Lexical Summary Yruw'el: Jeruel Original Word: יְרוּאֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jeruel From yarah and 'el; founded of God; Jeruel, a place in Palestine -- Jeruel. see HEBREW yarah see HEBREW 'el Brown-Driver-Briggs יְרוּאֵל (founded of El proper name, of a location ׳מִדְבַּר י2Chronicles 20:16, ᵐ5 Ιεριηλ, not identified, probably part of wilderness of Judah, near Ziz (Wady Hªsâsah). Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting The “Wilderness of Jeruel” lies in the rugged hill country south-east of Jerusalem, somewhere between Tekoa and the western shores of the Dead Sea. Its position at the terminus of “the Ascent of Ziz” (2 Chronicles 20:16) made it a natural funnel through which armies moving up from the Arabah would pass. The topography allows for both concealment and sudden exposure; thus the narrow defile opens into a broader plain where opposing forces could be observed “at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel” (2 Chronicles 20:16). Historical Context Jeruel is mentioned during the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah (circa 873–849 BC). A vast coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites advanced on Judah. In response, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast and sought the LORD in the temple courts (2 Chronicles 20:3–13). The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel, who declared: “‘You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged; go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” (2 Chronicles 20:17) The place identified for the encounter was Jeruel. Obedient to the prophetic word, Jehoshaphat led singers ahead of the army, and the LORD set ambushes among the invaders so that they destroyed one another. The site soon echoed with praise instead of sword-clash, and the returning army renamed the nearby valley “Beracah” (Valley of Blessing). Theological Themes 1. Divine Initiative and Human Obedience Jeruel is a reminder that victory belongs to the LORD. Judah’s role was to believe, position itself, and watch (2 Chronicles 20:20–21). 2. Worship as Warfare The Levite choir marched toward Jeruel singing, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). Worship preceded deliverance, underscoring praise as a weapon of faith. 3. Seeing the Salvation of the LORD The people were commanded, “Stand firm and see” (2 Chronicles 20:17). Jeruel thus becomes an emblem of passive trust yielding active results—God fights for those who rest in His word. Lessons for Faith and Ministry • Face crises with fasting and unified prayer; the narrative begins in the temple before it moves to the battlefield. Related Places and Events • Tekoa – town north-west of Jeruel; gathering point for Jehoshaphat’s forces. Prophetic and Eschatological Resonance Jeruel foreshadows the eschatological pattern in which the LORD manifests salvation apart from human strength (Zechariah 14:3–4; Revelation 19:11–21). As Judah once stood still to see deliverance, the Church awaits the appearing of Christ, confident that “the battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47). Jeruel therefore speaks across the ages: God brings triumph out of desolation, turning wilderness into witness and terror into testimony. Forms and Transliterations יְרוּאֵֽל׃ ירואל׃ yə·rū·’êl yərū’êl yeruElLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 20:16 HEB: פְּנֵ֖י מִדְבַּ֥ר יְרוּאֵֽל׃ NAS: in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. KJV: before the wilderness of Jeruel. INT: front of the wilderness of Jeruel 1 Occurrence |
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