2 Crônicas 27

2 Crônicas 27

Barnes writes that "The productiveness of the Ammonite country in grain, which is here indicated, has been remarked upon as extraordinary by modern travellers." TECHNICAL NOTE - 10, 000 kors is estimated to be roughly 1,600 to 2,250 tons of grain each year, a massive amount of grain. While there is disagreement among scholars on the weight of the talent, the amount of silver would be in the range of 3.25 to 3.75 tons which today would be worth around $7.5 million USD per year. Looked at another way one source says 10,000 talents represented 200,000 years of wage! To grasp the actual scale, consider this historical comparison. Josephus calculated the total annual tax yield of all Palestine at only 8,000 talents, meaning the 10,000-talent sum exceeded the entire region’s yearly tax revenue. This underscores that the amount was essentially incomprehensible—potentially exceeding all currency in circulation in the region at the time. Keep in mind these are just approximations to help give you a sense of the large size of the tribute to Jotham. That Jotham prevailed (chazaq; LXX - katischuo - dominated or overpowered) suggests more than a single battle, but indicates a campaign that broke the Ammonite's resistance and placed them in a tributary relationship. The payment demanded was enormous for 100 talents of silver (several tons) together with massive stores of grain demonstrated both the wealth of Ammon and the authority Judah over them (See Ancient Near East WEIGHTS). That the tribute continued for three consecutive years proves this was not a temporary victory but a period of continued submission by the Ammonites. God was granting Jotham external peace and prosperity because of his faithfulness, once again demonstating the principle that obedience often blessing. An Example of the "Much More" the LORD has to give! Charles Ryrie says "The silver was equivalent to 120,000 oz (3.75 tons, or 3.4 metric tons). 10,000 kors is equivalent to 60,000 bushels (2,200 kl). The Lord did what was promised in 2Ch 25:9! (“The LORD has much more to give you than this.”) (Borrow Ryrie Study Bible Expanded Edition) J.A. Thompson: While Uzziah’s main success in battle was against the Philistines (2Ch 26:6-7) and the Ammonites paid him tribute (2Ch 26:8), Jotham fought only the Ammonites (war against the Ammonites is recorded only here). Apparently they had stopped paying the tribute. This tribute seems to us to be very large. A hundred talents of silver is about 3.4 metric tons, and 10,000 cors of barley probably is about 62,000 bushels. The tribute apparently ceased again after three years, perhaps due to the rising power of Aram-Damascus in the area. (The New American Commentary – 1, 2 Chronicles) Prevailed (02388) chazaq conveys the basic meaning of to be or become strong, to make strong or strengthen, in the Hiphil to take hold of or seize. Taking hold of something with determination. To overpower. Chazaq can describe physical strength, inner resolve or courage, political power, spiritual steadfastness and God strengthening a person. Chazaq describes strength of humans to overpower (David and Goliath 1 Sa 17:50, cf 1 Sa 17:35 = seized;, Amnon and Tamar = 2 Sa 13:14), in a battle, to capture (2 Chr 8:3), Samson's last demonstration of supernatural strength he prays "please strengthen me" (Jdg 16:28). 2 Chronicles 26:8 “And his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, for he became very strong (חָזַק מְאֹד – chāzaq me’od).” 2 Chronicles 26:9 Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate and at the Valley Gate and at the corner buttress and fortified (chazaq) them. 2 Chronicles 26:15 “Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong (עַד־כִּי חָזַק).” His strength was not self-generated but was the result of God’s help 2 Chronicles 26:16 The Turning Point “But when he became strong (וּכְחֶזְקָתוֹ – ukhechezqato), his heart was lifted up to his destruction…” This verse shows the tragic irony God caused Uzziah to chāzaq (become strong) but Uzziah interpreted that strength as his own Strength that begins as God’s gift can become man’s downfall when gratitude turns into pride. CHAZAQ IN SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES - 1 Sam. 4:9; 1 Sam. 15:27; 1 Sam. 17:35; 1 Sam. 17:50; 1 Sam. 23:16; 1 Sam. 30:6; 2 Sam. 1:11; 2 Sam. 2:7; 2 Sam. 2:16; 2 Sam. 3:1; 2 Sam. 3:6; 2 Sam. 3:29; 2 Sam. 10:11; 2 Sam. 10:12; 2 Sam. 11:25; 2 Sam. 13:11; 2 Sam. 13:14; 2 Sam. 13:28; 2 Sam. 15:5; 2 Sam. 16:21; 2 Sam. 18:9; 2 Sam. 24:4; 1 Ki. 1:50; 1 Ki. 2:2; 1 Ki. 2:28; 1 Ki. 9:9; 1 Ki. 16:22; 1 Ki. 20:22; 1 Ki. 20:23; 1 Ki. 20:25; 2 Ki. 2:12; 2 Ki. 3:26; 2 Ki. 4:8; 2 Ki. 4:27; 2 Ki. 12:5; 2 Ki. 12:6; 2 Ki. 12:7; 2 Ki. 12:8; 2 Ki. 12:12; 2 Ki. 12:14; 2 Ki. 14:5; 2 Ki. 15:19; 2 Ki. 22:5; 2 Ki. 22:6; 2 Ki. 25:3; 1 Chr. 11:10; 1 Chr. 19:12; 1 Chr. 19:13; 1 Chr. 21:4; 1 Chr. 22:13; 1 Chr. 26:27; 1 Chr. 28:7; 1 Chr. 28:10; 1 Chr. 28:20; 1 Chr. 29:12; 2 Chr. 1:1; 2 Chr. 7:22; 2 Chr. 8:3; 2 Chr. 11:11; 2 Chr. 11:12; 2 Chr. 11:17; 2 Chr. 12:13; 2 Chr. 13:7; 2 Chr. 13:8; 2 Chr. 13:21; 2 Chr. 15:7; 2 Chr. 15:8; 2 Chr. 16:9; 2 Chr. 17:1; 2 Chr. 19:11; 2 Chr. 21:4; 2 Chr. 23:1; 2 Chr. 24:5; 2 Chr. 24:12; 2 Chr. 25:3; 2 Chr. 25:8; 2 Chr. 25:11; 2 Chr. 26:8; 2 Chr. 26:9; 2 Chr. 26:15; 2 Chr. 26:16; 2 Chr. 27:5; 2 Chr. 27:6; 2 Chr. 28:15; 2 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 29:3; 2 Chr. 29:34; 2 Chr. 31:4; 2 Chr. 32:5; 2 Chr. 32:7; 2 Chr. 34:8; 2 Chr. 34:10; 2 Chr. 35:2; QUESTION - Who were the Ammonites? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - Throughout the early history of Israel, we find references to the Ammonite people. Who were they, where did they come from, and what happened to them? The Ammonites were a Semitic people, closely related to the Israelites. Despite that relationship, they were more often counted enemies than friends. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, was the progenitor of the Ammonites. (ED: SEE BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE OF FAMILY TREE) After Abraham and Lot separated (Genesis 13), Lot settled in the city of Sodom. When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness, Lot and his daughters fled to the hill country on the southern end of the Dead Sea. Probably thinking they were the only people left on the earth, Lot’s daughters got him drunk and had incestuous relations with him to produce children (Genesis 19:37-38). The older daughter had a son named Moab (“from father”), and the younger gave birth to Ben-Ammi (“son of my people”). The Ammonites, descendants of Ben-Ammi, were a nomadic people who lived in the territory of modern-day Jordan, and the name of the capital city, Amman, reflects the name of those ancient inhabitants. In the time of Moses, the fertile plains of the Jordan River valley were occupied by the Amorites, Ammonites and Moabites. When Israel left Egypt, the Ammonites refused to assist them in any way, and God punished them for their lack of support (Deuteronomy 23:3-4). Later, however, as the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God instructed them, “When you approach the territory of the people of Ammon, do not harass them or contend with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot for a possession” (Deuteronomy 2:19). The Israelite tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh claimed the Amorite territory bordering that of the Ammonites. The Ammonites were a pagan people who worshiped the gods Milcom and Molech. God commanded the Israelites not to marry these pagans, because intermarriage would lead the Israelites to worship false gods. Solomon disobeyed and married Naamah the Ammonite (1 Kings 14:21), and, as God had warned, he was drawn into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8). Molech was a fire-god with the face of a calf; his images had arms outstretched to receive the babies who were sacrificed to him. Like their god, the Ammonites were cruel. When Nahash the Ammonite was asked for terms of a treaty (1 Samuel 11:2), he proposed gouging out the right eye of each Israelite man. Amos 1:13 says that the Ammonites would rip open pregnant women in the territories they conquered. Under King Saul’s leadership, Israel defeated the Ammonites and made them vassals. David continued that sovereignty over Ammon and later besieged the capital city to solidify his control. After the split of Israel and Judah, the Ammonites began to ally themselves with the enemies of Israel. (ED: KING JOTHAM SUBDUED THEM IN 748-742 - 2Ch 27:5) Ammon regained some sovereignty in the seventh century B.C., until Nebuchadnezzar conquered them about a hundred years later. Tobiah the Ammonite (Nehemiah 2:19) was possibly a governor of the region under Persian rule, but the inhabitants were a mix of Ammonites, Arabs, and others. By New Testament times, Jews had settled in the area, and it was known as Perea. The last mention of Ammonites as a separate people was in the second century by Justin Martyr, who said they were very numerous. Sometime during the Roman period, the Ammonites seem to have been absorbed into Arab society. 2 Chronicles 27:6 So Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God. KJV So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God. NET Jotham grew powerful because he was determined to please the LORD his God. Heb "because he established his ways before the LORD his God." BGT καὶ κατίσχυσεν Ιωαθαμ ὅτι ἡτοίμασεν τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ ἔναντι κυρίου θεοῦ αὐτοῦ LXE Joatham grew strong, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. CSB So Jotham strengthened himself because he did not waver in obeying the LORD his God. ESV So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God. NIV Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God. NLT King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the LORD his God. YLT And Jotham doth strengthen himself, for he hath prepared his ways before Jehovah his God. NJB Jotham became powerful because he kept an unswerving course before Yahweh his God. NAB Thus Jotham continued to grow strong because he lived resolutely in the presence of the LORD, his God. GWN Jotham grew powerful because he was determined to live as the LORD his God wanted. Jotham: 2Ch 26:5 he ordered his ways, 2Ch 19:3 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 26:16+ But when he became strong (chazaq), his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. THE SECRET OF JOTHAM'S MIGHT HE WAS MIGHTY IN THE LORD So Jotham became mighty (chazaq) because he ordered (kun; LXX - hetoimazo = put/kept in readiness; prepared; made ready) his ways before (panim/paniym) the LORD his God - Don't miss the striking contrast related to the same verb mighty/strong (chazaq). The father's response is pride. The son's source of mighty is because he followed Jehovah. The clear implication is that he did not become prideful in the face of becoming mighty! Uzziah focused on self, while his son Jotham focused on God. 🙏 THOUGHT - One wonders if Jotham had read and prayed the words of the psalmist "Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!" (Ps 119:5) Would this not be a good prayer with which we each might frequently approach the Throne of grace (Heb 4:16+)? That's rhetorical of course! Why not consider praying this passage (not vain repetition of course) over the next 30 days as you wait upon the Lord and see what His Spirit might do. (cf Isa 40:31+). Because - Term of explanation. What's the writer explaining? He ordered (kun; LXX - hetoimazo = put/kept in readiness; prepared; made ready) his ways (his life, his choices, his decisions) before (panim/paniym) the LORD his God - NAB = "Thus Jotham continued to grow strong because he lived resolutely in the presence of the LORD, his God." Note it does not say before the LORD God, but the LORD HIS God, which speaks of a personal relationship! This personal relationship conveys the need for personal responsibility, indicating he chose to walk carefully before the LORD his God, not casually or occasionally, but with thoughtful purpose. This ordering was done before the LORD his God, reminding us that true strength grows out of living in God’s presence, conscious that every step is taken under His gaze. The Chronicler presents a clear principle—spiritual order precedes outward blessing; character shapes destiny. Jotham’s growing influence was the fruit of a heart kept in alignment with heaven. Indeed, the secret of Jotham’s strength is traced not to military genius or political strategy but to deliberate, intentional preparatr spiritual discipline. The phrase “ordered his ways” (kun) carries the idea of being firm and established, prepared and determined. The idea is setting firmly in place, like a builder who lays a straight foundation before raising the walls. Jotham intentionally prepared his daily conduct, decisions, and priorities to align with the revealed will of God. In the LXX ordered is translated with the Greek verb hetoimazo which means to prepare, to make ready, to put in a state of readiness. The clear implication is that Jotham put his heart in a state of readiness. He prepared to meet with and hear from Yahweh! Then he stepped out intentonally aligning his steps with God's will! 🙏 THOUGHT - After you arise and take your first step out of bed in the morning, do you also figuratively prepare your steps to meet with the Lord of the Universe? And then do your steps throughout the day reflect that your first step was to hear His voice? If so, your life will be mighty in the Lord! P.S. How's your morning quiet time? JOTHAM WALKED CORAM DEO The phrase before (panim/paniym = face) the LORD his God is notable as panim/paniym which means Jotham walked before the face of the Lord, or as we might say today CORAM DEO, BEFORE THE FACE OF GOD! In the Septuagint before is the preposition enanti which means in the presence of or in the sight of. Now think about this for a moment. His walk was such that "he was determined to please the LORD his God" (2Chr 27:6NET). Now consider the declaration and promise in 2Ch 16:9+ that "the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." Surely this explains to some degree why Jotham is the only king in either Judah or Israel about which there is nothing negative recorded! The recognition of God’s presence is the foundation-stone of all prosperity. 🙏 THOUGHT - Does this truth in Jotham's life motivate you to desire to carry out a 2Ch 16:9a+ walk? What would change in the way I ordered my steps if I truly grasped that I live CORAM DEO—before the face of God? If I genuinely believed that the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth, seeking to strengthen those whose hearts are wholly His, my daily choices would take on new weight and new joy. I would plan, speak, and respond not to impress people or to earn favor, but to please the One Who sees every motive (cf pleasing God - Col 1:10+, 1Th 4:1+, 2Ti 2:4+, Heb 13:21+). My priorities would shift from merely avoiding wrong to eagerly pursuing what honors Him. Prayer would become less of a duty and more of a conversation, obedience less a burden and more a privilege. To walk CORAM DEO is not legalism but just the opposite! It is liberation, freedom in Christ! It means ordering my steps with grateful awareness that God is there His Spirit guiding, empowering, and delighting in sincere faith. Like Jotham, I would seek to “prepare my ways before the LORD” with humility, consistency, and dependence, trusting that faithfulness in small, unseen moments shapes a life that stands firm when tested. The question is not, “What must I do to measure up?” (works mindset) but rather, “How can I walk today as one who is already seen, loved, and strengthened by God?” (grace mindset) Bob