2 Chronicles 20:36 Meaning and Explanation
“And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah jointly build merchant ships at Eziongaber (on the Red Sea) to trade with distant Tarshish.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 20:36
Jehoshaphat partners with Ahaziah in a mercantile venture, abandoning spiritual discernment.
What Does 2 Chronicles 20:36 Mean?
The specific project is commercial: building ships for long-distance trade with Tarshish, a distant trading hub. Eziongaber was Judah's major port on the Red Sea, making it an ideal shipyard. The partnership for commercial gain represents Jehoshaphat abandoning reliance on God's provision and instead seeking wealth through human alliance and maritime commerce.
This choice echoes the pattern of other Judahite kings who made political alliances that compromised their relationship with God. The detailed description of the shipbuilding project shows this was a major undertaking, not a minor negotiation. Jehoshaphat is investing substantially in a partnership with the wicked.
2 Chronicles 20:36 in the Original Language
Tarshish was a distant land associated with maritime trade; Eziongaber is identified as Elath in 1 Kings 9:26.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 20:36
What does 2 Chronicles 20:36 mean?
Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah jointly build merchant ships at Eziongaber (on the Red Sea) to trade with distant Tarshish.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 20:36?
Jehoshaphat partners with Ahaziah in a mercantile venture, abandoning spiritual discernment.