2 Chronicles 20:12
New International Version
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

New Living Translation
O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

English Standard Version
O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Berean Standard Bible
Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

King James Bible
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

New King James Version
O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

New American Standard Bible
Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

NASB 1995
“O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

NASB 1977
“O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on Thee.”

Legacy Standard Bible
O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; and we do not know what we should do, but our eyes are on You.”

Amplified Bible
O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless against this great multitude which is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

Christian Standard Bible
Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.

American Standard Version
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

Contemporary English Version
Aren't you going to punish them? We won't stand a chance when this army attacks. We don't know what to do--we are begging for your help.

English Revised Version
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You're our God. Won't you judge them? We don't have the strength to face this large crowd that is attacking us. We don't know what to do, so we're looking to you."

Good News Translation
You are our God! Punish them, for we are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help."

International Standard Version
Our God, you are going to punish them, aren't you? We have no strength to face this vast multitude that has come against us, nor do we know what to do, except that our eyes are on you."

Majority Standard Bible
Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

NET Bible
Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless against this huge army that attacks us! We don't know what we should do; we look to you for help."

New Heart English Bible
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are on you."

Webster's Bible Translation
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

World English Bible
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us. We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
O our God, do You not execute judgment on them? For there is no power in us before this great multitude that has come against us, and we do not know what we do, but our eyes [are] on You.”

Young's Literal Translation
O our God, dost Thou not execute judgment upon them? for there is no power in us before this great multitude that hath come against us, and we know not what we do, but on Thee are our eyes.'

Smith's Literal Translation
O our God, wilt thou not judge against them? for no power in us before this great multitude coming against us; and we shall not know what we shall do: for our eyes are upon thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
O our God, wilt thou not then judge them? as for us we have not strength enough, to be able to resist this multitude, which cometh violently upon us. But as we know not what to do, we can only turn our eyes to thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, will you, our God, not judge them? Certainly, in us there is not enough strength so that we would be able to withstand this multitude, which rushes against us. But although we do not know what we ought to do, we have this alone remaining, that we direct our eyes to you.”

New American Bible
O our God, will you not bring judgment on them? We are powerless before this vast multitude that is coming against us. We ourselves do not know what to do, so our eyes are turned toward you.”

New Revised Standard Version
O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O our God, make thyself known and judge them, for we have no strength to stand before them; bring upon them the sword of thy judgment, for we do not know what to do; but our eyes are upon thee.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH, our God, be revealed and judge them, because there is no power in us to stand before them! Bring upon them the sword of your judgment! And we do not know what we will do, for we lift up our eyes unto you!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
O our God, wilt Thou not execute judgment on them? for we have no might against this great multitude that cometh against us; neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon Thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
O Lord our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no strength to resist this great multitude that is come against us; and we know not what we shall do to them: but our eyes are toward thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehoshaphat's Prayer
11See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession that You gave us as an inheritance. 12Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 13Meanwhile all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, were standing before the LORD.…

Cross References
Psalm 121:1-2
A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? / My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 123:1-2
A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven. / As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes are on the LORD our God until He shows us mercy.

Isaiah 37:14-20
So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. / And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: / “O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. ...

Exodus 14:13-14
But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Psalm 25:15
My eyes are always on the LORD, for He will free my feet from the mesh.

Psalm 141:8
But my eyes are fixed on You, O GOD the Lord. In You I seek refuge; do not leave my soul defenseless.

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

1 Samuel 17:47
And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

Psalm 46:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. / Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

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.

Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.


Treasury of Scripture

O our God, will you not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are on you.

wilt

Deuteronomy 32:36
For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

Judges 11:27
Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

1 Samuel 3:13
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

we have

2 Samuel 14:11
Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

1 Samuel 14:6
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

2 Corinthians 1:8,9
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: …

neither

2 Kings 6:15
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

our eyes

Psalm 25:15
Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Psalm 121:1,2
A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help…

Psalm 123:1,2
A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens…

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Army Attacking Company Equal Execute Eyes Face Great Judge Judgment Multitude Power Powerless Presence Strength Vast Wilt
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Army Attacking Company Equal Execute Eyes Face Great Judge Judgment Multitude Power Powerless Presence Strength Vast Wilt
2 Chronicles 20
1. Jehoshaphat, invaded by Moab, proclaims a fast
5. His prayer
14. The prophecy of Jahaziel
20. Jehoshaphat exhorts the people, and sets singers to praise the Lord
22. The great overthrow of his enemies
26. The people, having blessed God at Berachah, return in triumph
31. Jehoshaphat's reign
35. His convoy of ships, according to the prophecy of Eliezer, unhappily perishes.














O our God
This phrase is a direct address to the God of Israel, emphasizing a personal and covenantal relationship. The Hebrew word for God here is "Elohim," which denotes majesty and power. The use of "our" signifies a collective identity and reliance on God, reflecting the communal faith of the Israelites. Historically, this invocation is a reminder of the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it underscores the Israelites' dependence on God as their ultimate protector and judge.

will You not judge them?
The plea for judgment is rooted in the Hebrew word "shaphat," which means to govern or to vindicate. This reflects a deep trust in God's justice and righteousness. In the historical context, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, is appealing to God to act as the divine judge against the invading armies. This request is not just for deliverance but for God to uphold His moral order and covenantal promises.

For we are powerless
The acknowledgment of powerlessness is a profound expression of humility and recognition of human limitations. The Hebrew root "ayin" conveys a sense of lacking or being without. This admission is crucial in the biblical narrative, as it sets the stage for divine intervention. It reflects a theological truth that human strength is insufficient without God's aid, a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

before this vast army
The term "vast army" highlights the overwhelming odds faced by Judah. The Hebrew word "hamon" can mean a multitude or a great number, emphasizing the sheer size and threat of the enemy forces. Historically, this situation is dire, as Judah is surrounded by a coalition of enemies. This phrase serves to magnify the impending danger and the need for divine intervention.

that comes against us
This phrase indicates an imminent threat and a direct confrontation. The Hebrew verb "bo" means to come or to approach, suggesting an advancing force. The historical context here is critical, as it reflects the real and present danger faced by the people of Judah. This confrontation is not just physical but also spiritual, as it challenges the faith and trust of God's people.

We do not know what to do
This confession of uncertainty is a candid admission of human limitation and the need for divine guidance. The Hebrew phrase "lo yada" means not knowing or lacking understanding. This moment of vulnerability is pivotal, as it opens the way for God to demonstrate His wisdom and power. It is a call to faith, trusting in God's omniscience and providence.

but our eyes are upon You
The phrase "our eyes are upon You" is a powerful declaration of faith and dependence. The Hebrew word "ayin" for eyes symbolizes focus, attention, and expectation. This is a turning point in the narrative, where the people of Judah choose to look to God rather than their circumstances. It is an act of worship and trust, acknowledging that their deliverance and hope rest in God's hands. This posture of looking to God is a timeless principle for believers, encouraging a steadfast gaze upon the Lord amidst life's challenges.

(12) Wilt thou not judge them?--Exercise judgment in them, i.e., upon them (here only.) LXX., ?? ??????? ?? ??????.

This great company.--Multitude (2Chronicles 14:11) Syriac, "for there is not in us might to stand before them: bring the sword of Thy judgment against them."

Neither know we.--And for our part we know not what to do.

But our eyes are upon thee.--For our eyes are towards thee ('al='el). We neither know nor deliberate upon a suitable plan of resistance, for our whole thought is centred upon Thee and Thine omnipotence. For the metaphor, comp. Psalm 25:15, "Mine eyes are ever toward ('el) Jehovah," and Psalm 123:2; Psalm 141:8. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
O our God,
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

will You not
הֲלֹ֣א (hă·lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

judge
תִשְׁפָּט־ (ṯiš·pāṭ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

them?
בָּ֔ם (bām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we are powerless
אֵ֥ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

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

this
הַזֶּ֖ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

vast
הָרָ֛ב (hā·rāḇ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

army
הֶהָמ֥וֹן (he·hā·mō·wn)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth

that comes
הַבָּ֣א (hab·bā)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

against us.
עָלֵ֑ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

We
וַאֲנַ֗חְנוּ (wa·’ă·naḥ·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

do not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
נֵדַע֙ (nê·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

what
מַֽה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

to do,
נַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה (na·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

but
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

our eyes [are]
עֵינֵֽינוּ׃ (‘ê·nê·nū)
Noun - cdc | first person common plural
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

upon You.”
עָלֶ֖יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 20:12 Our God will you not judge them? (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
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