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.

With twelve hundred {H3967}{H505} chariots {H7393}, and threescore {H8346} thousand {H505} horsemen {H6571}: and the people {H5971} were without number {H4557} that came {H935} with him out of Egypt {H4714}; the Lubims {H3864}, the Sukkiims {H5525}, and the Ethiopians {H3569}.

He came out of Egypt with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen and a numberless army including Luvim, Suki'im and Ethiopians.

with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites.

with twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen. And the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians.

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 12:3

This verse describes the formidable military force of Shishak, King of Egypt, who invaded Judah during the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign. The invasion is presented as a direct consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness to the Lord, as Rehoboam and the people had forsaken God's law. Following the glory of Solomon's reign, the kingdom of Judah had entered a period of spiritual decline, leading to this severe judgment. The immense scale of Shishak's army, detailed in this verse, underscores the gravity of their apostasy and the overwhelming threat facing Jerusalem.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The invasion by Shishak's massive army serves as a tangible manifestation of God's judgment against Judah for their disobedience. It illustrates that turning away from God's commands brings severe consequences.
  • Overwhelming Adversity: The detailed enumeration of twelve hundred chariots, sixty thousand horsemen, and countless foot soldiers from various nations highlights the seemingly insurmountable odds faced by Judah. This emphasizes the dire situation Rehoboam's kingdom found itself in.
  • International Reach of Conflict: The mention of diverse allied forces—the Lubims, Sukkiims, and Ethiopians—shows the broad alliances and military might of ancient Egypt, making the threat to Judah even more profound.

Linguistic and Historical Insights

The KJV phrase "threescore thousand" is an archaic way of saying sixty thousand. The nations mentioned provide insight into the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East:

  • Lubims: These were the Libyans, inhabitants of ancient Libya, west of Egypt. They were often allied with or under the control of the Egyptian pharaohs.
  • Sukkiims: The exact identity of the Sukkiims is less certain. Some scholars suggest they were a nomadic or tent-dwelling people (from a root meaning "booths" or "tents"), possibly from the eastern desert regions of Egypt. Others link them to a specific tribe or a military contingent within Egypt.
  • Ethiopians: In biblical context, "Ethiopians" refers to the Cushites, people from the region south of Egypt (modern-day Sudan). Cush was a significant power, and its inclusion in Shishak's army demonstrates the extensive reach of his military influence.

Strategic Cross-References

This account is paralleled in 1 Kings 14:25-26, which also records Shishak's invasion of Jerusalem and his plundering of the temple and royal treasures. For the immediate context of the invasion, see 2 Chronicles 12:2.

Practical Application

This verse, though detailing an ancient military invasion, carries timeless lessons. It reminds us that disobedience to God's commands can lead to significant and overwhelming challenges. Just as Judah faced an external threat as a consequence of their internal spiritual decline, individuals and nations today can experience adverse outcomes when they stray from divine principles. The sheer scale of the enemy's force also highlights that even in seemingly hopeless situations, God remains sovereign, and His ultimate purpose will prevail. It implicitly calls for humility and repentance, as seen later in this chapter, where Judah's repentance leads to a measure of divine mercy.

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

Cross-References

  • Nahum 3:9 (7 votes)

    Ethiopia and Egypt [were] her strength, and [it was] infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:8 (7 votes)

    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.

  • Daniel 11:43 (3 votes)

    But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians [shall be] at his steps.

  • 2 Chronicles 14:9 (2 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 43:3 (2 votes)

    For I [am] the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt [for] thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

  • 2 Chronicles 14:12 (2 votes)

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

  • Revelation 9:16 (2 votes)

    And the number of the army of the horsemen [were] two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.