2 Chronicles 20:2

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.

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}.

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).

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).

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).

Second Chronicles 20:2 initiates a pivotal narrative in the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, setting the stage for a profound demonstration of faith and divine intervention. This verse delivers the urgent and alarming news that a formidable enemy force is rapidly approaching, posing an existential threat to the kingdom.

Context

King Jehoshaphat was a righteous king who had diligently strengthened Judah's defenses and promoted spiritual instruction throughout the land. Despite his efforts to lead his people in faithfulness, this verse reveals a sudden and overwhelming crisis: "a great multitude" is reported to be advancing against him. The specific location mentioned, "Hazazontamar, which is Engedi," is crucial. Engedi was a fertile oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, strategically important and relatively close to Jerusalem. Its mention signifies that the invading armies—likely the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 20:1—had already advanced significantly into Judahite territory, making the threat immediate and severe.

Key Themes

  • Imminent Danger: The verse powerfully conveys the suddenness and overwhelming scale of the impending attack, leaving no doubt about the severity of the crisis facing Judah.
  • Geographical Precision: The explicit naming of "Engedi" (and its older name Hazazontamar) underscores the enemy's close proximity and strategic positioning. This detail emphasizes the reality and immediacy of the threat, far from being a distant rumor.
  • Catalyst for Faith: While the verse itself only reports the news, it serves as the direct trigger for Jehoshaphat's subsequent reaction of fear and immediate turning to the Lord, which is the central theme of the entire chapter.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Hazazontamar" (Hebrew: חֲצָצוֹן תָּמָר, Hatzatzon Tamar) literally translates to "division of the palm trees." This ancient name for Engedi (עֵין גֶּדִי, Ein Gedi, meaning "spring of the kid/goat") highlights the area's lushness due to its abundant springs and date palms, a stark contrast to the surrounding desert. This made it a vital oasis and an ideal, well-watered staging ground for a large invading army, further emphasizing the gravity of the situation reported to Jehoshaphat.

Practical Application

In life, we often face our own "great multitudes"—overwhelming challenges, sudden crises, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This verse reminds us that it's important to acknowledge the reality of our circumstances, just as Jehoshaphat received a clear report. The immediate, detailed nature of the threat serves as a powerful reminder that when faced with such situations, our first response should be to seek divine guidance and strength, as Jehoshaphat famously did. The subsequent narrative in 2 Chronicles 20 demonstrates that even in the face of impossible odds, God is sovereign and capable of delivering His people, often through unexpected means.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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