2 chronicles 12:3 - with twelve hundred chariots, and sixty thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians.

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 12:3

What does "2 chronicles 12:3" mean?


This verse from 2 Chronicles 12:3 describes the immense military force led by Shishak, king of Egypt, when he invaded Judah during the reign of Rehoboam. Let's break it down:

"With twelve hundred chariots, and sixty thousand horsemen": This highlights the formidable size and technological prowess of Shishak's army. Chariots were a powerful military asset at the time, and a large number of horsemen further emphasized the strength of the Egyptian forces.

"The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt": This suggests that in addition to the chariots and horsemen, Shishak had a massive infantry force, so large that the author couldn't (or didn't) quantify it precisely. This would have included soldiers of varying skill and equipment.

"The Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians": This specifies some of the allied or mercenary groups that made up Shishak's army. These were likely peoples from regions under Egyptian influence or who were hired as soldiers:

Lubim: These are generally believed to be Libyans, from the region west of Egypt. They were often employed as mercenaries in Egyptian armies.
Sukkiim: The exact identity of the Sukkiim is less certain. Some scholars believe they were also from North Africa, possibly connected to the area of modern Sudan.
Ethiopians: This refers to people from the region of Cush (modern Sudan and parts of Ethiopia). Cushites were known for their military skills and were often incorporated into Egyptian armies.

In summary, the verse emphasizes the overwhelming size and diverse composition of Shishak's army, highlighting the significant threat it posed to Judah. It shows that Shishak didn't just rely on his own Egyptian forces but also drew upon a network of allies and mercenaries, making his invasion a major undertaking.

Significance within the biblical narrative:

This verse sets the stage for the narrative that follows, which explains why Shishak invaded Judah. According to the biblical text, it was a consequence of the Israelites forsaking God. The invasion served as a divine punishment for their unfaithfulness, resulting in the plundering of Jerusalem and its temple. This event illustrates the Deuteronomic theology prevalent in the books of Kings and Chronicles, where obedience to God is rewarded, and disobedience leads to negative consequences.