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. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant? Compare it to another Bible passage about military strength?