Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
17:12-19 Jehoshaphat’s international status, building enterprises, and army characterized his great rule. Archaeological excavations have revealed a line of highway forts in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea dating to his time. • The number of troops in his army—totaling more than a million in Jerusalem—seems unreasonably high. Because the leaders were based on tribal divisions (17:14), it is possible that the term translated as “thousand” (’elep) should instead be translated as “squad” or “platoon,” a much smaller military unit. The totals might also include reserve divisions that served on rotation (see 1 Chr 27:1-15). The number of troops credited to Jehoshaphat is approximately triple those of Abijah (2 Chr 13:3), Asa (14:8), Amaziah (25:5), and Uzziah (26:11-15). It is comparable to the number of warriors at the time of David’s census (1 Chr 21:5), when soldiers from the northern tribes were counted. A large army was an indication of God’s blessing.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
17:12-19 Jehoshaphat’s international status, building enterprises, and army characterized his great rule. Archaeological excavations have revealed a line of highway forts in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea dating to his time. • The number of troops in his army—totaling more than a million in Jerusalem—seems unreasonably high. Because the leaders were based on tribal divisions (17:14), it is possible that the term translated as “thousand” (’elep) should instead be translated as “squad” or “platoon,” a much smaller military unit. The totals might also include reserve divisions that served on rotation (see 1 Chr 27:1-15). The number of troops credited to Jehoshaphat is approximately triple those of Abijah (2 Chr 13:3), Asa (14:8), Amaziah (25:5), and Uzziah (26:11-15). It is comparable to the number of warriors at the time of David’s census (1 Chr 21:5), when soldiers from the northern tribes were counted. A large army was an indication of God’s blessing.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And he had much business in the cities of Judah; and men of war, strong and valiant, in Jerusalem.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And he had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
He had much property in the towns of Judah; he had forces of armed men, great and strong, in Jerusalem.