2 Chronicles 20:27 Meaning and Explanation
“Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel returns to Jerusalem with joy and celebration, with Jehoshaphat leading, because the Lord has given them complete victory and gladness.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 20:27
Israel's return to Jerusalem completes the narrative arc: from crisis to covenant to joy.
What Does 2 Chronicles 20:27 Mean?
The return journey becomes a joy-filled procession. The detail that Jehoshaphat leads 'in the forefront' continues his pattern of faithful leadership. The phrase 'the LORD had made them to rejoice' emphasizes that joy is not merely human emotion but is the fruit of God's work. The enemies who threatened destruction are now the occasion of rejoicing—a complete inversion of the emotional landscape from verse 3, where fear dominated.
This is not triumphalism but gratitude. The people are not celebrating their own strength but God's faithfulness. The joy is 'over their enemies'—they recognize that their victory came not from their own martial prowess but from God's intervention on their behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 20:27
What does 2 Chronicles 20:27 mean?
Israel returns to Jerusalem with joy and celebration, with Jehoshaphat leading, because the Lord has given them complete victory and gladness.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 20:27?
Israel's return to Jerusalem completes the narrative arc: from crisis to covenant to joy.