2 Chronicles 14:9 Meaning and Explanation
“And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Ethiopian king Zerah attacks Judah with an enormous army and chariots, advancing toward Mareshah.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 14:9
A major military threat to Judah emerges from an external enemy.
What Does 2 Chronicles 14:9 Mean?
An external threat emerges without warning. Zerah, an Ethiopian or Cushite ruler, marches against Judah with a massive force described as 'a thousand thousand'—one million soldiers (a conventional hyperbolic figure in ancient Near Eastern military reporting)—plus 300 chariots. He advances to Mareshah, a strategic city in southern Judah, evidently intending invasion and conquest.
This sudden military crisis tests everything Asa has built: his religious reforms, his fortified cities, his army. The scale of Zerah's force vastly outnumbers Asa's 580,000 soldiers. Despite Asa's preparations, the situation appears militarily desperate, setting the stage for what happens next.
2 Chronicles 14:9 in the Original Language
Zerah (זֶרַח) — possibly a Cushite/Ethiopian dynast; the large numbers reflect ancient military rhetoric rather than precise census.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 14:9
What does 2 Chronicles 14:9 mean?
The Ethiopian king Zerah attacks Judah with an enormous army and chariots, advancing toward Mareshah.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 14:9?
A major military threat to Judah emerges from an external enemy.