Moab, Ammon, and Seir come as a great multitude, and Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast and stands in the new court to pray: 'O our God, will You not execute judgment on them? for we have no might against this great multitude that comes against us; neither do we know what to do; but our eyes are upon You.' The answer through Jahaziel: 'You shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of Hashem.' Singers go out ahead of the army praising 'for His mercy endures for ever' — and the enemies destroy one another. The valley is named Beracah: blessing.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
And it came to pass after this, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
verse value 1759
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 55 letters. The shortest word is "they·came" (בָּ֣אוּ, 3 letters) and the longest is "from·the·Ammonites" (מֵהָעַמּוֹנִ֛ים, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "sons·of·Moab" (בְנֵי־מוֹאָב֩), "from·the·Ammonites" (מֵהָעַמּוֹנִ֛ים). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·sons·of" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "they·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "and·with·them" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root מואב ("sons·of·Moab") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root עמון ("Ammon") in II Chronicles. Full calculation: וַיְהִ֣י [and·it·came·to·pass] (31) + אַחֲרֵי־כֵ֡ן [after·thus] (289) + בָּ֣אוּ [they·came] (9) + בְנֵי־מוֹאָב֩ [sons·of·Moab] (111) + וּבְנֵ֨י [and·sons·of] (68) + עַמּ֜וֹן [Ammon] (166) + וְעִמָּהֶ֧ם [and·with·them] (161) + מֵהָעַמּוֹנִ֛ים [from·the·Ammonites] (261) + עַל־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט [against·Jehoshaphat] (510) + לַמִּלְחָמָֽה [to·the·battle] (153) = 1759.
Rashi
and with them, some of the Ammonites This is Amalek. Why were they called Ammonites? Because they changed their dress and their language to resemble that of the Ammonites and mingled with them, and came to wage war against Israel. This can be proven below in the chapter (verse 22): “And at the time they commenced, etc. the Lord placed liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir.” We find that the Ammonites mentioned here are Amalekites who changed their tongue and their dress. This is what the Kallir set down in the section of Zachor: Remember the tyrant who hid among the Ammonites; he breached the vineyards of Ein-Gedi when he was brought, i.e., remember what Amalekite the tyrant did - he hid among the Ammonites and came to breach the vineyards of Israel at that time, as it is written: “and behold they are in Hazazon-Tamar which is Ein-Gedi,” and Ein-Gedi is close to the territory of Amalek, as is stated in (Gen. 14:7): “and they struck down the whole field of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwell in Hazazon- Tamar.”
Metzudat David
'Some of the Ammonites' – [This is] the name of a nation, called after its territory; so too it says, ‘And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah’ (below, 26:8). Perhaps it is a transposition of ‘the Meunites’ mentioned there [just before, in verse 7]. And the Midrash says that they were Amalekites, [the same as] the ‘sons of Seir’ mentioned below (v. 10), and Scripture calls them Ammonites because they disguised themselves and wore the garments of Ammonites so that the Israelites would not recognize them — for all the descendants of Edom were, in general, under the dominion of Judah, until they rebelled in the days of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat.
Malbim
some of the Ammonites - It is explained further on that they were among those who dwelt on Mount Seir, and it must be said that Ammonites were dwelling there at that time.
Then there came some who told Jehoshaphat, saying: ‘There comes a great multitude against you from beyond the sea from Aram; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar’—the same is En-gedi.
verse value 3034
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 67 letters. The shortest word is "coming" (בָּ֣א, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Jehoshaphat" (לִיהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 130: against·you, En-. 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·told" (וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ), "from·beyond" (מֵעֵ֥בֶר), "to·the·sea" (לַיָּ֖ם). The root בוא appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "saying" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "and·they·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "against·you" (root על, 111x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·Aram', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 6 words.
Rashi
the same is Ein-Gedi i.e., They said to him, “They have already come so close to us.”
Metzudat David
'From beyond the sea' – That is, the Dead Sea. 'From Aram' – On their way, they passed through Aram. 'And, behold, they are' – They are now in Hazazon-tamar.
Malbim
from beyond the sea from Aram - Aram is in the north, but these came from the south of the Land of Israel; it is only that the one who brought the report did not know which nations they were, and assumed they were from Aram.
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek Hashem; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
verse value 2869
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 47 letters. The shortest word is "and·he·feared" (וַיִּרָ֕א, 4 letters) and the longest is "throughout·all·Judah" (עַל־כׇּל־יְהוּדָֽה, 9 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·called·fast" (וַיִּקְרָא־צ֖וֹם), "throughout·all·Judah" (עַל־כׇּל־יְהוּדָֽה). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "throughout·all·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles); "and·he·gave" (root נתן, 116x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַיִּרָ֕א [and·he·feared] (217) + וַיִּתֵּ֧ן [and·he·gave] (466) + יְהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט [Jehoshaphat] (410) + אֶת־פָּנָ֖יו [his·face] (547) + לִדְר֣וֹשׁ [to·seek] (540) + לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה [to·Hashem] (56) + וַיִּקְרָא־צ֖וֹם [and·he·called·fast] (453) + עַל־כׇּל־יְהוּדָֽה [throughout·all·Judah] (180) = 2869.
Metzudat David
'Set himself [to seek Hashem]' – That is, he placed his trust in seeking Hashem.
And Judah gathered themselves together, to seek help of Hashem; even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Hashem.
verse value 2053
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 46 letters. The shortest word is "also" (גַּ֚ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·they·gathered" (וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 432: to·seek, to·seek. The root יהודה appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "from·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "they·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ [and·they·gathered] (214) + יְהוּדָ֔ה [Judah] (30) + לְבַקֵּ֖שׁ [to·seek] (432) + מֵיְהֹוָ֑ה [from·Hashem] (66) + גַּ֚ם [also] (43) + מִכׇּל־עָרֵ֣י [from·all·cities·of] (370) + יְהוּדָ֔ה [Judah] (30) + בָּ֖אוּ [they·came] (9) + לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ [to·seek] (432) + אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (427) = 2053.
Rashi
also from all the cities of Judah That you should not say, when it is stated initially, “And the Judeans gathered to seek,” that these were the inhabitants of Jerusalem only, but they came from all the cities of Judah.
Metzudat David
'And Judah gathered themselves together' – From [among] the inhabitants of Jerusalem [as well].
Malbim
even out of all the cities of Judah - this includes the cities [taken] from Ephraim, which were now under the kingdom of Judah.
And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Hashem, before the new court;
verse value 2534
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 48 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "in·assembly·of" (בִּקְהַ֧ל, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·Jerusalem" (וִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·new" (הַחֲדָשָֽׁה). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "in·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיַּעֲמֹ֣ד [and·he·stood] (130) + יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט [Jehoshaphat] (410) + בִּקְהַ֧ל [in·assembly·of] (137) + יְהוּדָ֛ה [Judah] (30) + וִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם [and·Jerusalem] (592) + בְּבֵ֣ית [in·house·of] (414) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + לִפְנֵ֖י [before] (170) + הֶחָצֵ֥ר [the·court] (303) + הַחֲדָשָֽׁה [the·new] (322) = 2534.
Ralbag
'And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah' — From this passage we learn that the term “congregation” (kahal) can be said of a single tribe. And from this passage we also learn that in the case of the bull brought for an unwitting sin of the community, each and every tribe must bring its own offering, for it is stated, ‘and the congregation shall offer’ (Leviticus 4:14) — and each and every tribe among them is called a “congregation.”
Metzudat David
'The new court' – Perhaps they had repaired it and renewed the structure.
and he said: ‘O Hashem, the God of our fathers, are You not alone God in heaven? and are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in Your hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand You.
verse value 4196
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 86 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֞ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "strength" (כֹּ֣חַ, 2 letters) and the longest is "our·fathers" (אֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "You·He" (אַתָּה־ה֤וּא), "and·might" (וּגְבוּרָ֔ה), "to·stand" (לְהִתְיַצֵּֽב). The root אלהים appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·nations', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 6 words.
Rashi
and that You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations and in Your hand is strength and might to conduct Your rule over them; therefore, we beseech You to save us from them. and in Your hand is strength and might in wars and might, hardiess in French, boldness. and no one can stand with You No creature can stand against You of all the kingdoms of the nations, and an example of this is (Josh. 1:5): “No man shall stand before You.” (Rabbi Menahem the son of Helbo explained it in this manner.)
Metzudat David
'So that none is able to withstand You' – There is no one who can stand up and oppose You.
Malbim
are You not - Meaning: it is impossible that You should abandon us - not through lack of ability, not through a change of will, and not through lack of knowledge. And first he speaks against [the possibility of] lack of ability: one cannot say that the guiding star of these nations and the power of their heavenly minister is too strong for You to overcome, for "You alone are God in heaven." Nor can they prevail by virtue of their strength on earth, for "You are ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations." Nor can they prevail by virtue of their might, for "in Your hand is power and might" - for power is found in the hand of no being at all except in Your hand, so that all might and power is but an emanation and outflow from Your own power, as it is written (I Chronicles 29:12), "and in Your hand is power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great, and to give strength to all." And if so, "none is able to withstand You" - it is impossible for anyone to stand against You, for You have no need to overpower him; You need only withhold from him, for a single moment, the flow of power and might, and he would be as nothing.
Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham Your friend for ever?
verse value 5388
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 67 letters. Notable word values: "is·not" (הֲלֹ֣א) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "is·not" (הֲלֹ֣א, 3 letters) and the longest is "our·God" (אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "You·drove·out" (הוֹרַ֙שְׁתָּ֙), "and·You·gave·it" (וַֽתִּתְּנָ֗הּ), "to·seed·of" (לְזֶ֛רַע). 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "our·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "Your·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "Israel" (root ישראל, 140x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root ירש ("You·drove·out") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 5 words.
Rashi
and given it to the seed of Abraham Therefore, it is incumbent upon You to preserve it in their hands and to drive these peoples out. Even a flesh and blood king, and even an ordinary man, when he gives a present to his friend and someone comes to rob him of it, he exerts himself to preserve it in his hand. How much more so [should] You [do so]! Perhaps You will say, “I gave it to them only temporarily.” Therefore, it says, “forever.” You gave it to us for an eternal inheritance.
Metzudat David
'Drive out' – You expelled them. 'And give it...for ever' – ‘Forever,’ as if to say: it is the way of one who gives a gift in perpetuity to help the recipient retain possession of it.
Malbim
Did You not - Nor [can it be said that You would abandon us] through a change of will: for did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land from before Your people Israel? And had You wanted other nations to dwell there, why, they were already there - why then did You drive them out? And You surely do not change; and if You drove out nations for the sake of Israel, how much more so that You would not plant another nation there after having driven them [the nations] out. Nor can one say that Israel merited this then on account of their deeds, and that now their deeds have changed and so the will [to give them the land] has changed - for did You not "give it to the seed of Abraham Your friend for ever"? The giving [of the land] was not, at that time, on account of Israel's deeds, for the gift had already been promised to Abraham, to give it to his seed without regard to deeds; and if so, the gift was for all time, and it is impossible that this will should ever change.
And they dwelt there, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying:
verse value 1567
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 28 letters. The shortest word is "to·You" (לְךָ֧, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·they·dwelt·in·it" (וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ־בָ֑הּ, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·dwelt·in·it" (וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ־בָ֑הּ), "sanctuary" (מִקְדָּ֖שׁ). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "saying" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "for·Your·name" (root שם, 63x in II Chronicles); "and·they·built" (root בנה, 60x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root מקדש ("sanctuary") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·they·dwelt·in·it', dividing the verse into phrases of 1 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ־בָ֑הּ [and·they·dwelt·in·it] (331) + וַיִּבְנ֨וּ [and·they·built] (74) + לְךָ֧ [to·You] (50) + בָּ֛הּ [in·her] (7) + מִקְדָּ֖שׁ [sanctuary] (444) + לְשִׁמְךָ֥ [for·Your·name] (390) + לֵאמֹֽר [saying] (271) = 1567.
Rashi
and therein they built You a Sanctuary for Your name, saying that “should evil come upon us, etc.” judgment or any judgment, whether sword, pestilence, or famine.
Metzudat David
'Saying' – That is, for they said that through it they would be saved, as stated in the next verse.
Malbim
And they dwelt there - Nor is it possible that they should prevail through any lack of [divine] providence, for once they settled there, they built You a sanctuary in which You would dwell among them; and this served Your great name, that it be sanctified through it, when [the nations] would see that You watch over and save [Your people] - saying:
If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before You—for Your name is in this house—and cry to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.
verse value 6464
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 89 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֥י, 2 letters) and the longest is "if·it·shall·come" (אִם־תָּב֨וֹא, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 17: this, this. 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "if·it·shall·come" (אִם־תָּב֨וֹא), "sword" (חֶ֘רֶב֮), "judgment" (שְׁפוֹט֮). The root פנים appears 2 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·house" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "if·it·shall·come" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "for" (root כי, 131x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'this', dividing the verse into phrases of 16 and 5 words.
Rashi
and we shall cry out to You from our distress in the Temple. and You will hear and save as Solomon prayed before You, and You promised him to do so, as is written (above 6:24): “And if Your people is struck down,” continuing with the entire chapter until (verse 30): “and forgive and give to each man according to his ways.” And the Lord accepted his prayer, as it is written (ibid. 7:12): “And the Lord appeared to Solomon, and said to him: I have heard your prayer,” continuing with the entire chapter until (ibid. verse 14) “and forgive their sin and heal their land.” Now I pray that You remember the promise which You promised him, and hear and save us from our enemies who are coming upon us.
Ralbag
'If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment,' etc. — This has already been explained in connection with the prayer of Solomon the son of David that was mentioned earlier, after the building of the Temple.
Metzudat David
'Judgment' – A judgment of retribution. 'And before You' – That is, will not that [punishment] be right there before You, since Your name is in this house?
Malbim
If evil come upon us... we will stand before this house - and thereby we will stand before You, since Your name is in this house, and so Your Presence and Your providence rest upon us through the Temple; and so too You are ready to save through prayer at the Temple (as Solomon said in his prayer). And that is the meaning of "and cry to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save."
And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom You would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and did not destroy them;
verse value 5348
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 82 letters. The shortest word is "but" (כִּ֛י, 2 letters) and the longest is "sons·of·Ammon" (בְנֵי־עַמּ֨וֹן, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "not·You·gave" (לֹֽא־נָתַ֤תָּה), "when·they·came" (בְּבֹאָ֖ם), "they·destroyed·them" (הִשְׁמִידֽוּם). The root בוא appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "to·come" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "to·Israel" (root ישראל, 140x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root שמד ("they·destroyed·them") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Egypt', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 5 words.
Rashi
And now about all that You promised us to save us from our enemies who are coming upon us. behold the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, against whom You did not permit Israel to come to wage war. when they came out of the land of Egypt and they should have remembered the kindness [we performed] and come to our aid, but they - not only did they not remember our kindness, to be with us in all our troubles, but they repayed us with evil and attacked us.
Ralbag
'Whom You would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt' — Hashem, may He be blessed, had already warned, ‘Be not at enmity with Moab, neither contend with them in battle’ (Deuteronomy 2:9); and there He likewise warned regarding Ammon and the children of Seir. For this reason Israel turned aside from them and did not destroy them.
Metzudat David
'Invade' – [i.e.,] to take possession of their land.
Malbim
And now - Meaning: and one should not say that these nations come against us with justice on their side. Therefore he says: are these not the children of Ammon and Moab and Seir, from whose border Israel turned aside when they entered the land, because Hashem had said that their land (which they had conquered from the giants whom Hashem had driven out before them) was given to them, and Israel had no inheritance there?
behold, they render to us evil, to come to cast us out of Your possession, which You have given us to inherit.
verse value 3466
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 42 letters. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֥ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "You·gave·us·to·inherit" (הוֹרַשְׁתָּֽנוּ, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·behold·they" (וְהִ֨נֵּה־הֵ֔ם), "rendering" (גֹּמְלִ֖ים), "to·cast·us·out" (לְגָ֣רְשֵׁ֔נוּ). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "to·come" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "against·us" (root על, 111x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'against·us', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְהִ֨נֵּה־הֵ֔ם [and·behold·they] (111) + גֹּמְלִ֖ים [rendering] (123) + עָלֵ֑ינוּ [against·us] (166) + לָבוֹא֙ [to·come] (39) + לְגָ֣רְשֵׁ֔נוּ [to·cast·us·out] (589) + מִיְּרֻשָּׁתְךָ֖ [from·Your·possession] (970) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + הוֹרַשְׁתָּֽנוּ [You·gave·us·to·inherit] (967) = 3466.
Rashi
to drive us out of Your inheritance, which You caused us to inherit You Yourself. Therefore, on what basis can they contest our inheritance?
Metzudat David
'Behold, they render to us [evil]' – That is, see the recompense they are paying us — to drive us out, etc. Is this the fitting reward [for what we did for them]?
Metzudat Zion
Render — This means the paying back of a reward. Given us to inherit — A form of the word 'inheritance.'
Malbim
behold - and how could this be their repayment to us in return - to come and cast us out of our inheritance? And so we ask for judgment against this injustice.
O our God, will You not execute judgment on them? for we have no might against this great multitude that comes against us; neither do we know what to do; but our eyes are upon You.’
verse value 2922
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 77 letters. Notable word values: "not" (הֲלֹ֣א) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "our·God" (אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 30: for, but. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "You·shall·judge·in·them" (תִשְׁפׇּט־בָּ֔ם), "we·know" (נֵדַע֙), "what·we·shall·do" (מַֽה־נַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה). The root לא appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "our·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "the·one·who·comes" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "what·we·shall·do" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'against·us', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 7 words.
Rashi
but our eyes are upon You to save us.
Metzudat David
'What to do' – To be saved from their hand. 'But our eyes are upon You' – Rather, our eyes are upon You, to save us from their hand.
Malbim
O our God, will You not execute judgment on them - And one should not say that we ourselves will muster counsel and might for war: for we have no might, since we have no strength before this great multitude; nor do we have counsel, for we do not know what to do; rather, our eyes are upon You alone.
And all Judah stood before Hashem, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
verse value 1136
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 37 letters. Notable word values: "and·all·Judah" (וְכׇ֨ל־יְהוּדָ֔ה) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "before" (לִפְנֵ֣י, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·all·Judah" (וְכׇ֨ל־יְהוּדָ֔ה, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "also·their·little·ones" (גַּם־טַפָּ֖ם). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·their·children" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "before" (root פנים, 116x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְכׇ֨ל־יְהוּדָ֔ה [and·all·Judah] (86) + עֹמְדִ֖ים [standing] (164) + לִפְנֵ֣י [before] (170) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + גַּם־טַפָּ֖ם [also·their·little·ones] (172) + נְשֵׁיהֶ֥ם [their·wives] (405) + וּבְנֵיהֶֽם [and·their·children] (113) = 1136.
Rashi
also their infants It is customary that when troops attack a country, the infants, wives, and children flee the villages to the fortified cities.
Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the spirit of Hashem in the midst of the congregation;
verse value 2909
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 70 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "Asaph" (אָסָ֑ף, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Zechariah" (בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֡הוּ, 8 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·Jahaziel" (וְיַחֲזִיאֵ֡ל), "son·of·Zechariah" (בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֡הוּ), "son·of·Benaiah" (בֶּן־בְּ֠נָיָ֠ה). The root בן appears 5 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "son·of·Zechariah" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Asaph', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְיַחֲזִיאֵ֡ל [and·Jahaziel] (72) + בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֡הוּ [son·of·Zechariah] (300) + בֶּן־בְּ֠נָיָ֠ה [son·of·Benaiah] (119) + בֶּן־יְעִיאֵ֧ל [son·of·Jeiel] (173) + בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָ֛ה [son·of·Mattaniah] (557) + הַלֵּוִ֖י [the·Levite] (51) + מִן־בְּנֵ֣י [from·sons·of] (152) + אָסָ֑ף [Asaph] (141) + הָיְתָ֤ה [was] (420) + עָלָיו֙ [upon·him] (116) + ר֣וּחַ [spirit·of] (214) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + בְּת֖וֹךְ [in·midst·of] (428) + הַקָּהָֽל [the·congregation] (140) = 2909.
Metzudat David
'In the midst of the congregation' – While he stood in the midst of the congregation.
and he said: ‘Hearken you, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat: thus says Hashem to you: Fear not you, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
verse value 5442
Insights
Verse structure: 23 words, 105 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֜ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·Judah" (כׇל־יְהוּדָה֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 90: to·you, to·you. The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "to·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root חתת ("and·do·not·be·dismayed") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Jehoshaphat', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 16 words.
Rashi
You shall not fear, neither shall you be dismayed This refers back to what they said, (verse 12) “we have no strength before this multitude.” The prophet said to them, “Although they outnumber you, do not fear them.” for the war is not yours but God’s This refers back to (verse 12) “and we do not know,” and the prophet replied, “It is surely as you have said, that your eyes and your trust are upon the Holy One, blessed be He, to save you.” So will He do, for the war is not yours but God’s.
Metzudat David
'For the battle is not yours' – You need not fight them, for Hashem will fight for you.
Metzudat Zion
Dismayed — This means fear and being broken.
Malbim
Fear not, neither be dismayed - "dismay" (chittah) is a lowering of spirit that comes from seeing oneself as weak against one's opponent, even where one is not actually afraid of being harmed by him. That is: do not fear that they will harm you, and do not be dismayed by thinking that you are weak against them and unable to do them harm. for the battle is not yours, but God's - This also means to say that they are not really fighting against you, but against God (as is stated in Psalms ch. 83, which was composed about this event: "for they have consulted together with one heart; against You do they make a covenant," Psalms 83:6); and if so, Hashem too will fight against them.
Tomorrow go you down against them; behold, they come up by the ascent of Ziz; and you shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
verse value 3092
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 56 letters. The shortest word is "tomorrow" (מָחָר֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·you·shall·find" (וּמְצָאתֶ֤ם, 6 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "go·down" (רְד֣וּ), "Ziz" (הַצִּ֑יץ), "and·you·shall·find" (וּמְצָאתֶ֤ם). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "before" (root פנים, 116x in II Chronicles); "against·them" (root על, 111x in II Chronicles); "coming·up" (root עלה, 83x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Ziz', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 7 words. Full calculation: מָחָר֙ [tomorrow] (248) + רְד֣וּ [go·down] (210) + עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם [against·them] (155) + הִנָּ֥ם [behold·they] (95) + עֹלִ֖ים [coming·up] (150) + בְּמַעֲלֵ֣ה [in·ascent·of] (147) + הַצִּ֑יץ [Ziz] (195) + וּמְצָאתֶ֤ם [and·you·shall·find] (577) + אֹתָם֙ [them] (441) + בְּס֣וֹף [in·end·of] (148) + הַנַּ֔חַל [the·valley] (93) + פְּנֵ֖י [before] (140) + מִדְבַּ֥ר [wilderness·of] (246) + יְרוּאֵֽל [Jeruel] (247) = 3092.
Rashi
on the ascent to Haziz the name of a place.
Metzudat David
'Behold, they come up by the ascent of Ziz' – They are now coming up through the pass by which one ascends to Ziz, which is the name of a place. 'And you shall find them' – Tomorrow you will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel; and he gave them this sign so that their hearts would be strengthened.
Malbim
behold, they come up - now, at this very moment. and you shall find them - at the time when you encounter them.
You shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of Hashem with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them; for Hashem is with you.’
verse value 5756
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 90 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֨ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֥א, 2 letters) and the longest is "salvation·of" (אֶת־יְשׁוּעַת֩, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 170: with·you, with·you. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·this" (בָּזֹ֑את), "stand" (עִמְד֡וּ), "and·see" (וּרְא֣וּ). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "with·you" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·this', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 15 words.
Rashi
set yourself This refers back to (verse 15) “for the war is not yours.” and see the salvation of the Lord This refers back to the above: “Have You, our God, not caused us to inherit (sic)?” And the Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, “You are right. It is up to Me to preserve it in your hands.” Tomorrow go forth before them and I shall wage war on your behalf. And they believed, and hurried, and arose early in the morning.
Metzudat David
'In this battle' – [i.e.,] in this [coming] battle. 'Set yourselves' – Stand firm and do not engage them in battle; and to stress the point, the matter is stated twice.
Malbim
You shall not need [to fight] - Meaning: as for what I said, "tomorrow go down against them," do not think that you go down in order to fight - that is not so; rather, first take your stand firmly ("set yourselves"), and only afterward "stand still" - for you need not exert any strength, only to stand and watch (as I have written several times elsewhere on the difference between "setting oneself" and "standing") "the salvation of Hashem." And as for what I said, "tomorrow go down against them" - this means only that tomorrow you should go out before them without doing anything at all, for Hashem is with you, and He will act.
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Hashem, worshipping Hashem.
verse value 3524
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 61 letters. Notable word values: "and·all·Judah" (וְכׇל־יְהוּדָ֞ה) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "and·he·bowed·down" (וַיִּקֹּ֧ד, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·all·Judah" (וְכׇל־יְהוּדָ֞ה, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·bowed·down" (וַיִּקֹּ֧ד), "to·worship" (לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֖ת). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles); "before" (root פנים, 116x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·ground', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 8 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקֹּ֧ד [and·he·bowed·down] (120) + יְהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט [Jehoshaphat] (410) + אַפַּ֖יִם [face] (131) + אָ֑רְצָה [to·the·ground] (296) + וְכׇל־יְהוּדָ֞ה [and·all·Judah] (86) + וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י [and·inhabitants·of] (328) + יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם [Jerusalem] (586) + נָֽפְלוּ֙ [fell·down] (166) + לִפְנֵ֣י [before] (170) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֖ת [to·worship] (1149) + לַיהֹוָֽה [to·Hashem] (56) = 3524.
Metzudat David
'And Jehoshaphat bowed his head' – He bent his head down and prostrated himself, face to the ground, before Hashem.
And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Hashem, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.
verse value 2580
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 64 letters. Verse gematria: 2580 is divisible by 86, the value of Elohim. The shortest word is "to·praise" (לְהַלֵּ֗ל, 4 letters) and the longest is "the·Kohathites" (הַקְּהָתִ֖ים, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·Korahites" (הַקׇּרְחִ֑ים). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "from·the·sons·of" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root קהתי ("the·Kohathites") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Korahites', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 7 words. Full calculation: וַיָּקֻ֧מוּ [and·they·arose] (162) + הַלְוִיִּ֛ם [the·Levites] (91) + מִן־בְּנֵ֥י [from·the·sons·of] (152) + הַקְּהָתִ֖ים [the·Kohathites] (560) + וּמִן־בְּנֵ֣י [and·from·the·sons·of] (158) + הַקׇּרְחִ֑ים [the·Korahites] (363) + לְהַלֵּ֗ל [to·praise] (95) + לַֽיהֹוָה֙ [to·Hashem] (56) + אֱלֹהֵ֣י [the·God·of] (46) + יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל [Israel] (541) + בְּק֥וֹל [in·voice] (138) + גָּד֖וֹל [great] (43) + לְמָֽעְלָה [exceedingly] (175) = 2580.
Metzudat David
'To praise Hashem' – Over the good tidings of salvation. 'Exceeding [loud]' – That is, very great.
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said: ‘Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem; believe in Hashem your God, so shall you be established; believe His prophets, so shall you prosper.’
verse value 5498
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 110 letters. The shortest word is "he·stood" (עָמַ֣ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·they·rose·early" (וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 112: believe, believe. 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·rose·early" (וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ), "in·the·morning" (בַבֹּ֔קֶר), "and·they·went·forth" (וַיֵּצְא֖וּ). The root אמן appears 3 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "your·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Tekoa', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 15 words.
Rashi
and you will be believed Heb. וְתֵאָמֵנוּ. You will be trustworthy and prosper. An example is (Isa. 7: 9) “for you cannot be believed (לֹא תֵאָמֵנוּ).”
Ralbag
'Believe in Hashem your God, so shall you be established' — that is to say: believe in the promises of Hashem, may He be blessed, and you will stand firm and secure, and let no doubt enter your hearts regarding the matter of the prophecy — the fear that perhaps, on account of sin, this good that was promised might yet be withdrawn.
Metzudat David
'So shall you be established' – [The root here means] endure, as in ‘and the stability of your times shall be’ (Isaiah 33:6).
Malbim
believe in Hashem - As opposed to the fact that ordinarily counsel and might are needed for war - regarding the "might," whose purpose is to strengthen the heart of the people, he says: you do not need might and encouragement, only "believe in Hashem," and by this "you shall be established" - He will be faithful to you and will not change what He has promised you. So too, "believe His prophets" - who said that you should do nothing at all - for by this you shall prosper, in the merit of this faith.
And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Hashem, and praise in the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and say: ‘Give thanks to Hashem, for His mercy endures for ever.’
verse value 3968
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 80 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֥י, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·beauty·of·holiness" (לְהַדְרַת־קֹ֑דֶשׁ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 56: to·Hashem, to·Hashem. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "singers" (מְשֹֽׁרְרִים֙), "in·beauty·of·holiness" (לְהַדְרַת־קֹ֑דֶשׁ), "and·saying" (וְאֹֽמְרִים֙). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·saying" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "with·the·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·beauty·of·holiness', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 9 words.
Ralbag
'And he appointed those who should sing to Hashem,' etc. — Here Jehoshaphat shows that he trusts in none but Hashem, may He be blessed; therefore, when he went out before the men of war, he appointed singers to Hashem who would praise His glorious holiness and give thanks to Hashem, may He be blessed, for the kindness He had promised them. And at the time they began to sing and praise Hashem, may He be blessed, Hashem put it into the hearts of their enemies [to turn on one another], so that they set ambushes against one another and a renewed hatred broke out among them, until the children of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir — who were allied with them — to destroy and annihilate them; and after they had finished striking down the inhabitants of Seir, Hashem, may He be blessed, brought about a renewed hatred between the children of Ammon and Moab, until they destroyed one another — and in this way they became, as it were, helpers to Israel.
Metzudat David
'With the people' – [The Hebrew word here, literally ‘to the people,’] is used in the sense of ‘the people’ [i.e., as a direct object]. 'In the beauty of holiness' – Said of God, blessed be He, meaning that He is adorned and resplendent in holiness. 'And when they went out' – At the time they went out before the vanguard, they would sing and give praise, saying, ‘Give thanks to Hashem,’ etc.
Metzudat Zion
The army [vanguard] — The men armed with weapons of war. Began — They started.
Malbim
And when he had taken counsel with the people - The verb here (“he took counsel,” va-yo’atz) is to be distinguished from the noun eitzah (“a piece of advice”): it describes him actively consulting with the people, not merely handing down a directive. he appointed those who should sing to Hashem - directed toward Him in His own essence, that He is the Creator of the world. and praise - directed toward the aspect of His actions and His providence over Israel in particular. in the beauty of holiness - for He shows Himself to them in His splendor. as they went out before the army - in that He [Hashem] goes forth before the vanguard, to fight against their enemies. and say: ‘Give thanks to Hashem, for His mercy endures for ever’ - for He does not go forth in order to bring harm to the nations, but only in order thereby to do good to Israel, for His mercy stands upon them forever.
And when they began to sing and to praise, Hashem set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that had come against Judah; and they were smitten.
verse value 3490
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 67 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "he·gave" (נָתַ֣ן, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·mount·Seir" (וְהַר־שֵׂעִ֛יר, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 49: they·began, Moab. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·song" (בְרִנָּ֜ה), "and·praise" (וּתְהִלָּ֗ה), "liers-in-wait" (מְ֠אָֽרְבִ֠ים). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "against·the·sons·of" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "who·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). Full calculation: וּבְעֵת֩ [and·in·time] (478) + הֵחֵ֨לּוּ [they·began] (49) + בְרִנָּ֜ה [in·song] (257) + וּתְהִלָּ֗ה [and·praise] (446) + נָתַ֣ן [he·gave] (500) + יְהֹוָ֣ה [Hashem] (26) + מְ֠אָֽרְבִ֠ים [liers-in-wait] (293) + עַל־בְּנֵ֨י [against·the·sons·of] (162) + עַמּ֜וֹן [Ammon] (166) + מוֹאָ֧ב [Moab] (49) + וְהַר־שֵׂעִ֛יר [and·mount·Seir] (791) + הַבָּאִ֥ים [who·came] (58) + לִֽיהוּדָ֖ה [against·Judah] (60) + וַיִּנָּגֵֽפוּ [and·they·were·smitten] (155) = 3490.
Rashi
the Lord placed liers-in-wait He placed liers-in-wait to annihilate them and destroy them. An example is found in the case of Abijah the son of Rehoboam (13:13): “And Jeroboam turned the ambush.” Similarly, the Holy One, blessed be He, turned them one against another, and later, Moab returned and aided the children of Ammon, and they both rose up against the children of Seir.
Metzudat David
Hashem set liers-in-wait — He put it into the hearts of these men to lie in wait for them and to strike them down. and they were smitten — They were struck by the ambushers and weakened.
Malbim
And when they began to sing - as it says [in the previous verse], "those who should sing to Hashem." and to praise - as it says, "and praise." Hashem set liers-in-wait - The matter was as follows: since there were three separate nations present, Moab, Ammon, and Seir, who hated one another but had joined together only against Israel, Hashem put it into the heart of Moab to plot the destruction of its neighbors Ammon and Seir. Moab quietly allied itself with the people of Seir in order to destroy Ammon. This is the meaning of "Hashem set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon" - that Moab lay in wait for them by cunning; and who were the ones lying in wait? Moab and Mount Seir. "And they were smitten" - the children of Ammon were smitten. Then, once Moab saw that the children of Ammon had been weakened, it wanted to weaken the people of Seir as well, and it made peace with the surviving children of Ammon on condition that they help it against Mount Seir. And then:
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
verse value 5411
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 78 letters. The shortest word is "the·sons·of" (בְּנֵ֨י, 3 letters) and the longest is "man·against·his·fellow" (אִישׁ־בְּרֵעֵ֖הוּ, 8 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "against·the·inhabitants·of" (עַל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י), "mount·Seir" (הַר־שֵׂעִ֖יר), "to·slay" (לְהַחֲרִ֣ים). The root ישב appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·sons·of" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "and·they·stood·up" (root עמד, 54x in II Chronicles); "man·against·his·fellow" (root איש, 53x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·to·destroy', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַ֠יַּעַמְד֠וּ [and·they·stood·up] (136) + בְּנֵ֨י [the·sons·of] (62) + עַמּ֧וֹן [Ammon] (166) + וּמוֹאָ֛ב [and·Moab] (55) + עַל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י [against·the·inhabitants·of] (422) + הַר־שֵׂעִ֖יר [mount·Seir] (785) + לְהַחֲרִ֣ים [to·slay] (293) + וּלְהַשְׁמִ֑יד [and·to·destroy] (395) + וּכְכַלּוֹתָם֙ [and·when·they·finished] (522) + בְּיוֹשְׁבֵ֣י [among·the·inhabitants·of] (330) + שֵׂעִ֔יר [Seir] (580) + עָזְר֥וּ [they·helped] (283) + אִישׁ־בְּרֵעֵ֖הוּ [man·against·his·fellow] (594) + לְמַשְׁחִֽית [to·destruction] (788) = 5411.
Rashi
when they finished with the inhabitants of Seir, each one helped his friend to destroy The Holy One, blessed be He, turned one against the other until they were completely destroyed; until the corpses fell to the ground with no survivors.
Metzudat David
against the inhabitants of mount Seir — for they thought that the ambushers were Seir's own men. when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir — that is, they destroyed them all. every one helped to destroy another — One would help his fellow strike down whoever came against him to fight, and then another would come to help one of them destroy the other, and so it went, back and forth, until they had wiped each other out.
Malbim
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them - Of the children of Ammon they killed only some, for Moab wanted a remnant of them to survive, so that they could help it against the people of Seir; but the people of Seir it destroyed completely. That is why it says, "and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir" - that these were wiped out entirely - and then only the remnant of the children of Ammon was left, and against them Moab was now able to stand. every one helped to destroy another - That is to say, it now became apparent that their very helping one another had brought about their own destruction: because the people of Seir first helped against the children of Ammon, and the children of Ammon afterward [helped] against the people of Seir, they were thereby destroyed at the hand of Moab. It also means that at that point there was panic among them, and every man drew the sword against his fellow, each destroying the other - all this is what appears from the plain sense of the verses. However, on closer examination it is very puzzling how Edom, Moab, and the children of Ammon could have formed so formidable a force that Jehoshaphat was afraid of them - for was not Moab under Israel's hand the entire time, not rebelling until after the death of Ahab, as is mentioned (II Kings 1:1; 3:6)? And Edom was under Jehoshaphat's hand, and "there was no king in Edom; a deputy was king" (I Kings 22:48); and Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and the king of Edom [together] smote Moab (II Kings 3:9) - so how could Jehoshaphat have been afraid of them? And if Asa, who had only 580,000 fighting men, defeated the Cushites, who numbered a million, how could Jehoshaphat, who had an army of 1,160,000, have been afraid? Moreover, what is stated in verse 3, "and it was told Jehoshaphat, saying: a great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Aram," is very puzzling, since Moab, Edom, and the children of Ammon were in the south of Judah, while Aram was in the north, and the sea was in the west! And to say that the messenger simply erred is very forced. The truth, rather, is that Moab and Edom wanted at that time to throw off the yoke of Israel's subjugation, and they hired many bands of troops from beyond the sea - these being the nations listed in Psalm 83, which was composed about this very war: Philistia together with the inhabitants of Tyre came by way of the sea, while the Ishmaelites and the Assyrians came by way of Aram. They joined together at the instigation of Moab, Edom, and Ammon to destroy Judah, coming from beyond the sea, from Aram, and from there circling around to the south of the Land of Israel to join with the children of Ammon, Edom, and Moab. And as they passed through the eastern border of the Land of Israel, the Hagrites who dwelt there joined them (as stated in I Chronicles 5:10), and at Hazazon-tamar the Amalekites joined them (as stated in Genesis 14:7). This is the meaning of what is said there [in Psalm 83], "who have said: Let us take the pastures of God in possession for ourselves" - which echoes what is said here in verse 11, "to drive us out of Your possession." And at the time of the panic, each one's own allied troops came to his aid, and thereby there was confusion among them, and every man's sword was against his fellow.
And when Judah came to the watch-tower of the wilderness, they looked upon the multitude; and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who escaped.
verse value 2065
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 59 letters. Notable word values: "and·Judah" (וִיהוּדָ֛ה) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "he·came" (בָּ֥א, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·the·watch-tower" (עַל־הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·the·watch-tower" (עַל־הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה), "upon·the·multitude" (אֶל־הֶ֣הָמ֔וֹן), "corpses" (פְּגָרִ֛ים). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "he·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "and·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles); "to·the·earth" (root ארץ, 74x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·wilderness', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 8 words. Full calculation: וִיהוּדָ֛ה [and·Judah] (36) + בָּ֥א [he·came] (3) + עַל־הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה [to·the·watch-tower] (320) + לַמִּדְבָּ֑ר [to·the·wilderness] (276) + וַיִּפְנוּ֙ [and·they·looked] (152) + אֶל־הֶ֣הָמ֔וֹן [upon·the·multitude] (137) + וְהִנָּ֧ם [and·behold·they] (101) + פְּגָרִ֛ים [corpses] (333) + נֹפְלִ֥ים [fallen] (210) + אַ֖רְצָה [to·the·earth] (296) + וְאֵ֥ין [and·there·was·no] (67) + פְּלֵיטָֽה [escape] (134) = 2065.
Metzudat David
the watch-tower of the wilderness — the place from which they would look out over the wilderness, toward where that camp was. and there were none who escaped — not even a remnant of them was left.
Malbim
to the watch-tower of the wilderness - this was the wilderness of Jeruel (mentioned in verse 16).
And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.
verse value 5771
Insights
Verse structure: 23 words, 103 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֥י, 2 letters) and the longest is "Jehoshaphat" (יְהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 66: and·vessels·of, plundering. 9 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·plunder" (לָבֹ֣ז), "their·spoil" (אֶת־שְׁלָלָם֒), "and·riches" (וּרְכ֤וּשׁ). The root בזז appears 2 times in this verse. 19 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "and·his·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "and·they·were" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root רכוש ("and·riches") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root נצל ("and·they·stripped") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'burden', dividing the verse into phrases of 16 and 7 words.
Rashi
to the extent that they could not carry them away because of the quantity.
Metzudat David
and dead bodies — meaning, they found them there as corpses, with no one to stop them from taking [the spoil]. which they stripped off for themselves — they stripped the place bare, taking everything for themselves. more than they could carry away — so much that they could not carry it all, on account of its great abundance.
Metzudat Zion
Riches — This is an inclusive term for gold, silver, and movable goods. Which they stripped off — This means emptying out, as in 'and they stripped the Egyptians' (Exodus 12).
Malbim
riches - silver and gold. and dead bodies - who were clothed and adorned with precious ornaments. which they stripped off for themselves - They were unable to take all the spoil, so they stripped off and set aside only what was not too heavy to carry - that is, things that were not a heavy burden - and even so they spent three days plundering, because the spoil was so abundant.
And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah; for there they blessed Hashem; therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah, to this day.
verse value 4032
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 71 letters. Verse gematria: 4032 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "the·valley·of" (עֵ֥מֶק, 3 letters) and the longest is "Hashem" (אֶת־יְהֹוָ֑ה, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 227: Beracah, Beracah. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·fourth" (הָרְבִעִ֗י), "they·assembled" (נִקְהֲלוּ֙), "in·the·valley·of" (לְעֵ֣מֶק). The root יום appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·on·the·day" (root יום, 71x in II Chronicles); "for·there" (root שם, 63x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 8 words.
Rashi
they congregated to the valley of Berachah To the valley which was later called the valley of Berachah, because of the incident [that took place there], as is explained immediately following, as Scripture states for there they blessed the Lord and gave thanks for all the good that He had done for them, that He saved them from their enemies.
Metzudat David
in the valley of Beracah — Scripture speaks of it by the name it was later given, for it was only afterward that they called it ‘the valley of Beracah.’
Metzudat Zion
Assembled themselves — They gathered, as in 'and Moses assembled' (Exodus 35).
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy; for Hashem had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
verse value 4134
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 69 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 4134 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·return" (לָשׁ֥וּב, 4 letters) and the longest is "to·Jerusalem" (אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·their·head" (בְּרֹאשָׁ֔ם), "to·return" (לָשׁ֥וּב), "for·he·made·them·rejoice" (כִּֽי־שִׂמְּחָ֥ם). The root שוב appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles); "and·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root שמחה ("in·joy") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·joy', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַ֠יָּשֻׁב֠וּ [and·they·returned] (324) + כׇּל־אִ֨ישׁ [every·man·of] (361) + יְהוּדָ֤ה [Judah] (30) + וִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ [and·Jerusalem] (592) + וִיהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט [and·Jehoshaphat] (416) + בְּרֹאשָׁ֔ם [in·their·head] (543) + לָשׁ֥וּב [to·return] (338) + אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם [to·Jerusalem] (617) + בְּשִׂמְחָ֑ה [in·joy] (355) + כִּֽי־שִׂמְּחָ֥ם [for·he·made·them·rejoice] (418) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + מֵאוֹיְבֵיהֶֽם [from·their·enemies] (114) = 4134.
Metzudat David
over their enemies — in that He delivered them from their enemies.
Malbim
to go back to Jerusalem with joy - They resolved in their minds to return joyfully, as is stated afterward, "and they came... with psalteries," and so on. for Hashem had made them to rejoice over their enemies - They understood that the very fact that enemies had come against them was from Hashem, in order to make them rejoice through His salvation.
And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets to the house of Hashem.
verse value 2700
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 41 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 2700 is divisible by 50, the years to the Jubilee (yovel). The shortest word is "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·with·trumpets" (וּבַחֲצֹֽצְר֑וֹת, 8 letters). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "to·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "and·they·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·with·trumpets', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ [and·they·came] (25) + יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם [Jerusalem] (586) + בִּנְבָלִ֥ים [with·psalteries] (134) + וּבְכִנֹּר֖וֹת [and·with·harps] (684) + וּבַחֲצֹֽצְר֑וֹת [and·with·trumpets] (802) + אֶל־בֵּ֖ית [to·house·of] (443) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 2700.
Rashi
And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries, with harps, and with trumpets These three musical instruments correspond to “all the men of Judah and Jerusalem and Jehoshaphat.”
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest round about.
verse value 1997
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 32 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (ל֦וֹ) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֦וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "Jehoshaphat" (יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט, 6 letters). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "his·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "Jehoshaphat" (root יהושפט, 40x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Jehoshaphat', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַתִּשְׁקֹ֖ט [and·it·was·quiet] (815) + מַלְכ֣וּת [realm·of] (496) + יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט [Jehoshaphat] (410) + וַיָּ֧נַֽח [and·he·gave·rest] (74) + ל֦וֹ [to·him] (36) + אֱלֹהָ֖יו [his·God] (52) + מִסָּבִֽיב [from·around] (114) = 1997.
Metzudat David
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet — there was no one to challenge his rule.
Malbim
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet - within the kingdom itself. for his God gave him rest round about - from the nations surrounding the Land of Israel.
And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah; he was thirty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
verse value 5431
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 77 letters. The shortest word is "year" (שָׁנָ֜ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "over·Judah" (עַל־יְהוּדָ֑ה, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 355: year, year. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "Azubah" (עֲזוּבָ֖ה), "daughter·of·Shilhi" (בַּת־שִׁלְחִֽי). The root מלך appears 3 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·reigned" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "son·of·thirty" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "over·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'over·Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 13 words.
Metzudat David
And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah — meaning, they accepted his rule with love, once they saw his success.
And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and did not turn aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of Hashem.
verse value 2294
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 42 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "Asa" (אָסָ֖א, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·not·he·turned·aside" (וְלֹא־סָ֣ר, 5 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "from·it" (מִמֶּ֑נָּה). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "to·do" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "his·father" (root אב, 114x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·it', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ [and·he·walked] (66) + בְּדֶ֛רֶךְ [in·way·of] (226) + אָבִ֥יו [his·father] (19) + אָסָ֖א [Asa] (62) + וְלֹא־סָ֣ר [and·not·he·turned·aside] (297) + מִמֶּ֑נָּה [from·it] (135) + לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת [to·do] (806) + הַיָּשָׁ֖ר [the·right] (515) + בְּעֵינֵ֥י [in·eyes·of] (142) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 2294.
Rashi
And he went in the way of his father Asa and did not turn away From what did he not turn away? to do what was right From the good and upright way of his father he did not turn away, but from the bad ways of Asa he did turn away, as is written (above 16:2): “And Asa brought forth silver and gold,” and the entire incident, but Jehoshaphat did not do so, but trusted in the Holy One, blessed be He, all his life.
Metzudat David
doing that which was right in the eyes of Hashem — meaning, in this he followed his father's ways, doing right just as he did; but he did not follow him in the one matter where his father failed to trust in Hashem.
However, the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts to the God of their fathers.
verse value 1702
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 41 letters. Notable word values: "and·still" (וְע֤וֹד) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "however" (אַ֥ךְ, 2 letters) and the longest is "not·they·set" (לֹא־הֵכִ֣ינוּ, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "however" (אַ֥ךְ), "the·high·places" (הַבָּמ֖וֹת), "not·they·set" (לֹא־הֵכִ֣ינוּ). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "the·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "their·fathers" (root אב, 114x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'not·they·turned·aside', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 6 words. Full calculation: אַ֥ךְ [however] (21) + הַבָּמ֖וֹת [the·high·places] (453) + לֹא־סָ֑רוּ [not·they·turned·aside] (297) + וְע֤וֹד [and·still] (86) + הָעָם֙ [the·people] (115) + לֹא־הֵכִ֣ינוּ [not·they·set] (122) + לְבָבָ֔ם [their·heart] (74) + לֵאלֹהֵ֖י [to·the·God·of] (76) + אֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם [their·fathers] (458) = 1702.
Ralbag
'However, the high places were not taken away' — meaning, the high places that were [dedicated] to Hashem, that is, private high places (bamot yachid). He says this because the high places had already been forbidden after the building of the Temple, as is explained in the Torah.
Metzudat David
the high places — those built for [the worship of] Hashem, which had been forbidden once the Temple was built. neither as yet had the people set their hearts to the God of their fathers — only he alone had set his heart toward Hashem.
Malbim
the high places were not taken away - This was not the fault of Jehoshaphat, for he himself did not offer sacrifice at a high place, just as Asa his father had not; rather, it was on account of the people, who had not set their hearts aright. Had he removed the high places, they would have rebelled against him, for in their eyes it was a religious duty that incense and offerings be brought to His name in every place - as is said elsewhere, "is it not He whose high places... Hezekiah took away" - for they had not set their hearts to know that service of the one, unique God may be offered only in one designated place.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the words of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in the book of the kings of Israel.
verse value 4843
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 74 letters. The shortest word is "behold·them" (הִנָּ֣ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·last" (וְהָאַחֲרֹנִ֑ים, 8 letters). The root דבר appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "kings·of" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "son·of·Hanani" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·the·last', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 10 words.
Rashi
in the words of Jehu the son of Hanani who said to King Jehoshaphat, (19:2) “[Did you go] to aid the wicked?”
Metzudat David
which is inserted in the book of the kings of Israel — He [Jehu] recorded Jehoshaphat's affairs in writing, entering them into the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
Malbim
in the words of Jehu - who wrote the chronicle for the kings of Judah in that period. which - is equivalent to "and which was inserted," referring to the account mentioned in II Kings chapter 3.
And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel; the same did very wickedly;
verse value 3611
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 54 letters. The shortest word is "with" (עִ֖ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "king·of·Judah" (מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֔ה, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "he·joined·himself" (אֶתְחַבַּר֙), "Ahaziah" (אֲחַזְיָ֣ה), "he·did·wickedly" (הִרְשִׁ֥יעַ). The root מלך appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king·of·Judah" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "to·do" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "with" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root חבר ("he·joined·himself") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'king·of·Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן [and·after·this] (295) + אֶתְחַבַּר֙ [he·joined·himself] (611) + יְהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט [Jehoshaphat] (410) + מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֔ה [king·of·Judah] (120) + עִ֖ם [with] (110) + אֲחַזְיָ֣ה [Ahaziah] (31) + מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל [king·of·Israel] (631) + ה֖וּא [he] (12) + הִרְשִׁ֥יעַ [he·did·wickedly] (585) + לַעֲשֽׂוֹת [to·do] (806) = 3611.
Metzudat David
the same did very wickedly — even though Ahaziah acted so wickedly, Jehoshaphat did not refrain from allying himself with him.
Metzudat Zion
Join himself — Like 'hitchaber' [to join], with the letter alef coming in place of the letter heh.
Malbim
the same did very wickedly - for Ahab had been incited [to evil] by Jezebel his wife, whereas this one did wickedly of his own accord.
and he joined him with himself to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.
verse value 4608
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 48 letters. Verse gematria: 4608 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "with·him" (עִמּ֔וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·he·joined·him" (וַיְחַבְּרֵ֣הוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 467: ships, ships. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·joined·him" (וַיְחַבְּרֵ֣הוּ), "in·Ezion-" (בְּעֶצְי֥וֹן), "geber" (גָּֽבֶר). The root עשה appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·make" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "with·him" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "to·go" (root הלך, 52x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Tarshish', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיְחַבְּרֵ֣הוּ [and·he·joined·him] (237) + עִמּ֔וֹ [with·him] (116) + לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת [to·make] (806) + אֳנִיּ֖וֹת [ships] (467) + לָלֶ֣כֶת [to·go] (480) + תַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ [Tarshish] (1210) + וַיַּעֲשׂ֥וּ [and·they·made] (392) + אֳנִיּ֖וֹת [ships] (467) + בְּעֶצְי֥וֹן [in·Ezion-] (228) + גָּֽבֶר [geber] (205) = 4608.
Metzudat David
and he joined him with himself — Jehoshaphat joined Ahaziah to himself, to build ships together, and so on.
Malbim
and he joined him with himself - At first they made the ships in partnership, and they were wrecked; this corresponds to what is stated in I Kings (22:49), that Jehoshaphat made ships and they were wrecked - that is, ships made in partnership with Ahaziah. And as for what is said there, "ships of Tarshish" - Ezra [the author here] explains that this means ships built to sail to Tarshish, which serves to rule out the interpretation of the Abarbanel (which I cited in my commentary to I Kings 10:22). in Ezion-geber - that is where the harbor was; and the ships were wrecked in Ezion-geber, as is stated there in Kings - see there, verse 50.
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying: ‘Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Hashem has made a breach in your works.’ And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
verse value 7384
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 94 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 7384 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "he·has·breached" (פָּרַ֤ץ, 3 letters) and the longest is "against·Jehoshaphat" (עַל־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט, 8 letters). 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·prophesied" (וַיִּתְנַבֵּ֞א), "Eliezer" (אֱלִיעֶ֤זֶר), "son·of·Dodavahu" (בֶּן־דֹּדָוָ֙הוּ֙). 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "son·of·Dodavahu" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "saying" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root אחזיהו ("with·Ahaziah") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'saying', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 11 words.
Rashi
and could not go - Heb. וְלֹא עָצְרוּ, lit., they did not hold in. The meaning is: The ships could not muster the strength to go, and they were broken.
Ralbag
'Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Hashem has made a breach in your works' — He explains here that had they not joined together with Ahaziah in [building] ships, Jehoshaphat would not have been punished by having his ships broken. 'And they were not able to go to Tarshish' — because they had already been broken and shattered.
Metzudat David
Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah — because you joined yourself with Ahaziah, Hashem has made a breach [in your works]; meaning, a breach and ruin will come upon your works, and you will not succeed in them. that they were not able to go to Tarshish — they did not have the strength to hold together and reach Tarshish. In I Kings the matter is told differently; perhaps what is stated there happened on another occasion.
Rashi
Metzudat David
Malbim