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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › 2 Chronicles 14  › 2 Chronicles 14:9

2 Chronicles 14:9

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2 Chronicles 14:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah.

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

And Zerah the Ethiopian, with an army of a million, and three hundred war-carriages, came out against them to Mareshah.

Free Bible Version FBV

Zerah the Ethiopian attacked them with an army of a thousand times a thousand men and three hundred chariots, advancing as far as Mareshah.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And there came out against them Zerah of Ethiopia with an hoste of ten hundreth thousande, and three hundreth charets, and came vnto Mareshah.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And come out unto them doth Zerah the Cushite with a force of a thousand thousand, and chariots three hundred, and he cometh in unto Mareshah,

World English Bible WEB

Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million troops and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And there came out against them Zerah the Cushite, with a host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came to Mareshah.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And Zara the Ethiopian came out against them with his army of ten hundred thousand men, and with three hundred chariots: and he came as far as Maresa.

Translation for Translators T4T

Zerah, a man from Ethiopia/Sudan, marched with a huge army and 300 chariots to attack the army of Judah and Benjamin. They went as far as the town of Mareshah about 25 miles/southwest of Jerusalem.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 14:9

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

2 Chronicles 14:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יֵּצֵ֥א אָסָ֖א לְ/פָנָ֑י/ו וַ/יַּֽעַרְכוּ֙ מִלְחָמָ֔ה בְּ/גֵ֥יא צְפַ֖תָה לְ/מָרֵשָֽׁה
וַ/יֵּצֵ֥א yâtsâʼ H3318 to come out Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אָסָ֖א ʼÂçâʼ H609 Asa N-proper
לְ/פָנָ֑י/ו pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff
וַ/יַּֽעַרְכוּ֙ ʻârak H6186 to arrange Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
מִלְחָמָ֔ה milchâmâh H4421 battle N-fs
בְּ/גֵ֥יא gayʼ H1516 Valley Prep | N-cs
צְפַ֖תָה Tsᵉphâthâh H6859 Zephathah N-proper
לְ/מָרֵשָֽׁה Marʼêshâh H4762 Mareshah Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 14:9

וַ/יֵּצֵ֥א yâtsâʼ H3318 "to come out" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
אָסָ֖א ʼÂçâʼ H609 "Asa" N-proper
Asa was a king of Judah, son of Abijam, who ruled wisely and brought peace to the land, as recorded in 1 Kings 15:11-15 and 2 Chronicles 14-16.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at 1Ch.9.16; son of: Elkanah (H0511K); father of: Berechiah (H1296I) § Asa = "healer: injurious (?)" 1) king of Judah, son of Abijam, father of Jehoshaphat 2) a Levite
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: Asa. See also: 1 Kings 15:8; 2 Chronicles 13:23; Jeremiah 41:9.
לְ/פָנָ֑י/ו pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
וַ/יַּֽעַרְכוּ֙ ʻârak H6186 "to arrange" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to value or arrange things in order. It is used in various contexts, like setting up an army for battle or estimating the value of something, as seen in 1 Kings 10.
Definition: 1) to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to arrange or set or lay in order, arrange, state in order, set forth (a legal case), set in place 1a2) to compare, be comparable
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle), ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax, value. See also: Genesis 14:8; 1 Chronicles 12:39; Psalms 5:4.
מִלְחָמָ֔ה milchâmâh H4421 "battle" N-fs
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Definition: battle, war
Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.
בְּ/גֵ֥יא gayʼ H1516 "Valley" Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a deep, narrow valley or gorge. It is also another name for Topheth, a place of child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom. The word describes a steep and dramatic landscape.
Definition: valley, a steep valley, narrow gorge Another name of to.phet (תֹּ֫פֶת "Topheth" H8612)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: valley. See also: Numbers 21:20; Nehemiah 11:30; Psalms 23:4.
צְפַ֖תָה Tsᵉphâthâh H6859 "Zephathah" N-proper
Zephathah is a valley in western Judah, also meaning watch-tower. It is mentioned in the Bible as a location where the Israelites fought battles, as recorded in the book of 2 Samuel.
Definition: § Zephathah = "watch-tower" a valley in western Judah
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Zephathah. See also: 2 Chronicles 14:9.
לְ/מָרֵשָֽׁה Marʼêshâh H4762 "Mareshah" Prep | N-proper
Mareshah was a city in the lowlands of Judah and also the name of a man from the tribe of Judah, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:21.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.21; son of: Laadah (H3935) § Mareshah = "crest of a hill" one of the cities in the lowlands of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Mareshah. See also: Joshua 15:44; 2 Chronicles 14:8; Micah 1:15.

Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 14:9

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Chronicles 16:8 Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand.
2 2 Chronicles 12:2–3 In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites.
3 2 Chronicles 11:8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
4 Joshua 15:44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—nine cities, along with their villages.
5 2 Kings 19:9 Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “Look, he has set out to fight against you.” So Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
6 Micah 1:15 I will again bring a conqueror against you, O dweller of Mareshah. The glory of Israel will come to Adullam.
7 Ezekiel 30:5 Cush, Put, and Lud, and all the various peoples, as well as Libya and the men of the covenant land, will fall with Egypt by the sword.
8 Isaiah 8:9–10 Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered! Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us. ”
9 Revelation 16:14 These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

2 Chronicles 14:9 Summary

This verse, 2 Chronicles 14:9, tells us about a powerful enemy, Zerah the Cushite, who came to attack King Asa and the people of Judah with a huge army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. Despite being vastly outnumbered, King Asa and his army trusted in God, just like David did when he faced Goliath, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:45-47. This event shows us that even when we face big challenges, we can trust God to help us, just like He helped King Asa, and remember that 'with God all things are possible', as Jesus said in Matthew 19:26. By trusting in God's power and provision, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles, just like the Israelites did when they crossed the Red Sea, as described in Exodus 14:13-31.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Zerah the Cushite?

Zerah the Cushite was a powerful military leader from the land of Cush, which is often associated with modern-day Ethiopia, who came against King Asa and the people of Judah with a large army, as seen in 2 Chronicles 14:9, in a similar manner to how other foreign leaders, such as the Assyrians, threatened the Israelites, as described in 2 Kings 15:29.

Why did Zerah attack Judah?

The Bible does not specifically state why Zerah attacked Judah, but it is likely that he sought to expand his territory and conquer the wealthy and prosperous nation of Judah, which had been blessed by God, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 14:7.

What was the significance of the Valley of Zephathah?

The Valley of Zephathah, where Asa and his army lined up to face Zerah's army, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 14:10, was likely a strategic location that provided a strong defensive position, similar to how other valleys and mountains were used in biblical battles, such as the Valley of Elah in 1 Samuel 17:2.

How does this event relate to the rest of 2 Chronicles?

This event in 2 Chronicles 14:9 is part of a larger narrative that highlights King Asa's trust in God and his military victories, which is a recurring theme throughout the book of 2 Chronicles, as seen in 2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19, and is reminiscent of other biblical accounts of faith and trust in God, such as the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I feel overwhelmed by the 'army of 1,000,000' and how can I trust God to deliver me, just like He did for King Asa?
  2. How can I apply the principle of seeking God and giving Him the glory, as King Asa did in 2 Chronicles 14:11, to my own life and challenges?
  3. What are some 'chariots' in my life that seem too powerful for me to overcome, and how can I trust God to help me, just like He helped the Israelites against the Egyptians in Exodus 14:13-14?
  4. In what ways can I, like King Asa, 'rely on God' and trust in His power and provision, especially when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, as encouraged in Psalm 37:3-7?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 14:9

And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian, with an host of thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots,.... According to Josephus (b), this army consisted of 900,000 foot, and 100,000

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 14:9

And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. There came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian. Zerah (Ewald, 'Geschichte,' 3:, p.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 14:9

The Ethiopian; or, the Arabian, as the Hebrew word Cush is commonly used, as hath been noted before; these being much nearer to Asa than the Ethiopians, who also could not have come to Asa but through Egypt, which probably the king of Egypt would not permit him to do. Mareshah; a city upon and within the borders of Judah, .

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 14:9

2 Chronicles 14:9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.Ver. 9. And there came out against them.] Called in, likely, by the ten tribes, in revenge of the late overthrow given them by Abijah. Zerah the Ethiopian.] Who is thought to have reigned over Egypt also. With a host of a thousand thousand.] A larger host than that of Xerxes. Josephus saith it consisted of nine hundred thousand foot, and one hundred thousand horse. And three hundred chariots,] sc., Falcatis et aeratis, armed with scythes, and other instruments of death. And came unto Mareshah.] The country of the prophet Micah, the Morasthite, in the tribe of Judah. Here, then, was Hannibal ad portas.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 14:9

(9) Against them.—Against the army described in last verse. Literally, unto them (Genesis 4:8; Judges 12:3). Zerah the Ethiopian.—Heb., ha-Kûshî. (See Note on 1 Chronicles 1:8 [Cush].) Zerah is identified with Osorchon II., hieroglyphic Uasarken, who succeeded Shishak as king of Egypt. The name of this king is curiously like that of Sargon, the great Assyrian conqueror of the eighth century. (See Note on 2 Chronicles 12:2.) The object of the expedition appears to have been to bring Judah again under the yoke of Egypt. Shishak had made Rehoboam tributary (2 Chronicles 12:8), after reducing his fortresses and plundering Jerusalem. But now Asa had restored the defences of his country, and apparently reorganised the fighting material; steps indicating a desire for national independence. A thousand thousand.—This very large and symmetrical number would probably be best represented in English by an indefinite expression, like “myriads.” It is otherwise out of all proportion to the three hundred chariots, which last seems a correct datum. Syriac and Arabic say “20,000 chariots.” Mareshah.—One of the fortresses of Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:8). It lay in the lowland of Judah, about twenty-six miles south-west of Jerusalem.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 14:9

Verse 9. Zerah the Ethiopian] Probably of that Ethiopia which lay on the south of Egypt, near to Libya, and therefore the Libyans are joined with them, 2 Chronicles 16:8. A thousand thousand] If this people had come from any great distance, they could not have had forage for such an immense army.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 14:9

9–15 (no parallel in Kings). The Battle of Mareshah For a discussion of the historical probabilities of this account see Introduction, § 8.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Chronicles 14:9

Zerah the Ethiopian is probably Usarken (Osorkon) II, the third king of Egypt after Shishak, according to the Egyptian monuments.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 14:9

WAR WITH ZERAH THE , 2 Chronicles 14:9-15.9. Zerah the Ethiopian belonged, probably, to the same dynasty as Shishak, (see note on 1 Kings 11:40; 1 Kings 14:25,) for the composition of his army of

Sermons on 2 Chronicles 14:9

SermonDescription
John Owen The Beauty and Strength of Zion by John Owen In this sermon, the preacher addresses five questions regarding the protection and preservation of the church. The preacher begins by giving an illustration of how massive and impe
Chuck Smith Ezekiel 37 by Chuck Smith Chuck Smith discusses the prophetic significance of Ezekiel 37, emphasizing the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the latter days and the return of Israel to its land as a sign
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