2 Chronicles 20:26

And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.

And on the fourth {H7243} day {H3117} they assembled {H6950} themselves in the valley {H6010} of Berachah {H1294}; for there they blessed {H1288} the LORD {H3068}: therefore the name {H8034} of the same place {H4725} was called {H7121}, The valley {H6010} of Berachah {H1294}, unto this day {H3117}.

On the fourth day, they assembled in the Valley of B'rakhah [blessing], where they blessed ADONAI; hence that place is called the Valley of B'rakhah to this day.

On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they blessed the LORD. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah; for there they blessed Jehovah: therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah unto this day.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:26 describes a pivotal moment of communal gratitude following a miraculous victory for the Kingdom of Judah under King Jehoshaphat. This verse marks the culmination of their journey from a place of fear and impending destruction to one of overwhelming praise and thanksgiving.

Context

This verse comes at the triumphant conclusion of a dramatic narrative in 2 Chronicles chapter 20. King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah faced an immense coalition of armies from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir, threatening to annihilate them. Instead of relying on military might, Jehoshaphat called for a national fast and prayer, seeking divine intervention (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). God answered through the prophet Jahaziel, promising that the battle was not theirs, but God's, and they would not need to fight (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

True to His word, God caused the invading armies to turn on each other, resulting in their complete destruction before Judah even engaged in combat (2 Chronicles 20:22-24). For three days, the people gathered immense spoils from the fallen enemies. On the fourth day, as described in this verse, they assembled in a specific valley to offer collective praise and blessing to the Lord, naming the place as a lasting memorial to God's faithfulness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance and Victory: The verse highlights God's active role in saving His people from overwhelming odds. It's a testament to the truth that salvation belongs to the Lord.
  • Gratitude and Praise: The primary action in the valley is "blessing the LORD." This demonstrates the appropriate response to God's mighty acts โ€“ heartfelt and communal thanksgiving. It underscores the importance of acknowledging God as the source of all blessings.
  • Memorialization: By naming the place "The valley of Berachah," the event became a perpetual reminder of God's miraculous intervention. This act served to teach future generations about God's power and faithfulness.
  • Corporate Worship: The assembly was a collective act of worship, showing the power and significance of a community coming together to give glory to God.

Linguistic Insights

The name of the valley, "Berachah" (Hebrew: ื‘ึฐึผืจึธื›ึธื”, bฤ•rฤkฤh), is highly significant. It literally means "blessing" or "praise." The naming of the valley directly reflects the actions taken there: "for there they blessed the LORD." This direct correlation between the place's name and the event that occurred there serves as a powerful and enduring testimony to God's goodness and Judah's response of gratitude.

Practical Application

The account of the Valley of Berachah offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Respond to God's Deliverance with Praise: Just as Judah gathered to bless the Lord, we are called to acknowledge and praise God for His interventions in our lives, whether big or small. Our victories, especially those achieved through faith rather than our own strength, should lead to genuine gratitude.
  • Remember God's Faithfulness: Like the permanent naming of the valley, we should create our own "memorials" of God's past faithfulness. This could be through journaling, sharing testimonies, or reflecting on specific instances where God has come through for us, strengthening our faith for future challenges.
  • The Power of Corporate Gratitude: There is immense power in joining with other believers to offer thanks and praise to God. Collective worship amplifies our gratitude and reinforces our shared experience of God's grace.
  • From Burden to Blessing: The story reminds us that even dire situations can be transformed into opportunities for God to display His glory, leading to a place of blessing and praise. This encourages us to trust that God works all things for good for those who love Him.
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

  • Psalms 103:1

    ยถ [A Psalm] of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.

  • Psalms 103:2

    Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

  • Exodus 17:15

    And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:

  • Isaiah 62:4

    Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

  • Psalms 107:21

    Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

  • Psalms 107:22

    And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

  • Luke 1:68

    Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
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