Jehoshaphat strengthens himself, and Hashem is with him 'because he walked in the first ways of his father David.' The chapter’s quiet landmark is an itinerant Torah academy: princes, Levites, and priests sent out in his third year, 'having the book of the Law of Hashem with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.' The fear of Hashem falls on the surrounding kingdoms; Philistines and Arabians bring tribute; 'his heart was lifted up in the ways of Hashem.'
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
verse value 2570
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 32 letters. The shortest word is "his·son" (בְּנ֖וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "against·Israel" (עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל, 7 letters). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·reigned" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "his·son" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "against·Israel" (root ישראל, 140x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root יהושפט ("Jehoshaphat") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·his·stead', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ [and·he·reigned] (106) + יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט [Jehoshaphat] (410) + בְּנ֖וֹ [his·son] (58) + תַּחְתָּ֑יו [in·his·stead] (824) + וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֖ק [and·he·strengthened·himself] (531) + עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל [against·Israel] (641) = 2570.
Metzudat David
'and strengthened himself' – He employed strategies to strengthen himself in the kingship.
Malbim
'And strengthened himself against Israel' — For Asa had been afraid of Baasa and had not been able to hold on to the places he had captured from the kingdom of Ephraim, whereas Jehoshaphat strengthened himself even against Israel. And Scripture goes on to explain:
And he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
verse value 3825
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 66 letters. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֥ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·he·placed·forces" (וַיִּ֨תֶּן־חַ֔יִל, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 30: Judah, Judah. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·placed·forces" (וַיִּ֨תֶּן־חַ֔יִל), "garrisons" (נְצִיבִים֙). The root נתן appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles); "and·he·placed·forces" (root נתן, 116x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root בצור ("the·fortified") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·fortified', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 10 words. Full calculation: וַיִּ֨תֶּן־חַ֔יִל [and·he·placed·forces] (514) + בְּכׇל־עָרֵ֥י [in·all·cities·of] (332) + יְהוּדָ֖ה [Judah] (30) + הַבְּצֻר֑וֹת [the·fortified] (703) + וַיִּתֵּ֤ן [and·he·set] (466) + נְצִיבִים֙ [garrisons] (202) + בְּאֶ֣רֶץ [in·land·of] (293) + יְהוּדָ֔ה [Judah] (30) + וּבְעָרֵ֣י [and·in·cities·of] (288) + אֶפְרַ֔יִם [Ephraim] (331) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + לָכַ֖ד [had·taken] (54) + אָסָ֥א [Asa] (62) + אָבִֽיו [his·father] (19) = 3825.
Ralbag
and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken — Asa his father had captured them from Baasa before the episode of Hanani the seer, and [Jehoshaphat] stationed officers in those cities to guard them for him and to govern the people who lived there.
Metzudat Zion
Garrisons — Officers.
Malbim
'And he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah' — he stationed troops there to guard and strengthen them; and in the rest of the cities of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, he placed garrisons.
And Hashem was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and did not seek to the Baalim;
verse value 2270
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 53 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "because" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "with·Jehoshaphat" (עִם־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט, 8 letters). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·he·was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "because" (root כי, 131x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root בעל ("to·the·Baalim") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·Jehoshaphat', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 9 words. Full calculation: וַיְהִ֥י [and·he·was] (31) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + עִם־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט [with·Jehoshaphat] (520) + כִּ֣י [because] (30) + הָלַ֗ךְ [he·walked] (55) + בְּדַרְכֵ֞י [in·ways·of] (236) + דָּוִ֤יד [David] (24) + אָבִיו֙ [his·father] (19) + הָרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים [the·first] (606) + וְלֹ֥א [and·not] (37) + דָרַ֖שׁ [sought] (504) + לַבְּעָלִֽים [to·the·Baalim] (182) = 2270.
Rashi
in the first ways of David, his father But not the last ways, when he sinned in the incident of Bathsheba, and when the Adversary enticed him to count Israel. This is the most accurate interpretation, but others explain “first” as meaning superior to Solomon and Rehoboam. Regarding Solomon, it is written (I Kings 11:4): “his wives turned away his heart” at the end of his days, and he built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.” Regarding Rehoboam, it is written (above 12:1): “And when he became strong, he abandoned the Law of the Lord.” [Jehoshaphat was also not] like Abijam, about whom it is written (I Kings 15:2): “and his heart was not complete with the Lord, his God,” or like Asa, who did not rely on the Lord; [Jehoshaphat] resembled his father, David, who had only one heart for his Father in heaven. and did not inquire of the baalim like the practice of Israel in his time, for Ahab, who was in his time, worshipped the baalim, as did Israel in his time.
Metzudat David
'the first [ways]' – In which he [David] did not sin; but in his latter days he sinned in the matter of Uriah, and in that he took a census of Israel.
Malbim
'He walked in the first ways of his father David' — Righteousness is measured relative to the standard of its generation, to the point that in that era, anyone who did not worship idols the way the kings of Israel did would be said to walk in the ways of David — meaning that, by the standard of the later generation, he walked in David's ways. But Jehoshaphat walked in the ways of David of the first generation, that is, like David himself. 'And did not seek to the Baalim' — lest you think he wavered between two opinions, seeking first the Baalim and, once he saw there was nothing to them, seeking Hashem — no, for he did not seek out or inquire after them at all, but sought only the God of his father — unlike the kings of Israel, who sought Him in combination [with other gods].
but sought to the God of his father, and walked in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
verse value 2257
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 38 letters. The shortest word is "but" (כִּ֠י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·in·His·commandments" (וּבְמִצְוֺתָ֖יו, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·in·His·commandments" (וּבְמִצְוֺתָ֖יו). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "Israel" (root ישראל, 140x in II Chronicles); "but" (root כי, 131x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'walked', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: כִּ֠י [but] (30) + לֵאלֹהֵ֤י [to·the·God·of] (76) + אָבִיו֙ [his·father] (19) + דָּרָ֔שׁ [sought] (504) + וּבְמִצְוֺתָ֖יו [and·in·His·commandments] (560) + הָלָ֑ךְ [walked] (55) + וְלֹ֖א [and·not] (37) + כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה [as·deed·of] (435) + יִשְׂרָאֵֽל [Israel] (541) = 2257.
Ralbag
and not after the doings of Israel — meaning, that they were worshiping idols.
Metzudat David
and not after the doings of Israel – These are the sons of the ten tribes, who sinned through idol worship.
Therefore Hashem established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honor in abundance.
verse value 2677
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 60 letters. Notable word values: "and·he·established" (וַיָּ֨כֶן) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "in·abundance" (לָרֹֽב, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·kingdom" (אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָה֙, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "riches·and·honor" (עֹשֶׁר־וְכָב֖וֹד). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·it·was·to·him" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "and·they·gave" (root נתן, 116x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Jehoshaphat', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיָּ֨כֶן [and·he·established] (86) + יְהֹוָ֤ה [Hashem] (26) + אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָה֙ [the·kingdom] (541) + בְּיָד֔וֹ [in·his·hand] (22) + וַיִּתְּנ֧וּ [and·they·gave] (472) + כׇל־יְהוּדָ֛ה [all·Judah] (80) + מִנְחָ֖ה [present] (103) + לִיהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט [to·Jehoshaphat] (440) + וַיְהִי־ל֥וֹ [and·it·was·to·him] (67) + עֹשֶׁר־וְכָב֖וֹד [riches·and·honor] (608) + לָרֹֽב [in·abundance] (232) = 2677.
Malbim
Therefore Hashem established the kingdom in his hand - Through this, Hashem established the kingdom in his hand: that is, the people over whom he ruled were all wealthy and prosperous (this is the difference between melucha, kingship, and mamlachah, kingdom, as I have written in several places). Because of this, they all gave Jehoshaphat gifts on account of their great wealth, and through this he had riches and honor in abundance.
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Hashem; and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.
verse value 2574
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 47 letters. Notable word values: "and·it·was·lifted·up" (וַיִּגְבַּ֥הּ) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 2574 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "his·heart" (לִבּ֖וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·Asherim" (וְאֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: and·it·was·lifted·up, Hashem. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·it·was·lifted·up" (וַיִּגְבַּ֥הּ). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "from·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles); "in·ways·of" (root דרך, 26x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַיִּגְבַּ֥הּ [and·it·was·lifted·up] (26) + לִבּ֖וֹ [his·heart] (38) + בְּדַרְכֵ֣י [in·ways·of] (236) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + וְע֗וֹד [and·furthermore] (86) + הֵסִ֛יר [he·took·away] (275) + אֶת־הַבָּמ֥וֹת [the·high·places] (854) + וְאֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים [and·the·Asherim] (963) + מִיהוּדָֽה [from·Judah] (70) = 2574.
Rashi
And his heart was uplifted in the ways of the Lord His heart was lifted up in this matter, that he went only in the ways of the Lord. An example of this is (Exod. 35:26): “whose hearts had uplifted them in wisdom.”
Ralbag
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Hashem — meaning, his desire rose greatly, extraordinarily, to walk in the ways of Hashem, may He be blessed; and so he removed what remained of the high places and the Asherim from Judah, and commanded that the Torah of Hashem be taught in the cities of Judah, so that the people of his nation would hold fast to it.
Metzudat David
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Hashem – That is, even though he had wealth and honor, his heart was not lifted up because of them, but only because he walked in the ways of Hashem; for all his wealth and honor counted as nothing to him compared with the ways of Hashem. and furthermore he took away – That is, it was not enough that he himself walked in the ways of Hashem; he also compelled others [to do so].
Malbim
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Hashem - Lest you say that his heart grew haughty because of his wealth: what made his heart lifted up was in the ways of Hashem. The more he prospered, the more he grew in the fear of Hashem, and he removed the rest of the high places and the Asherim.
Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;
verse value 4049
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 70 letters. The shortest word is "sent" (שָׁלַ֤ח, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·to·Micaiah" (וּלְמִיכָיָ֑הוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 127: and·to·Obadiah, and·to·Micaiah. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·his·princes" (לְשָׂרָיו֙), "to·Ben-hail" (לְבֶן־חַ֙יִל֙), "and·to·Obadiah" (וּלְעֹבַדְיָ֣ה). 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "of·his·reigning" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "to·Ben-hail" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root זכריה ("and·to·Zechariah") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root למד ("to·teach") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·to·Micaiah', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 3 words. Full calculation: וּבִשְׁנַ֨ת [and·in·year·of] (758) + שָׁל֜וֹשׁ [three] (636) + לְמׇלְכ֗וֹ [of·his·reigning] (126) + שָׁלַ֤ח [sent] (338) + לְשָׂרָיו֙ [to·his·princes] (546) + לְבֶן־חַ֙יִל֙ [to·Ben-hail] (130) + וּלְעֹבַדְיָ֣ה [and·to·Obadiah] (127) + וְלִזְכַרְיָ֔ה [and·to·Zechariah] (278) + וְלִנְתַנְאֵ֖ל [and·to·Nethanel] (567) + וּלְמִיכָיָ֑הוּ [and·to·Micaiah] (127) + לְלַמֵּ֖ד [to·teach] (104) + בְּעָרֵ֥י [in·cities·of] (282) + יְהוּדָֽה [Judah] (30) = 4049.
Rashi
Ben Hail That was his name. Others explain: he sent to his officers, every officer a valiant man. But I have difficulty with this interpretation because, if so, it should have only said, “Obadiah.” The fact that it says, “to Obadiah” proves that Ben Hail was a person’s name. to teach in the cities of Judah [i.e., to teach] the Torah and to instruct the Children of Israel.
Metzudat David
his princes – [Meaning] his officers. even Ben-hail – [That is,] to Ben-hail; and this is the name of a man. to teach – To compel them to study, for the priests and Levites taught them.
Malbim
He sent his princes... to teach in the cities of Judah - and with them, Levites and priests. And not merely rational commandments, but the Torah of Hashem together with them; they went about all the cities, teaching all the people, great and small.
and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
verse value 5518
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 111 letters. The shortest word is "and·Tob-" (וְט֥וֹב, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·Shemiramoth" (וּשְׁמִירָמ֡וֹת, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 527: and·Nethaniah, and·Jehonathan. 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "Shemaiah" (שְֽׁמַעְיָ֡הוּ), "and·Nethaniah" (וּנְתַנְיָ֡הוּ), "and·Shemiramoth" (וּשְׁמִירָמ֡וֹת). The root עם appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·with·them" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "the·priests" (root כהן, 90x in II Chronicles); "the·Levites" (root לוי, 65x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root יהורם ("and·Jehoram") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Levites', dividing the verse into phrases of 14 and 4 words. 12 of the verse's 18 words begin with the letter ו.
Rashi
And with them of the Levites were Shemaiah, Nethaniah, etc. and with them were Elishama and Jehoram, the priests because it is incumbent upon the priests and the Levites to teach and to instruct, as it is written (Deut. 24:8): “in accordance with everything the priests, the Levites teach you.” The officers went with them because they [the people] would not disobey their orders, and [the officers went] to coerce them [the people] to heed them [the priests] and to observe [and] to do in accordance with the order of the judges. An example (ibid. 15:18): “Judges and law-enforcing officials shall you appoint for yourself”: Judges to judge the people, and law-enforcing officials to coerce them to comply with the orders of the judges.
Metzudat Zion
And Tob-adonijah — This is the name of a single individual.
And they taught in Judah, having the book of the Law of Hashem with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.
verse value 2315
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 53 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "book·of" (סֵ֖פֶר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·they·taught" (וַֽיְלַמְּדוּ֙, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 96: and·they·taught, and·they·taught. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "law·of" (תּוֹרַ֣ת). The root למד appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·with·them" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "in·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַֽיְלַמְּדוּ֙ [and·they·taught] (96) + בִּיהוּדָ֔ה [in·Judah] (32) + וְעִ֨מָּהֶ֔ם [and·with·them] (161) + סֵ֖פֶר [book·of] (340) + תּוֹרַ֣ת [law·of] (1006) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + וַיָּסֹ֙בּוּ֙ [and·they·went·about] (84) + בְּכׇל־עָרֵ֣י [in·all·cities·of] (332) + יְהוּדָ֔ה [Judah] (30) + וַֽיְלַמְּד֖וּ [and·they·taught] (96) + בָּעָֽם [in·the·people] (112) = 2315.
Metzudat David
having the book of the Law of Hashem with them, etc. – With them they brought the scroll of the Torah of Hashem.
And a terror from Hashem fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
verse value 3239
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 57 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "upon" (עַ֚ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·kingdoms·of" (כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "they·fought" (נִלְחֲמ֖וּ). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "and·it·was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיְהִ֣י [and·it·was] (31) + פַּ֣חַד [terror] (92) + יְהֹוָ֗ה [Hashem] (26) + עַ֚ל [upon] (100) + כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת [all·kingdoms·of] (586) + הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת [the·lands] (702) + אֲשֶׁ֖ר [that] (501) + סְבִיב֣וֹת [round·about] (480) + יְהוּדָ֑ה [Judah] (30) + וְלֹ֥א [and·not] (37) + נִלְחֲמ֖וּ [they·fought] (134) + עִם־יְהוֹשָׁפָֽט [with·Jehoshaphat] (520) = 3239.
Rashi
And the fear of the Lord was upon all the kingdoms of the lands in the merit of having studied Torah.
Malbim
And a terror from Hashem fell upon all the kingdoms - Through this, Hashem placed fear upon all the kingdoms, and they were afraid to wage war against him; and the Philistines and the Arabians brought him tribute. (One may explain this to mean that the fear which they, [Judah], had of Hashem spread over the surrounding lands, so that through this, those lands feared them.)
And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats.
verse value 7143
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 99 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (לוֹ֙) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "also" (גַּ֣ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·from·Philistines" (וּמִן־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 772: seven, seven. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·from·Philistines" (וּמִן־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים), "the·Arabians" (הָעַרְבִיאִ֗ים), "and·he-goats" (וּתְיָשִׁ֕ים). The root שבע appears 4 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "bringing" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 62x in II Chronicles); "hundred" (root מאה, 57x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root משא ("tribute") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root ערבי ("the·Arabians") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'tribute', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 15 words.
Rashi
and loads of silver - Heb. וְכֶסֶף מַשָּׂא, loads of silver. An example (Isa. 46:1): “נְשֻׂאתֵיכֶם עֲמוּסוֹת מַשָּׂא: the things that you carried are made a load.”
Metzudat David
and silver for tribute – A great quantity of silver, whose load was heavy. flocks – This includes both rams and he-goats; [Scripture] states the general term first and afterward specifies.
And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store.
verse value 2428
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 51 letters. The shortest word is "going" (הֹלֵ֥ךְ, 3 letters) and the longest is "unto·upward" (עַד־לְמָ֑עְלָה, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·growing" (וְגָדֵ֖ל), "and·cities·of" (וְעָרֵ֥י), "store" (מִסְכְּנֽוֹת). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "in·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles); "and·cities·of" (root עיר, 89x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'unto·upward', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַיְהִ֧י [and·he·was] (31) + יְהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט [Jehoshaphat] (410) + הֹלֵ֥ךְ [going] (55) + וְגָדֵ֖ל [and·growing] (43) + עַד־לְמָ֑עְלָה [unto·upward] (249) + וַיִּ֧בֶן [and·he·built] (68) + בִּיהוּדָ֛ה [in·Judah] (32) + בִּירָנִיּ֖וֹת [fortresses] (678) + וְעָרֵ֥י [and·cities·of] (286) + מִסְכְּנֽוֹת [store] (576) = 2428.
Rashi
was becoming greater - Heb. וְגָדֵל. Scripture uses] a similar expression in reference to three people: Isaac, Samuel, and Jehoshaphat, but concerning Moses, David, and Mordecai, it says וְגָדוֹל. Concerning Isaac, Samuel, and Jehoshaphat, it says, וְגָדֵל because it is not proper to say וְגָדוֹל, great [in the context in which the word appears in the verse]. In regards to Samuel, it says, (I Sam. 2: 21): “And the lad Samuel grew up with the Lord.” God forbid that it should say, גָדוֹל עִם ה', he was great with the Lord. Here too, he [Jehoshaphat] became great to an unusual degree, גָדֵל עַד לְמָעְלָה. It is therefore improper to say וְגָדוֹל, great. The same applies to Isaac. towers בִּירָנִיוֹת, derived from בִּירָה, huge towers for strength. and store cities storage cities, to put in them wheat, wine and grain.
Ralbag
castles and cities of store — meaning, towers and storehouse cities.
Metzudat David
waxed great exceedingly – Until he rose higher and higher.
Metzudat Zion
Castles — Palaces, as in 'for the palace is not for man' (I Chronicles 29). Store — Storehouses.
Malbim
And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly - Through this he continued to grow greater and greater, to the utmost degree, until he built fortresses - that is, great cities - and store-cities. Now whereas a weak king builds his buildings and store-cities close to his own royal city, and stations his soldiers in the border cities, Jehoshaphat did the opposite: he built these buildings in the cities of Judah at large, so that there was extensive building activity there, while his soldiers were stationed in Jerusalem.
And he had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.
verse value 2024
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 48 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (ל֖וֹ) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֖וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·Jerusalem" (בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·work" (וּמְלָאכָ֥ה), "and·men·of" (וְאַנְשֵׁ֧י). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles); "in·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: וּמְלָאכָ֥ה [and·work] (102) + רַבָּ֛ה [much] (207) + הָ֥יָה [was] (20) + ל֖וֹ [to·him] (36) + בְּעָרֵ֣י [in·cities·of] (282) + יְהוּדָ֑ה [Judah] (30) + וְאַנְשֵׁ֧י [and·men·of] (367) + מִלְחָמָ֛ה [war] (123) + גִּבּ֥וֹרֵי [mighty·of] (221) + חַ֖יִל [valor] (48) + בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם [in·Jerusalem] (588) = 2024.
Metzudat David
And he had many works – This refers to the various craftsmen, workers in carving and skilled design.
And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand;
verse value 4516
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 63 letters. The shortest word is "captains·of" (שָׂרֵ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "their·fathers" (אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "Adnah" (עַדְנָ֣ה). The root שר appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "and·with·him" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "to·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root פקדה ("their·numbering") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'their·fathers', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 11 words.
Ralbag
And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses — This is told to point out how the kingdom of Judah increased and multiplied because they walked in the ways of Hashem, may He be blessed. For in the days of Abijah there were only four hundred men who drew the sword, whereas in the days of Jehoshaphat there were a million, one hundred and sixty thousand mighty men of valor - a vast number - besides the mighty men whom the king stationed in the fortified cities throughout the land of Judah to guard them.
Metzudat David
And this was the numbering of them – This number was their count, according to the number of their fathers' houses. the captains of thousands – The officers who were over a group of a thousand.
Malbim
According to their fathers' houses - For there were three ancestral houses in Judah - Perez, Zerah, and Shelah - and corresponding to them they had three heads.
and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand;
verse value 1936
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 34 letters. Verse gematria: 1936 = 44². The shortest word is "the·captain" (הַשָּׂ֑ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·eighty" (וּשְׁמוֹנִ֖ים, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "Jehohanan" (יְהוֹחָנָ֣ן). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·with·him" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "and·upon·his·hand" (root יד, 72x in II Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 62x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·captain', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְעַל־יָד֖וֹ [and·upon·his·hand] (126) + יְהוֹחָנָ֣ן [Jehohanan] (129) + הַשָּׂ֑ר [the·captain] (505) + וְעִמּ֕וֹ [and·with·him] (122) + מָאתַ֥יִם [two·hundred] (491) + וּשְׁמוֹנִ֖ים [and·eighty] (452) + אָֽלֶף [thousand] (111) = 1936.
Metzudat David
and next to him – Adjacent to him in rank, following him.
and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Hashem, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor;
verse value 2140
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 47 letters. The shortest word is "thousand" (אֶ֖לֶף, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·upon·his·hand" (וְעַל־יָדוֹ֙, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "Amasiah" (עֲמַסְיָ֣ה), "the·volunteering" (הַמִּתְנַדֵּ֖ב). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "son·of·Zichri" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "and·with·him" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְעַל־יָדוֹ֙ [and·upon·his·hand] (126) + עֲמַסְיָ֣ה [Amasiah] (185) + בֶן־זִכְרִ֔י [son·of·Zichri] (289) + הַמִּתְנַדֵּ֖ב [the·volunteering] (501) + לַיהֹוָ֑ה [to·Hashem] (56) + וְעִמּ֛וֹ [and·with·him] (122) + מָאתַ֥יִם [two·hundred] (491) + אֶ֖לֶף [thousand] (111) + גִּבּ֥וֹר [mighty·of] (211) + חָֽיִל [valor] (48) = 2140.
Rashi
And beside him Heb. וְעַל יָדוֹ beside him; an example is (II Sam. 14:30): “Joab’s field is adjoining mine (אֶל יָדִי).” who gave generously to the Lord - Heb. הַמִּתְנַדֵּב. An example is (Jud. 5:2) “when the people offer themselves willingly (בְּהִתְנַדֵּב עַם), bless the Lord”
Metzudat David
who willingly offered himself to Hashem – It was his practice to give many voluntary offerings to Hashem. mighty men of valor – That is to say, each one of them was a mighty man of valor.
and of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;
verse value 2705
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 43 letters. The shortest word is "valor" (חַ֖יִל, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·from·Benjamin" (וּמִ֨ן־בִּנְיָמִ֔ן, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·from·Benjamin" (וּמִ֨ן־בִּנְיָמִ֔ן), "Eliada" (אֶלְיָדָ֑ע), "armed·with·bow" (נֹשְׁקֵי־קֶ֥שֶׁת). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·with·him" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 62x in II Chronicles); "two·hundred" (root מאה, 57x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Eliada', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 5 words. Full calculation: וּמִ֨ן־בִּנְיָמִ֔ן [and·from·Benjamin] (248) + גִּבּ֥וֹר [mighty·of] (211) + חַ֖יִל [valor] (48) + אֶלְיָדָ֑ע [Eliada] (115) + וְעִמּ֛וֹ [and·with·him] (122) + נֹשְׁקֵי־קֶ֥שֶׁת [armed·with·bow] (1260) + וּמָגֵ֖ן [and·shield] (99) + מָאתַ֥יִם [two·hundred] (491) + אָֽלֶף [thousand] (111) = 2705.
and next to him Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war.
verse value 1128
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 37 letters. The shortest word is "thousand" (אֶ֖לֶף, 3 letters) and the longest is "hundred·and·eighty" (מֵאָה־וּשְׁמוֹנִ֥ים, 10 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "Jehozabad" (יְהוֹזָבָ֑ד), "hundred·and·eighty" (מֵאָה־וּשְׁמוֹנִ֥ים), "armed·of" (חֲלוּצֵ֥י). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·with·him" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "and·upon·his·hand" (root יד, 72x in II Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 62x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root צבא ("war") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Jehozabad', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְעַל־יָד֖וֹ [and·upon·his·hand] (126) + יְהוֹזָבָ֑ד [Jehozabad] (34) + וְעִמּ֛וֹ [and·with·him] (122) + מֵאָה־וּשְׁמוֹנִ֥ים [hundred·and·eighty] (498) + אֶ֖לֶף [thousand] (111) + חֲלוּצֵ֥י [armed·of] (144) + צָבָֽא [war] (93) = 1128.
Metzudat Zion
Ready prepared for war — Equipped to go out with the army of war.
These were they who waited on the king beside those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
verse value 3400
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 47 letters. Notable word values: "these" (אֵ֖לֶּה) = 36, double chai. Verse gematria: 3400 is divisible by 50, the years to the Jubilee (yovel). The shortest word is "these" (אֵ֖לֶּה, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·all·Judah" (בְּכׇל־יְהוּדָֽה, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·ministers" (הַמְשָׁרְתִ֣ים), "the·fortification" (הַמִּבְצָ֖ר). The root מלך appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "that·he·put" (root נתן, 116x in II Chronicles); "in·all·Judah" (root כל, 113x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·king', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 6 words. Full calculation: אֵ֖לֶּה [these] (36) + הַמְשָׁרְתִ֣ים [the·ministers] (995) + אֶת־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ [the·king] (496) + מִלְּבַ֞ד [beside] (76) + אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן [that·he·put] (1001) + הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + בְּעָרֵ֥י [in·cities·of] (282) + הַמִּבְצָ֖ר [the·fortification] (337) + בְּכׇל־יְהוּדָֽה [in·all·Judah] (82) = 3400.
Metzudat David
who waited on the king – Who were with him continually in Jerusalem.
Metzudat David
Malbim