2 Chronicles 13:13
New International Version
Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah the ambush was behind them.

New Living Translation
Meanwhile, Jeroboam had secretly sent part of his army around behind the men of Judah to ambush them.

English Standard Version
Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to come upon them from behind. Thus his troops were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them.

King James Bible
But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.

New King James Version
But Jeroboam caused an ambush to go around behind them; so they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.

New American Standard Bible
But Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from behind, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them.

NASB 1995
But Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them.

NASB 1977
But Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Jeroboam had encircled an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them.

Amplified Bible
But Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them.

Christian Standard Bible
Now Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to advance from behind them. So they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to advance from behind them. So they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.

American Standard Version
But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.

Contemporary English Version
But while Abijah was talking, Jeroboam had sent some of his troops to attack Judah's army from behind, while the rest attacked from the front.

English Revised Version
But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Jeroboam had set an ambush to attack them from behind. So Jeroboam's army was in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.

Good News Translation
Meanwhile Jeroboam had sent some of his troops to ambush the Judean army from the rear, while the rest faced them from the front.

International Standard Version
But Jeroboam had sent an ambush to attack from the rear, so Israel was in front of Judah, with the ambush set in place behind them.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them.

NET Bible
Now Jeroboam had sent some men to ambush the Judahite army from behind. The main army was in front of the Judahite army; the ambushers were behind it.

New Heart English Bible
But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambush was behind them.

Webster's Bible Translation
But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambush was behind them.

World English Bible
But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them; so they were before Judah, and the ambush was behind them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jeroboam has brought around the ambush to come in from behind them, and they are before Judah, and the ambush [is] behind them.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jeroboam hath brought round the ambush to come in from behind them, and they are before Judah, and the ambush is behind them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jeroboam turned about an ambush to come from behind them: and they will be before Judah, and the ambush from behind them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
While he spoke these things, Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind him. And while he stood facing the enemies, he encompassed Juda. who perceived it not, with his army.

Catholic Public Domain Version
While he was speaking these things, Jeroboam set in motion an ambush behind them. And while they stood facing the enemy, without Judah realizing it, his army circled around.

New American Bible
But Jeroboam had an ambush go around them to come at them from the rear; so that while his army faced Judah, his ambush lay behind them.

New Revised Standard Version
Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to come on them from behind; thus his troops were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them; so they were before Judah, and the ambush was behind them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them; so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Now Jeroboam had caused an ambush to come round upon him from behind: and he himself was before Juda, and the ambush behind.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Civil War Against Jeroboam
12Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.” 13Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. 14When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets,…

Cross References
1 Kings 15:6
And there was war between the houses of Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of Abijam’s life.

2 Chronicles 14:8-13
Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor. / Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah. / So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. ...

2 Chronicles 20:22-23
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him. / With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

2 Kings 19:32-34
So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city, declares the LORD. / I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”

2 Samuel 22:35
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 18:34
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 144:1
Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:19
They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 26:52-54
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. / Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? / But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

Luke 21:15
For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”


Treasury of Scripture

But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambush was behind them.

an ambushment

2 Chronicles 20:22
And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Joshua 8:4
And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

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Ambush Ambushment Attack Caused Facing Front Israel Jeroboam Jerobo'am Judah Others Rear Round Stationed Surprise Troops
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Ambush Ambushment Attack Caused Facing Front Israel Jeroboam Jerobo'am Judah Others Rear Round Stationed Surprise Troops
2 Chronicles 13
1. Abijah succeeding makes war against Jeroboam
4. he declares the right of his cause
13. Trusting in God, he overcomes Jeroboam
21. The wives and children of Abijah














Now Jeroboam
Jeroboam was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. His reign is marked by idolatry and rebellion against God’s covenant. Historically, Jeroboam's actions are seen as a direct challenge to the Davidic line, which God had established. His name, meaning "the people will contend," reflects his contentious role in Israel's history.

had sent an ambush
The Hebrew word for "ambush" is "אָרֵב" (arev), which implies a strategic military tactic involving surprise and deception. This tactic is often used in warfare to gain an advantage over the enemy. In the biblical context, it highlights Jeroboam's reliance on human cunning rather than seeking divine guidance, contrasting with the faith-based leadership expected of Israel's kings.

around to advance from the rear
This phrase indicates a strategic maneuver to attack Judah from behind, suggesting a well-planned military strategy. Historically, such tactics were common in ancient warfare, aiming to create confusion and panic among the enemy. This reflects Jeroboam's reliance on military prowess rather than seeking God's favor.

so that while he was in front of Judah
Jeroboam's positioning in front of Judah signifies a direct confrontation. The phrase underscores the tension between the northern and southern kingdoms. Judah, under King Abijah, represents the continuation of Davidic leadership and God's covenant promises, while Jeroboam's position symbolizes opposition to God's ordained order.

the ambush was behind them
The ambush being behind Judah signifies a threat from an unexpected direction, emphasizing the vulnerability of Judah in this situation. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the constant need for vigilance and reliance on God, as adversaries can attack from unforeseen angles. This scenario sets the stage for God’s intervention, highlighting His sovereignty and protection over His chosen people.

(13) But Jeroboam caused . . .--Now Jeroboam had brought the ambush round, in order to attack (literally, approach) them in the rear (literally, from behind them; so they (Jeroboam and his main body) were in front of Judah, and the ambush was in their rear.

The ambush.--The troops which Jeroboam had detached for that service.

Verses 13-16. - These verses purport to tell how Jeroboam, with all his vastly preponderating numbers (ver. 3), left nothing undone to secure the victory, and resorted even to the ambushment described; how, on the other hand, Abijah and his people honoured God by their cry and confident shout, and were delivered because they trusted in him (1 Samuel 17:45-47), and as follows, ver. 18, "relied upon the Lord God of their fathers."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Jeroboam
וְיָֽרָבְעָ֗ם (wə·yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3379: Jeroboam -- 'the people increase', the name of two Israelites kings

had sent an ambush
הַמַּאְרָ֔ב (ham·ma’·rāḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3993: An ambuscade

around
הֵסֵב֙ (hê·sêḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

to advance
לָב֖וֹא (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

from the rear,
מֵֽאַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם (mê·’a·ḥă·rê·hem)
Preposition-m | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

so that while he was
וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ (way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in front
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of Judah,
יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

the ambush
וְהַמַּאְרָ֖ב (wə·ham·ma’·rāḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3993: An ambuscade

was behind them.
מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ (mê·’a·ḥă·rê·hem)
Preposition-m | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 13:13 But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 13:12
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