2 Chronicles 20:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jehoshaphat exposes the ingratitude of these nations: they attack Judah despite God's past mercy, seeking to seize God's gift to Israel.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 20:11
Jehoshaphat frames the military crisis as an attack on God's covenant promises and His generosity.
What Does 2 Chronicles 20:11 Mean?
The enemies' attack is portrayed as an act of profound ingratitude. God showed them mercy; they respond with warfare. The land they seek to capture is not Judah's private property but 'thy possession'—a gift from God to Israel as an inheritance. By attacking, they are not merely attacking a neighboring kingdom but attempting to seize what God has given.
This rhetorical move places the conflict in a cosmic context: it is not simply a territorial dispute between nations but an assault on the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Jehoshaphat's complaint implicitly asks: Will You allow Your gift and Your word to be violated by those You once spared?
2 Chronicles 20:11 in the Original Language
'Possession' (achuzza; אֲחֻזָּה) means inheritance or property; Jehoshaphat is reminding God that the land is His gift.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 20:11
What does 2 Chronicles 20:11 mean?
Jehoshaphat exposes the ingratitude of these nations: they attack Judah despite God's past mercy, seeking to seize God's gift to Israel.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 20:11?
Jehoshaphat frames the military crisis as an attack on God's covenant promises and His generosity.