Who was Jahaziel in the Bible?

Jahaziel was a Levite, a descendant of Asaph, who served as a prophet in the time of King Jehoshaphat. He is known for delivering a crucial message from God's Spirit to the king and the people of Judah (2 Chronicles 20:14).

What was Jahaziel's prophecy in 2 Chronicles?

Jahaziel prophesied that King Jehoshaphat and Judah would not need to fight in an upcoming battle; they were to stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord. This prophecy brought encouragement and led to a great victory (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

Why is Jahaziel's story important?

Jahaziel's story highlights God's faithfulness in responding to prayer and fasting with direct guidance. It demonstrates that victory comes from trusting God's word, not military strength, and serves as a powerful example of prophetic encouragement in crisis.

Jahaziel

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLevite

Jahaziel, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, prophesied by the Spirit of the Lord that Jehoshaphat would have victory over his enemies (2Ch.20.14).

Jahaziel

Biography

Jahaziel was a Levite of the Asaphite line who served in the court of King Jehoshaphat of Judah during a moment of acute national crisis. When a vast coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites invaded from beyond the Dead Sea, Jehoshaphat called all Judah to prayer and fasting. In the assembly at Jerusalem, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, and he stood up to deliver a prophetic oracle: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's' (2 Chronicles 20:15). His prophecy directed the people to march out the next day and simply take their positions, they would not need to fight. The outcome was precisely as Jahaziel prophesied: the invading armies destroyed one another, and Judah collected spoil for three days.

Significance

Jahaziel's prophecy in 2 Chronicles 20 is one of the Old Testament's most memorable declarations of trust in divine warfare. His word, that the battle belonged to God, became the theological foundation for Jehoshaphat's remarkable response of appointing singers to lead the army while praising God. The episode stands as a defining illustration of faith: the entire nation's deliverance came not through military prowess but through believing and acting on a prophetic word. Jahaziel demonstrates how God equips ordinary servants with extraordinary words at critical moments, and his message has resonated across centuries as an enduring call to surrender human self-reliance and trust wholly in the God who fights for His people.

Authority Records

Wikidata

Verse Appearances (1)

2Chr

2Chr 20:14

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources