2 Chronicles 20:18

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with [his] face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

And Jehoshaphat {H3092} bowed {H6915} his head with his face {H639} to the ground {H776}: and all Judah {H3063} and the inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389} fell {H5307} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, worshipping {H7812} the LORD {H3068}.

Y'hoshafat bowed his head with his face to the ground; while all Y'hudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim fell down before ADONAI, worshipping ADONAI;

Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him.

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah, worshipping Jehovah.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:18 captures a pivotal moment of profound reverence and faith from King Jehoshaphat and the entire nation of Judah.

Context

This verse immediately follows a dramatic encounter where King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah faced an overwhelming invasion from the Ammonites, Moabites, and Meunim. Overwhelmed by the vast army, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast and sought the LORDโ€™s help in prayer. God responded through the prophet Jahaziel, assuring them that they would not need to fight, for "the battle is the LORD's." This divine promise, delivered just moments before, elicited the powerful response of worship described in verse 18.

Key Themes

  • Humility and Submission: The act of "bowing his head with his face to the ground" and "falling before the LORD" signifies ultimate humility and complete submission to God's sovereign will and power. It was an acknowledgment of their own helplessness and God's absolute control over their circumstances.
  • Faith in God's Promise: This worship was not a plea for help, but an immediate response of thanksgiving and trust after receiving God's assurance of victory. It demonstrates faith that believes God's word even before seeing its fulfillment.
  • Corporate Worship and Unity: The fact that "all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem" joined Jehoshaphat underscores the unity of the nation in their faith and worship. This collective response strengthened their resolve and demonstrated a shared reliance on God.
  • Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty: Their prostration and worship were a recognition that God alone was capable of delivering them from such a formidable enemy, reinforcing the truth that the LORD fights for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The actions described โ€“ "bowed his head," "face to the ground," and "fell before the LORD" โ€“ are all expressions of deep prostration. In Hebrew, the word for "worshipping" here is shachah (ืฉืึธื—ึธื”), which literally means "to bow down" or "to prostrate oneself." This emphasizes that their worship was not merely an internal feeling but a profound physical act of reverence, humility, and adoration, signifying complete surrender and respect before the divine presence.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 20:18 serves as a powerful model for responding to life's overwhelming challenges. When we receive God's promises through His Word, or sense His leading, our immediate response should be one of humble worship and faith, even before the solution or deliverance is visible. This passage encourages us to:

  • Approach God with Humility: Recognize His supreme power and our dependence on Him.
  • Worship in Faith: Offer praise and thanks for God's promises, trusting in His faithfulness to deliver.
  • Unite in Trust: Seek collective worship and prayer within the community of faith, reinforcing mutual trust in God's plan.

It reminds us that true worship flows from a heart that trusts God's word, even in the face of impossible odds.

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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

  • Exodus 4:31 (9 votes)

    And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:3 (6 votes)

    And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Genesis 24:26 (5 votes)

    And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

  • Job 1:20 (5 votes)

    ยถ Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

  • Psalms 95:6 (4 votes)

    O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.