Definition: 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.
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 14:8. It describes a very powerful army in ancient Israel! Here's the explanation in simpler terms:
Basically, it says:
“Asa, the king of Judah, had a huge and well-equipped army – about 300,000 soldiers – made up of people from both Judah and Benjamin. These men were incredibly strong and brave.”
Let’s unpack that a little further:
“And Asa…”
: This refers to King Asa, a powerful ruler in ancient Israel.
“…had an army [of men]…”
: He assembled a large group of soldiers.
“…that bare targets and spears…”
: This means they were armed with swords, spears, shields, and other weapons. They were ready for battle.
"...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.”
: This is the really important part. It tells us
who
they were:
Three hundred thousand from Judah:
This number refers to the people of Judah – a specific region in Israel.
Two hundred and fourscore thousand from Benjamin:
This number refers to the people of Benjamin, who were known for their bravery and military skills. The word "thousand" means a thousand – so 20,000
thousand
is 200,000.
“all these [were] mighty men of valour.”
: This is the key phrase! It emphasizes that these soldiers were exceptionally strong, skilled, and determined. "Valor" means bravery and courage in battle.
The Context:
This verse comes before a story about God’s judgment on Judah. Asa was trying to protect his people from a threat, and this powerful army is presented as a result of their dedication and military strength.
In short, it describes a large, well-trained army in ancient Israel, composed primarily of the people of Judah and Benjamin, who were known for their bravery.
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Do you want me to:
Explain
why
this verse is significant?
Compare it to another Bible passage about military strength?