2 Chronicles 20:25

“And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoil of them, etc.] Which was all they had to do; they had no need to fight, as they were told, the Lord had fought for them: they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies; rich garments on them, and gold and silver on them: and precious jewels, which they stripped of for themselves; with which their clothes, or some part of their bodies, were ornamented: more than they could carry away; they were so many, that they made too great a burden for them: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much; it took up so much time to strip the bodies, to search for their money and jewels, rings, chains, and…”

“Riches with the dead bodies - Several manuscripts give another reading: “riches, and garments.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Jewels - Which they brought with them to corrupt any of Jehoshaphat's officers as they saw occasion: to procure necessaries for their vast army from time to time: and because they came as to triumph rather than to fight, being confident of the victory because of their numbers, and especially because they thought to surprize Jehoshaphat ere he could make any considerable preparations against them; God also permitting them to be puffed up to their own destruction. 2 Chronicles 20:26”

“they found: Exo 12:35, Exo 12:36; Sa1 30:19, Sa1 30:20; Kg2 7:9-16; Psa 68:12; Rom 8:37 dead bodies: Instead of pegarim, "dead bodies," eight manuscripts and several ancient editions read begadim, "garments." None of the ancient versions, except the Chaldee, have dead bodies: garments would therefore appear to be the true reading; and the succeeding clause should be rendered, "which they seized for themselves." precious jewels: Exo 3:22; Num 31:15; Jdg 8:24-26; Pro 3:15 it was so much: Eze 39:8, Eze 39:9 2 Chronicles 20:26”

“So Jehoshaphat, with his people, came (as Jahaziel had announced, not to fight, but only to make booty) and found among them (בּהם, among or by the fallen) in abundance both wealth and corpses and precious vessels. The mention of פּגרים as part of the booty, between רכוּשׁ and the precious vessels, is somewhat surprising. Some Codd. (4 Kennic. and 3 de Rossi) and various ancient editions (Complut., the Brixenian used by Luther, the Bomberg. of date 1518 and 21, and the Mnster) have, instead of it, בּנדים; but it is very questionable if the lxx and Vulg. have it (cf. de Rossi Variae Lectt. ad h. l.). בּגדים, garments, along with רכוּשׁ, moveable property (cattle, tents, etc.), seems to suit…”