2 Chronicles 13:3
New International Version
Abijah went into battle with an army of four hundred thousand able fighting men, and Jeroboam drew up a battle line against him with eight hundred thousand able troops.

New Living Translation
Judah, led by King Abijah, fielded 400,000 select warriors, while Jeroboam mustered 800,000 select troops from Israel.

English Standard Version
Abijah went out to battle, having an army of valiant men of war, 400,000 chosen men. And Jeroboam drew up his line of battle against him with 800,000 chosen mighty warriors.

Berean Standard Bible
Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor.

King James Bible
And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.

New King James Version
Abijah set the battle in order with an army of valiant warriors, four hundred thousand choice men. Jeroboam also drew up in battle formation against him with eight hundred thousand choice men, mighty men of valor.

New American Standard Bible
Abijah began the battle with an army of warriors, four hundred thousand chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in battle formation against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men who were valiant warriors.

NASB 1995
Abijah began the battle with an army of valiant warriors, 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in battle formation against him with 800,000 chosen men who were valiant warriors.

NASB 1977
And Abijah began the battle with an army of valiant warriors, 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in battle formation against him with 800,000 chosen men who were valiant warriors.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Abijah began the battle with a military force of mighty men, 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam arranged them all for battle against him with 800,000 chosen men who were mighty men of valor.

Amplified Bible
Abijah began the battle with an army of brave soldiers, 400,000 chosen men. Jeroboam drew up in battle formation against him with 800,000 chosen men, valiant men.

Christian Standard Bible
Abijah set his army of warriors in order with four hundred thousand fit young men. Jeroboam arranged his mighty army of eight hundred thousand fit young men in battle formation against him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abijah set his army of warriors in order with 400,000 choice men. Jeroboam arranged his mighty army of 800,000 choice men in battle formation against him.

American Standard Version
And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor.

Contemporary English Version
Abijah's army had 400,000 troops, and Jeroboam met him in battle with 800,000 troops.

English Revised Version
And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valour.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abijah prepared for battle with an army of 400,000 of the best soldiers, while Jeroboam arranged to oppose him with 800,000 of the best professional soldiers.

Good News Translation
Abijah raised an army of 400,000 soldiers, and Jeroboam opposed him with an army of 800,000.

International Standard Version
Abijah started the battle with an army of 400,000 specially chosen valiant soldiers, but Jeroboam opposed him with 800,000 specially chosen valiant soldiers.

Majority Standard Bible
Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor.

NET Bible
Abijah launched the attack with 400,000 well-trained warriors, while Jeroboam deployed against him 800,000 well-trained warriors.

New Heart English Bible
Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valor.

World English Bible
Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men; and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abijah directs the war with a force of mighty men of war, four hundred thousand chosen men, and Jeroboam has set in array [for] battle with him, with eight hundred thousand chosen men, mighty men of valor.

Young's Literal Translation
And Abijah directeth the war with a force of mighty men of war, four hundred thousand chosen men, and Jeroboam hath set in array with him battle, with eight hundred thousand chosen men, mighty of valour.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abijah will bind on the battle with the strength of the strong ones of war, four hundred thousand chosen men: and Jeroboam arranged the battle with him with eight hundred thousand, each chosen, strong of power.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Abia had begun battle, and had with him four hundred thou- sand most valiant and chosen men, Jeroboam put his army in array against him, eight hundred thousand men, who were also chosen and most valiant for war.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Abijah had undertaken the conflict, and he had with him four hundred thousand elect men, very fit for war, Jeroboam set up a battle line opposite him of eight hundred thousand men, who were also elect and very strong in warfare.

New American Bible
Abijah joined battle with a force of four hundred thousand picked warriors, while Jeroboam lined up against him in battle with eight hundred thousand picked and valiant warriors.

New Revised Standard Version
Abijah engaged in battle, having an army of valiant warriors, four hundred thousand picked men; and Jeroboam drew up his line of battle against him with eight hundred thousand picked mighty warriors.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abijah mobilized an army of valiant men of war, four hundred thousand young men, who took upon themselves to go and fight against Jeroboam the son of Nebat. And Jeroboam also had mobilized an army, and he came to fight against him with eight hundred thousand young men, being mighty men of valour.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abia girded men as workers of war, four hundred thousand young men, until they took upon them to go and they would make war with Yorbaam, son of Nebat, and Yorbaam, son of Nebat, gathered an army to himself and came so that he made war with eight hundred thousand men, young mighty men of power.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men; and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valour.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abia set the battle in array with an army, with mighty men of war, even four hundred thousand mighty men: and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand, they were mighty warriors of the host.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abijah Reigns in Judah
2and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel; she was from Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. 3Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor.

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

1 Kings 12:21
And when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the whole house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against the house of Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon.

2 Chronicles 11:1
When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the house of Judah and Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.

1 Samuel 17:48
As the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

2 Samuel 2:12-17
One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. / So Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David marched out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. And the two groups took up positions on opposite sides of the pool. / Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied. ...

2 Chronicles 14:8
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.

2 Chronicles 17:14-18
These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor; / next to him, Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000; / and next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer for the LORD, and with him 200,000 mighty men of valor. ...

2 Chronicles 25:5-6
Then Amaziah gathered the people of Judah and assigned them according to their families to commanders of thousands and of hundreds. And he numbered those twenty years of age or older throughout Judah and Benjamin and found 300,000 chosen men able to serve in the army, bearing the spear and shield. / He also hired 100,000 mighty men of valor from Israel for a hundred talents of silver.

2 Chronicles 26:11-13
Uzziah had an army ready for battle that went out to war by assigned divisions, as recorded by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officers. / The total number of family leaders of the mighty men of valor was 2,600. / Under their authority was an army of 307,500 trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies.

2 Chronicles 27:3-4
Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD, and he worked extensively on the wall at the hill of Ophel. / He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.

2 Chronicles 28:6
For in one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 valiant men in Judah. This happened because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 32:2-8
When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come to make war against Jerusalem, / he consulted with his leaders and mighty men about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out. / Many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said. ...

2 Chronicles 35:20-22
After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt marched up to fight at Carchemish by the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to confront him. / But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty, and God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!” / Josiah, however, did not turn away from him; instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.

1 Chronicles 21:5
And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah.

1 Chronicles 27:1
This is the list of the Israelites—the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter concerning the divisions on rotating military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 men in each division:


Treasury of Scripture

And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valor.

set [heb] bound together

1 Samuel 17:1-3
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim…

four hundred

2 Chronicles 11:1
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

2 Chronicles 14:8
And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

2 Chronicles 17:14-18
And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand…

eight hundred

2 Chronicles 14:9
And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.

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Abijah Abi'jah Army Array Battle Chosen Drew Eight Four Hundred Jeroboam Jerobo'am Joined Mighty Picked Thousand Valiant Valor War Warriors
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Abijah Abi'jah Army Array Battle Chosen Drew Eight Four Hundred Jeroboam Jerobo'am Joined Mighty Picked Thousand Valiant Valor War Warriors
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














Abijah went into battle
The name "Abijah" means "My Father is Yahweh" in Hebrew, reflecting a heritage of faith. Abijah, the king of Judah, is stepping into a significant moment of conflict. Historically, this period follows the division of the united monarchy of Israel into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Abijah's decision to go into battle signifies a moment of courage and reliance on God, as he leads his people against overwhelming odds. This phrase sets the stage for a confrontation that is not just physical but spiritual, as it involves the covenant people of God.

with an army of 400,000 choice men
The term "choice men" indicates soldiers who were selected for their skill and valor. The number 400,000, while literal, also symbolizes completeness and strength in biblical numerology. This army represents the best of Judah, prepared to defend their land and faith. Historically, armies of this size were significant, indicating a major military engagement. The preparation and selection of these men reflect the seriousness of the conflict and the trust placed in human strength, yet it also foreshadows the need for divine intervention.

while Jeroboam drew up in battle formation
Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, is a central figure in the division of the united monarchy. His actions in drawing up a battle formation demonstrate strategic planning and readiness for war. The phrase suggests a calculated approach to warfare, emphasizing Jeroboam's leadership and the threat he poses to Judah. Historically, Jeroboam's reign was marked by idolatry and turning away from God, setting the stage for a conflict not just of nations but of spiritual allegiance.

against him with his army of 800,000 choice men
The mention of "800,000 choice men" highlights the overwhelming numerical superiority of Jeroboam's forces. This vast army underscores the daunting challenge faced by Abijah and Judah. The repetition of "choice men" emphasizes the quality and preparedness of both armies, yet the disparity in numbers points to a humanly insurmountable obstacle. In the biblical narrative, such scenarios often set the stage for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness, reminding the faithful that victory does not depend on numbers but on divine support.

(3) Set the battle in array.--Began the battle. Vulg., "cumque iniisset Abia certanien" (1Kings 20:14).

Four hundred thousand chosen men.--In David's census, Judah mustered 470,000 fighting men, and Israel 1,100,000, without reckoning Levi and Benjamin (1Chronicles 21:5). The numbers of the verse present a yet closer agreement with the results of that census as reported in 2Samuel 24:9; where, as here, the total strength of the Israelite warriors is given as 800,000, and that of Judah as 500,000. This correspondence makes it improbable that the figures have been falsified in transmission. (See Note on 2Chronicles 13:17.)

Jeroboam also set the battle in array.--While Jeroboam had drawn up against him. Vulg., instruxite contra aciem.

Verse 3. - It is not within the province of an expositor to assert dogmatically that numbers like these in this verse should be deprived of one cipher, and that the slaughter of ver. 17 must be, consequently, similarly discounted. It would be, however, a great relief to faith to be able to give proof that this treatment would be true to fact. At present the numbers can be shown to be consistent with other numbers, such as those of the entire man-population (1 Chronicles 21:5; 2 Chronicles 11:13-17); and this seems the best that can be said in support of them. It does not, however, suffice to bring comfortable conviction. It is remarkable, among the difficulties that the question entails, that we do not get any satisfactory explanation as to how such vast numbers of slain bodies were disposed of in a compass of ground comparatively so small.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Abijah
אֲבִיָּ֜ה (’ă·ḇî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 29: Abijah -- 'Yah is my father', an Israelite name

went
וַיֶּאְסֹ֨ר (way·ye’·sōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle

into battle
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה (ham·mil·ḥā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

with an army
בְּחַ֙יִל֙ (bə·ḥa·yil)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

of 400,000
אַרְבַּע־ (’ar·ba‘-)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702: Four

choice
בָּח֑וּר (bā·ḥūr)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 970: Selected, a youth

men,
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

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

drew up in formation
עָרַ֤ךְ (‘ā·raḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

against him
עִמּוֹ֙ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

with his army
חָֽיִל׃ (ḥā·yil)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

of 800,000
בִּשְׁמוֹנֶ֨ה (biš·mō·w·neh)
Preposition-b | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8083: A cardinal number, eight, eighth

choice
בָּח֖וּר (bā·ḥūr)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 970: Selected, a youth

men.
אִ֥ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 13:3 Abijah joined battle with an army (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 13:2
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