2 Chronicles 17:17

And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

And of Benjamin {H1144}; Eliada {H450} a mighty man {H1368} of valour {H2428}, and with him armed men {H5401} with bow {H7198} and shield {H4043} two hundred {H3967} thousand {H505}.

From Binyamin: Elyada, a strong, brave man, and with him 200,000 equipped with bows and shields;

From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields;

And of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;

Commentary

2 Chronicles 17:17 describes a specific contingent of King Jehoshaphat's formidable army, focusing on the forces contributed by the tribe of Benjamin. This verse highlights Eliada, a "mighty man of valour," who commanded a significant force of 200,000 armed men equipped with bows and shields.

Context

This verse is part of a detailed account in 2 Chronicles 17 outlining King Jehoshaphat's reign over Judah. Following the example of his father David, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord and removed idolatry from the land (2 Chronicles 17:3-6). As a result, God established the kingdom in his hand, and he grew exceedingly rich and powerful (2 Chronicles 17:12). Part of this strength was his well-organized and massive army, which the chapter meticulously details. Verses 14-19 list his chief commanders and the number of soldiers under each, demonstrating Jehoshaphat's strategic foresight and administrative capabilities in national defense.

Key Themes

  • Strategic Preparedness: Jehoshaphat, despite walking with God and enjoying divine favor, understood the importance of human diligence and military readiness. He actively built and organized a powerful army to protect his kingdom.
  • Effective Leadership: The mention of Eliada as a "mighty man of valour" underscores the value placed on strong, courageous, and capable leaders within the military structure. Such leaders were crucial for commanding large forces effectively.
  • Tribal Contributions and Unity: The enumeration of forces from different tribes (Judah and Benjamin in this chapter) highlights the collective effort and unity required for national security. Each tribe played a vital role, contributing to the overall strength of the kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "mighty man of valour" translates the Hebrew *gibbor chayil* (ื’ึผึดื‘ึผื•ึนืจ ื—ึทื™ึดืœ). This term is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe individuals of great strength, courage, and military prowess. It denotes not just physical might but also a person of significant capability, influence, and effectiveness, often a leader in battle or a person of standing in the community.

Practical Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

  • Faith and Diligence: Jehoshaphat's example teaches that trust in God does not negate the need for diligent human effort and wise preparation. While God blesses, we are still called to be responsible and proactive in our roles and responsibilities.
  • Importance of Leadership: The emphasis on "mighty men of valour" reminds us of the critical role of strong, principled leadership in any endeavor, whether in families, communities, or organizations.
  • Collective Strength: The detailed account of the army's organization shows the power of unity and collective effort. Just as the tribes contributed to Judah's strength, believers are called to work together, each contributing their part, to build up the body of Christ and engage in spiritual battles, perhaps akin to putting on the full armor of God.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 14:8 (2 votes)

    And Asa had an army [of men] that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these [were] mighty men of valour.

  • 2 Samuel 1:21 (2 votes)

    Ye mountains of Gilboa, [let there be] no dew, neither [let there be] rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, [as though he had] not [been] anointed with oil.

  • 2 Samuel 1:22 (2 votes)

    From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.