Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageThe moment they began to sing and praise, Yahweh Himself set an ambush against the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—and they were utterly defeated.
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GAnd when they began to sing and praise, YHWH set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moav, and Har Se'ir who had come against Yehudah—and they were routed.
KJV
King James VersionAnd when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
BSB
Berean Standard BibleThe moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.
Footnotes
The syntax is arresting: YHWH sets the ambush (*me'arbim*, מְאָרְבִים) precisely at the onset of praise, not at the clash of weapons. The Chronicler makes a deliberate theological statement—worship is the weapon. YHWH acts as the divine warrior (cf. Exod. 14:24; Judg. 5:20), and the army's only task is to march and sing. This principle—that spiritual realities shift through praise before physical realities shift through force—will echo in the apostolic writings (2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:10–18).
