2 Chronicles 20:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jehoshaphat opens his prayer by declaring God's universal sovereignty and power over all nations.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 20:6
Jehoshaphat's prayer grounds his petition in theology: who God is and what He can do.
What Does 2 Chronicles 20:6 Mean?
The prayer begins with doctrinal affirmations about God's nature and authority. Jehoshaphat anchors his plea in the character of God—the God of the covenant fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). He affirms that God's rule extends over all kingdoms, not merely Judah, and that power and might reside entirely in His hands.
These are not rhetorical questions but theological assertions disguised as questions. By framing them as questions, Jehoshaphat invites God to reaffirm these truths through action. The prayer assumes that if God is truly sovereign over all nations, then the current invading armies pose no ultimate threat to His purposes.
2 Chronicles 20:6 in the Original Language
The address 'O LORD God of our fathers' echoes covenant language, linking Jehoshaphat to Abraham (Gen. 12) and the ancestral promises.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 20:6
What does 2 Chronicles 20:6 mean?
Jehoshaphat opens his prayer by declaring God's universal sovereignty and power over all nations.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 20:6?
Jehoshaphat's prayer grounds his petition in theology: who God is and what He can do.