Also some of the Philistines {H6430} brought {H935} Jehoshaphat {H3092} presents {H4503}, and tribute {H4853} silver {H3701}; and the Arabians {H6163} brought {H935} him flocks {H6629}, seven {H7651} thousand {H505} and seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} rams {H352}, and seven {H7651} thousand {H505} and seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} he goats {H8495}.

Some of the P'lishtim brought Y'hoshafat gifts and silver as tribute; the Arabs too brought him flocks - 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.

Some Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.

And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats.

Commentary

Context

King Jehoshaphat of Judah was a righteous king who sought the Lord with all his heart. He strengthened his kingdom, established a strong army, and most importantly, initiated a significant spiritual reform by sending princes, Levites, and priests throughout Judah to teach the Book of the Law of the LORD. This verse follows directly from the previous context, where it is stated that "the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat" (2 Chronicles 17:10). The bringing of presents and tribute by the Philistines and Arabians is a direct manifestation of this divine favor and the respectโ€”or even fearโ€”Jehoshaphat commanded due to God's blessing and the strength of his kingdom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Blessing and Prosperity: This verse highlights the tangible rewards of Jehoshaphat's faithfulness to God. His commitment to the Lord resulted in not only peace and security but also significant material wealth and resources. God's favor provided abundance without the need for warfare.
  • Recognition and Submission of Neighboring Nations: The Philistines, historical adversaries of Israel, and the Arabians, acknowledged Judah's strength and Jehoshaphat's authority by bringing gifts and tribute. This signifies a period of unusual peace and respect, directly attributed to God making even his enemies to be at peace with him.
  • Abundance and Wealth: The specific mention of "seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats" from the Arabians emphasizes the immense scale of the tribute. This signifies great wealth and abundant resources flowing into Judah under Jehoshaphat's reign, showcasing the prosperity God bestowed.

Linguistic Insights

The term "presents" (Hebrew: ืžื ื—ื”, minchah) often refers to a gift or offering, which could be voluntary homage. "Tribute" (Hebrew: ืžืก, mas) denotes a compulsory payment or levy. The combination indicates both voluntary acknowledgment and required submission from the Philistines, reflecting their recognition of Judah's superior position. The repetition of "seven thousand and seven hundred" for both rams and he-goats from the Arabians underscores the sheer volume and value of the flocks, highlighting the extraordinary and specific nature of the prosperity.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that when a leader or a people commit themselves to seeking God and upholding His word, divine favor can lead to unexpected blessings, peace, and prosperity. While modern blessings may not always manifest as literal tribute from neighboring nations, the principle remains: God honors those who honor Him. Jehoshaphat's example encourages us to prioritize spiritual faithfulness, trusting that God's favor can bring security, provision, and influence, even in challenging circumstances. It underscores the importance of a nation's or individual's spiritual health impacting its temporal well-being and relationships with others.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 26:8

    And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad [even] to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened [himself] exceedingly.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:14

    Beside [that which] chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.

  • 2 Samuel 8:2

    And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And [so] the Moabites became David's servants, [and] brought gifts.

  • 2 Kings 3:4

    And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

  • 2 Chronicles 17:5

    Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
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