2 Chronicles 20:36
New International Version
He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber,

New Living Translation
Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber.

English Standard Version
He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber.

Berean Standard Bible
They agreed to make ships to go to Tarshish, and these were built in Ezion-geber.

King James Bible
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.

New King James Version
And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.

New American Standard Bible
So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

NASB 1995
So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

NASB 1977
So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

Legacy Standard Bible
So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

Amplified Bible
He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish [for trade], and they built them in Ezion-geber.

Christian Standard Bible
Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

American Standard Version
and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

Contemporary English Version
They agreed to build several seagoing ships at Ezion-Geber.

English Revised Version
and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jehoshaphat joined him in making ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber.

Good News Translation
At the port of Eziongeber they built ocean-going ships.

International Standard Version
He also agreed with King Ahaziah to build ships to sail toward Tarshish, which they built in Ezion-geber.

Majority Standard Bible
They agreed to make ships to go to Tarshish, and these were built in Ezion-geber.

NET Bible
They agreed to make large seagoing merchant ships; they built the ships in Ezion Geber.

New Heart English Bible
and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

World English Bible
He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he joins him with himself to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they make ships in Ezion-Geber,

Young's Literal Translation
and he joineth him with himself to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they make ships in Ezion-Geber,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will join himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they will make the ships in Ezion-Geber.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he was partner with him in making ships, to go to Tharsis: and they made the ships in Asiongaber.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he was a partner in the making of ships, which would go to Tarshish. And they made the fleet at Eziongeber.

New American Bible
He joined with him in building ships to go to Tarshish; the fleet was built at Ezion-geber.

New Revised Standard Version
He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish; they built the ships in Ezion-geber.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-gaber.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he came to him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and he made ships in the city Eetsinugbar.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and he joined him with himself to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
by acting with and going to him, to build ships to go to Tharsis: and he built ships in Gasion Gaber.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehoshaphat's Fleet is Wrecked
35Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. 36They agreed to make ships to go to Tarshish, and these were built in Ezion-geber. 37Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.” So the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish.…

Cross References
1 Kings 22:48-49
Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail, because they were wrecked at Ezion-geber. / At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants sail with your servants,” but Jehoshaphat refused.

Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Proverbs 28:19
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:5
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.

Ezekiel 27:27
Your wealth, wares, and merchandise, your sailors, captains, and shipwrights, your merchants and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board, will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall.

Hosea 4:17
Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!

Amos 3:3
Can two walk together without agreeing where to go?

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

Luke 12:16-21
Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...

John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

Acts 5:38-39
So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. / But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.


Treasury of Scripture

And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.

1 Kings 22:28,49
And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you…

1 Kings 10:22
For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

Tharshish

1 Kings 9:26
And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.

Ezion-geber

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Agreed Allied Building Built Construct Ezion Eziongaber Ezion-Geber E'zion-Ge'ber Fleet Geber Joined Joineth Ships Tarshish Together Trading
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Agreed Allied Building Built Construct Ezion Eziongaber Ezion-Geber E'zion-Ge'ber Fleet Geber Joined Joineth Ships Tarshish Together Trading
2 Chronicles 20
1. Jehoshaphat, invaded by Moab, proclaims a fast
5. His prayer
14. The prophecy of Jahaziel
20. Jehoshaphat exhorts the people, and sets singers to praise the Lord
22. The great overthrow of his enemies
26. The people, having blessed God at Berachah, return in triumph
31. Jehoshaphat's reign
35. His convoy of ships, according to the prophecy of Eliezer, unhappily perishes.














So he agreed with him
This phrase indicates a mutual decision or alliance. In the Hebrew context, the word "agreed" can imply a covenant or a binding agreement. Historically, alliances were common among kings for economic or military purposes. This agreement reflects a strategic partnership, which, while practical, also suggests a reliance on human wisdom rather than divine guidance. In the broader biblical narrative, alliances with foreign powers often led to spiritual compromise.

to make ships
The construction of ships signifies a significant economic venture. In ancient times, shipbuilding was a complex and resource-intensive process, indicating a substantial investment. The Hebrew word for "ships" (אֳנִיּוֹת, 'oniyyot) suggests vessels capable of long voyages, hinting at the ambition for extensive trade. This endeavor reflects a desire for wealth and expansion, which, while not inherently wrong, can lead to misplaced trust in material prosperity over spiritual faithfulness.

to go to Tarshish
Tarshish is often associated with distant lands rich in resources, possibly located in the western Mediterranean. The mention of Tarshish evokes images of wealth and exotic goods, as it was a renowned trading destination. Biblically, Tarshish represents the far reaches of the known world, symbolizing human ambition and the pursuit of worldly gain. This pursuit, however, can distract from reliance on God, as seen in other scriptural accounts where Tarshish is mentioned.

and they built the ships
The act of building ships underscores human initiative and industriousness. In the Hebrew context, building (בָּנָה, banah) is a creative act, often associated with establishing something enduring. However, the success of such endeavors is contingent upon divine blessing. The construction of these ships, while a testament to human skill, ultimately serves as a reminder that without God's favor, even the most well-laid plans can falter.

in Ezion-geber
Ezion-geber was a port city on the Red Sea, strategically located for trade routes. Archaeological findings suggest it was a hub of commerce and industry during the time of the kings of Israel and Judah. The choice of Ezion-geber as the shipbuilding site highlights its importance as a gateway to the wealth of distant lands. However, the historical context also serves as a cautionary tale, as reliance on such strategic locations without seeking God's guidance often led to downfall, as seen in the broader narrative of Israel's history.

(36) And he joined himself with him.--Literally, and he joined him with himself, an expression only occurring here.

To make ships to go to Tarshish.--In 1Kings 22:48-49, we read: "Jehoshaphat made ships (i.e., a fleet) of Tarshish, to go to Ophir for gold; and it went not; for the ships were broken (i.e., wrecked) in Ezion-geber. Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships; and Jehoshaphat consented not." There is no mention of a previous alliance and partnership in the ship-building with Ahaziah. Moreover, the expression of our text, "ships to go to Tarshish," appears to be an erroneous paraphrase of "ships of Tarshish," or "Tarshish-men," as we might say; a phrase which really means, vessels built for long sea-voyages. According to Kings, the ships were built "to go to Ophir for gold;" in other words, to renew Solomon's traffic with India from the port on the Red Sea.

And they made the ships in Ezion-gaber.--The Edomite port at the head of the Gulf of Akaba. If Tarshish means the Phoenician Tartessus in Spain, the fleet could only go thither by doubling the Cape, or crossing the Isthmus of Suez. Therefore some have supposed another Tarshish somewhere in the Persian Gulf or on the north-west coast of India. (See on 2Chronicles 9:21.)

Verse 36. - This verse tells us the object with which Jehoshaphat had joined himself with Ahaziah, and 1 Kings 22:49 tells us how at last, by a point-blank refusal to Ahaziah, he withdrew from the very brief commercial alliance after he had not merely been witnessed against by the Prophet Eliezer spoken of in our next verse, but more decisively witnessed against by the shattering of his ships. To go to Tarshish. This clause, even if the text is not corrupt, yet cannot mean what it seems to say; but in the word "to go" (Hebrew, לָלֶכֶת) must mean, of the sort that were wont to go to Tarshish, i.e. that were used for the Tarshish trade. We are guided to some such explanation by 1 Kings 22:48, where it is said the ships were "ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir" (1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 8:18). That the ships could not be to go to Tarshish is plain from the fact of the place, Ezion-geber (2 Chronicles 8:17, 18; 1 Kings 9:26), on the Red Sea, where they were built. Some, however, have suggested that some other Tarshish (e.g. in the Gulf of Persia)than that of Spain (Tartessus) may conceivably be meant. The clear statement of the parallel saves the necessity of any such supposition, however.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They agreed
וַיְחַבְּרֵ֣הוּ (way·ḥab·bə·rê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2266: To unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm

to make
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

ships
אֳנִיּ֖וֹת (’o·nî·yō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 591: A ship

to go
לָלֶ֣כֶת (lā·le·ḵeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to Tarshish,
תַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ (tar·šîš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8659: Tarshish -- a son of Javan, also a port on the Mediterranean, also a Benjamite

and these were built
וַיַּעֲשׂ֥וּ (way·ya·‘ă·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

in Ezion-geber.
גָּֽבֶר׃ (gā·ḇer)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6100: Ezion-geber -- a city on the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 20:36 And he joined himself with him (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
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