2 Chronicles 20:2

KJV

Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they [be] in Hazazontamar, which [is] Engedi.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then there came {H935} some that told {H5046} Jehoshaphat {H3092}, saying {H559}, There cometh {H935} a great {H7227} multitude {H1995} against thee from beyond {H5676} the sea {H3220} on this side Syria {H758}; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar {H2688}, which is Engedi {H5872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshafat was told, "A huge army from beyond the [Dead] Sea, from Aram, is on its way to fight you; right now they are in Hatzatzon-Tamar" (that is, 'Ein-Gedi).

Berean Standard Bible

Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).

American Standard Version

Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea from Syria; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (the same is En-gedi).

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 20:2 delivers urgent and alarming intelligence to King Jehoshaphat of Judah, immediately following his comprehensive efforts to reform the nation and re-establish justice. This verse reveals that a vast and formidable enemy coalition is rapidly advancing, having already penetrated Judahite territory and established a strategic staging ground at Hazazontamar, also known as Engedi. This dire report sets the stage for Jehoshaphat's profound demonstration of faith and reliance on God, culminating in a miraculous divine intervention that underscores the immediate and overwhelming nature of the threat facing the kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the pivotal inciting incident for the entire narrative of [2 Chronicles 20](/2_chronicles/20 "2 Chronicles 20 - Jehoshaphat's Prayer and God's Deliverance"). It immediately follows Jehoshaphat's significant reforms, including the establishment of judges throughout the land and a renewed commitment to the Lord, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 19](/2_chronicles/19 "2 Chronicles 19 - Jehoshaphat's Reforms"). The sudden arrival of this overwhelming threat underscores the unpredictable nature of life, even for those who walk righteously, and immediately pivots the narrative from internal reform to external crisis. The news in [2 Chronicles 20:2](/2_chronicles/20-2 "2 Chronicles 20:2 - The News of the Approaching Army") directly triggers Jehoshaphat's response of seeking the Lord, which is elaborated upon in [2 Chronicles 20:3-4](/2_chronicles/20-3-4 "2 Chronicles 20:3-4 - Jehoshaphat Proclaims a Fast"), setting the stage for the dramatic display of divine deliverance that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "beyond the sea on this side Syria" likely refers to the region east and south of the Dead Sea, from which the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites (as identified in [2 Chronicles 20:1](/2_chronicles/20-1 "2 Chronicles 20:1 - The Coalition Against Judah")) would have advanced. Their most probable route would have taken them around the southern tip of the Dead Sea and then northward along its western shore. Engedi (Hazazontamar) was a crucial oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, known for its freshwater springs, date palms, and strategic location. It was a natural assembly point for a large army, providing essential water and shelter in an otherwise arid region. Its proximity to Jerusalem (approximately 35 miles) meant the threat was not distant but imminent, signaling that the invaders had already made significant progress into Judahite territory, bypassing earlier defenses and posing an immediate danger to the capital.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 20:2](/2_chronicles/20-2 "2 Chronicles 20:2 - The News of the Approaching Army") introduces several pivotal themes that permeate the chapter. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Imminent Danger and Overwhelming Odds**, portraying a situation where human strength is clearly insufficient. The "great multitude" signifies an existential threat that demands a response beyond conventional military strategy. Secondly, the **Geographical Specificity** of "Hazazontamar, which is Engedi" emphasizes the reality and immediacy of the threat, grounding the narrative in a tangible, perilous situation. This detail underscores the enemy's strategic positioning and the urgency of the crisis. Finally, the verse serves as the **Catalyst for Faith and Divine Reliance**. While the verse itself only reports the news, it directly precipitates Jehoshaphat's profound act of seeking the Lord, as described in [2 Chronicles 20:3](/2_chronicles/20-3 "2 Chronicles 20:3 - Jehoshaphat's Fear and Resolve"), which becomes the central theological message of God's power to deliver His people when they trust in Him, a theme powerfully articulated in [2 Chronicles 20:15](/2_chronicles/20-15 "2 Chronicles 20:15 - The Lord's Promise of Victory").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Multitude (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** From the root meaning "to roar," this word signifies a noise, tumult, or crowd. When paired with "great" (H7227, _rab_), as in "great multitude" (הָמוֹן רָב), it emphasizes an overwhelming, numerous, and potentially chaotic force. It conveys not just immense quantity but also the formidable and intimidating nature of the approaching armies, suggesting a force that would naturally induce fear and despair in any opposing military, highlighting the sheer scale of the threat.
* **Hazazontamar (Hebrew, _Chatsᵉtsôwn Tâmâr'_):** This ancient name, literally meaning "division (or row) of the palm-tree," refers to a place in Palestine, specifically the oasis later known as Engedi. The name itself speaks to the lushness of the oasis, indicating a place with abundant water and vegetation, making it an ideal, well-provisioned staging ground for a large invading army in an otherwise desolate region. Its mention highlights the enemy's strategic acumen in occupying such a vital location.
* **Engedi (Hebrew, _ʻÊyn Gedîy'_):** Meaning "fountain of a kid," Engedi was a prominent oasis and settlement on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Its strategic importance stemmed from its abundant freshwater springs, which made it a fertile haven in the desert. For the invading armies, it provided a critical base for resupply and preparation before advancing further into Judah. For Judah, its occupation by the enemy signified that the threat was not distant but had already breached their natural defenses, placing the heartland and Jerusalem itself in immediate peril.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying,"**: This clause immediately establishes the urgency and the source of the information. The news is not a rumor but a direct, credible report delivered to the king, emphasizing its authenticity and the immediate need for a royal response. It highlights the critical role of intelligence gathering in ancient warfare and the direct communication of severe threats to the leadership, setting the stage for Jehoshaphat's subsequent actions.
* **"There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria;"**: This is the core message of the warning, identifying the nature and general origin of the threat. "A great multitude" underscores the overwhelming numerical superiority of the enemy, designed to instill fear and highlight the human impossibility of the situation. The geographical descriptor "from beyond the sea on this side Syria" points to the general direction of the invading forces, likely indicating the coalition from Edom, Moab, and Ammon, who would have traveled around the southern end of the Dead Sea. This detail confirms the foreign and formidable nature of the aggressors.
* **"and, behold, they [be] in Hazazontamar, which [is] Engedi."**: This final clause provides the critical, precise location of the enemy. The use of "behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_) serves to draw immediate attention to the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the enemy's close proximity and strategic positioning. By specifying "Hazazontamar, which is Engedi," the report conveys that the invaders have already advanced deep into Judahite territory, bypassing initial defenses and establishing a base just a short distance from Jerusalem. This detail transforms a general threat into an immediate, tangible crisis, underscoring the urgency for Jehoshaphat to act.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **Literary Devices** to convey the gravity of the situation. The use of **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the immediate and overwhelming threat reported here sets the stage for the miraculous divine intervention that will follow in the chapter, hinting at a resolution that transcends human capability. The phrase "great multitude" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, not necessarily an exact count, but a rhetorical device to emphasize the sheer, overwhelming numbers of the enemy, conveying the sense of an insurmountable force. Furthermore, the precise **Geographical Specificity** ("Hazazontamar, which is Engedi") grounds the narrative in reality, making the threat tangible and immediate. This detail not only provides crucial information about the enemy's location but also heightens the dramatic tension by underscoring how close the danger is to Judah's heartland.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The news delivered in [2 Chronicles 20:2](/2_chronicles/20-2 "2 Chronicles 20:2 - The News of the Approaching Army") immediately establishes a profound theological dilemma: how does a righteous king, who has diligently sought the Lord and strengthened his kingdom, respond to an overwhelming, existential threat? This verse sets the stage for a profound demonstration of divine sovereignty and the power of prayer and faith in the face of human impossibility. It underscores the biblical principle that even in times of obedience and faithfulness, trials will come, but God remains the ultimate deliverer. The magnitude of the threat serves to magnify God's subsequent miraculous intervention, showing that His power is most clearly displayed when human resources are utterly exhausted.

* [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious About Anything")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In our own lives, we often encounter "great multitudes"—sudden, overwhelming challenges, crises that seem insurmountable, or circumstances that threaten to engulf us. Like Jehoshaphat, we may find ourselves confronted with news that shakes our foundations and fills us with fear. This verse powerfully reminds us that acknowledging the reality and magnitude of our challenges is a necessary first step. It is not a call to despair, but rather a catalyst for turning to the only one who can truly deliver. Just as the detailed report of the enemy's location underscored the immediacy of the threat to Jehoshaphat, so too do the specific details of our struggles make them real and pressing. The subsequent narrative of [2 Chronicles 20](/2_chronicles/20 "2 Chronicles 20 - Jehoshaphat's Prayer and God's Deliverance") demonstrates that such moments of crisis are often divine invitations to deepen our reliance on God, to seek His face with earnest prayer and fasting, and to witness His power manifested in ways we could never orchestrate. Our "Engedi" moments are opportunities for God to display His glory and faithfulness, transforming our fear into faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "great multitude" or overwhelming challenge are you currently facing in your life?**
* **How does the specific, immediate nature of the threat to Jehoshaphat resonate with your own experiences of crisis?**
* **Before considering solutions, how does acknowledging the full reality of a difficult situation prepare you to seek God's intervention?**
* **What is your immediate, instinctive response when confronted with overwhelming news or circumstances, and how might you intentionally shift it towards divine reliance?**

### FAQ
**Why is the location "Hazazontamar, which is Engedi" mentioned with such specificity?**

Answer: The specific mention of "Hazazontamar, which is Engedi," serves several crucial purposes. First, it provides geographical precision, grounding the narrative in a real and identifiable location. Engedi was a well-known oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, strategically vital due to its abundant water springs and lush vegetation in an otherwise arid region. For the invading armies, it was an ideal staging ground, allowing them to regroup and prepare for their final assault. Second, its proximity to Jerusalem (approximately 35 miles) underscored the immediate and dire nature of the threat. The enemy was not distant but had already advanced significantly into Judahite territory, signaling that the kingdom's defenses had been breached and the capital was in imminent danger. This detail heightens the tension and emphasizes the gravity of the crisis facing Jehoshaphat and his people, making the subsequent divine intervention even more remarkable. It transforms a general threat into a tangible, immediate peril.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "great multitude" that threatened Jehoshaphat and Judah in [2 Chronicles 20:2](/2_chronicles/20-2 "2 Chronicles 20:2 - The News of the Approaching Army") powerfully foreshadows the spiritual "multitude" of sin, death, and spiritual enemies that humanity faces, a threat far more formidable and pervasive than any earthly army. Just as Jehoshaphat's kingdom faced an existential crisis, humanity was under the dominion of sin, with no human means of escape. The response of Jehoshaphat—to turn to the Lord in fear and faith, proclaiming that "we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee" ([2 Chronicles 20:12](/2_chronicles/20-12 "2 Chronicles 20:12 - Jehoshaphat's Prayer of Helplessness"))—perfectly encapsulates the human condition before Christ. We are utterly powerless against the spiritual forces of evil and the eternal consequences of sin. Jesus Christ, however, is the ultimate Deliverer. He confronted and triumphed over the "great multitude" of spiritual adversaries and the power of death through His crucifixion and resurrection, disarming the rulers and authorities and putting them to open shame by triumphing over them in Him ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He is the true King who, unlike Jehoshaphat who needed God's intervention, *is* God intervening, providing the victory not through human strength but through His perfect sacrifice and resurrection, granting us freedom from the ultimate "multitude" that held us captive ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Deliverance from the Fear of Death")). In Christ, our eyes are fixed on the One who has already secured the decisive victory, enabling us to face any earthly "multitude" with divine peace and confidence ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Overcoming the World")).

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

Genesis 14:7

And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which [is] Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.

1 Samuel 23:29

And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

Numbers 34:12

And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.

Joshua 3:16

That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

Song Of Solomon 1:14

My beloved [is] unto me [as] a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.

Genesis 14:3

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

Joshua 15:62

And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.