II Chronicles 32
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
After these things - God did not permit this pious prince to be disturbed till he had completed the reformation which he had begun.
Open source ↗SENNACHERIB INVADES JUDAH. (2Ch. 32:1-20) After these things, and the establishment thereof--that is, the restoration of the temple-worship. The precise date is given, Kg2 18:13. Determined to recover the independence of his country, Hezekiah had decided to refuse to pay the tribute which his father had bound himself to pay to Assyria. Sennacherib . . . entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities--The whole land was ravaged; the strong fortresses of Ashdod (Isa 20:1) and Lachish had fallen; the siege of Libnah had commenced, when the king of Judah, doubting his ability to resist, sent to acknowledge his fault, and offer terms of submission by paying the tribute. The commencement of this Assyrian war was disastrous to Hezekiah (Kg2 18:13). But the misfortunes of the early period of the war are here passed over, as the historian hastens to relate the remarkable deliverance which God wrought for His kingdom of Judah.
Open source ↗After these things, and the establishment thereof,.... What are recorded in the preceding chapters, when matters were well settled, especially with respect to religion and temple service, and when Hezekiah was well established in the throne of his kingdom, had fought with and defeated the Philistines, and cast off the Assyrian yoke, and was in very prosperous circumstances; for it was in the fourteenth year of his reign that what follows was done: Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself; or to break them, or into them; or through them (y) to break down the walls to take them, and join them to himself, as the Targum, and he did take them, see Kg2 18:13. (y) "ad perrumpendum eas", Montanus; "diffindere illas", Piscator; "abscindere", Schmidt.
Open source ↗The reign of Manasseh; cf. 2 Kings 21:1-18. - The characteristics of this king's reign, and of the idolatry which he again introduced, and increased in a measure surpassing all his predecessors (Ch2 33:1-9), agrees almost verbally with Kg2 21:1-9. Here and there an expression is rhetorically generalized and intensified, e.g., by the plurals לבּעלים and אשׁרות (Ch2 33:3) instead of the sing. לבּעל and אשׁרה (Kings), and בּנין (Ch2 33:6) instead of בּנו (see on Ch2 28:3); by the addition of וכשּׁף to ונחשׁ עונן, and of the name the Vale of Hinnom, Ch2 33:6 (see on Jos 15:18, גּי for גּיא); by heaping up words for the law and its commandments (Ch2 33:8); and other small deviations, of which הסּמל פּסל (Ch2 33:7) instead of האשׁרה פּסל (Kings) is the most important. The word סמל, sculpture or statue, is derived from Deu 4:16, but has perhaps been taken by the author of the Chronicle from Eze 8:3, where סמל probably denotes the statue of Asherah. The form עילום for עולם (Ch2 33:7) is not elsewhere met with.
Open source ↗Here is, I. The formidable design of Sennacherib against Hezekiah's kingdom, and the vigorous attempt he made upon it. This Sennacherib was now, as Nebuchadnezzar was afterwards, the terror and scourge and great oppressor of that part of the world. He aimed to raise a boundless monarchy for himself upon the ruins of all his neighbours. His predecessor Shalmaneser had lately made himself master of the kingdom of Israel, and carried the ten tribes captives. Sennacherib thought, in like manner, to win Judah for himself. Pride and ambition put men upon grasping at universal dominion. It is observable that, just about this time, Rome, a city which afterwards came to reign more than any other had done over the kings of the earth, was built by Romulus. Sennacherib invaded Judah immediately after the reformation of it and the re-establishment of religion in it: After these things he entered into Judah, Ch2 32:1. 1. It was well ordered by the divine Providence that he did not give them this disturbance before the reformation was finished and established, as it might then have put a stop to it. 2. Perhaps he intended to chastise Hezekiah for destroying that idolatry to which he himself was devoted. He looked upon Hezekiah as profane in what he had done, and as having thrown himself out of the divine protection. He accordingly considered him as one who might easily be made a prey of. 3. God ordered it at this time that he might have an opportunity of showing himself strong on the behalf of this returning reforming people. He brought this trouble upon them that he might have the honour, and might put on them the honour, of their deliverance. After these things, and the establishment thereof, one would have expected to hear of nothing but perfect peace, and that none durst meddle wi…
Open source ↗32:1-23 The Chronicler summarizes in twenty-three verses the lengthy account of the siege against Jerusalem (cp. 2 Kgs 18:17–19:37; Isa 36–38). God’s response to the attack of King Sennacherib of Assyria was a blessing that resulted from Judah’s and Hezekiah’s faithfulness in seeking the Lord.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness סַנְחֵרִיב (Çanchêrîyb, H5576) — Sancherib, an Assyrian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… בָּצַר (bâtsar, H1219) — to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָּקַע (bâqaʻ, H1234) — to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
Open source ↗יְחִזְקִיָּה (Yᵉchizqîyâh, H3169) — Jechizkijah, the name of five Israelites רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… סַנְחֵרִיב (Çanchêrîyb, H5576) — Sancherib, an Assyrian king בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant סָתַם (çâtham, H5640) — to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עָזַר (ʻâzar, H5826) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid
Open source ↗קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… סָתַם (çâtham, H5640) — to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret מַעְיָן (maʻyân, H4599) — a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction) נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… שָׁטַף (shâṭaph, H7857) — to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or…
Open source ↗חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection פָּרַץ (pârats, H6555) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… מִגְדָּל (migdâl, H4026) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed… אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors מִלּוֹא (millôwʼ, H4407) — a rampart (as filled in), i.e. the citadel עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֶׁלַח (shelach, H7973) — a missile of attack, i.e. spear; also (figuratively) a shoot of growth; i.e. branch מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect רְחֹב (rᵉchôb, H7339) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… אָמַץ (ʼâmats, H553) — to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten חָתַת (châthath, H2865) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Open source ↗זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָזַר (ʻâzar, H5826) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְחִזְקִיָּה (Yᵉchizqîyâh, H3169) — Jechizkijah, the name of five Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… סַנְחֵרִיב (Çanchêrîyb, H5576) — Sancherib, an Assyrian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine לָכִישׁ (Lâkîysh, H3923) — Lakish, a place in Palestine מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshâlâh, H4475) — rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler יְחִזְקִיָּה (Yᵉchizqîyâh, H3169) — Jechizkijah, the name of five Israelites יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) סַנְחֵרִיב (Çanchêrîyb, H5576) — Sancherib, an Assyrian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מָצוֹר (mâtsôwr, H4692) — something hemming in, i.e. (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege,… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗יְחִזְקִיָּה (Yᵉchizqîyâh, H3169) — Jechizkijah, the name of five Israelites סוּת (çûwth, H5496) — properly, to prick, i.e. (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) צָמָא (tsâmâʼ, H6772) — thirst (literally or figuratively) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them…
Open source ↗יְחִזְקִיָּה (Yᵉchizqîyâh, H3169) — Jechizkijah, the name of five Israelites סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application חָרַם (châram, H2763) — to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction);… יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?
In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.
Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom.
The king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.
One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate, and go out by it. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader.