King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 32:1 Mean?

2 Chronicles 32:1 in the King James Version says “After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encampe...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. to win: Heb. to break them up”

2 Chronicles 32:1 · KJV

Context

1

After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. to win: Heb. to break them up

2

And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, he was: Heb. his face was to war

3

He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.

Read 2 Chronicles 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's deliverance of the faithful; pride's danger even after blessing. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אַֽחֲרֵ֨י1 of 17

“After”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַדְּבָרִ֤ים2 of 17

“these things”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וְהָֽאֱמֶת֙3 of 17

“and the establishment”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

הָאֵ֔לֶּה4 of 17
H428

these or those

וַיָּבֹ֣א5 of 17

“and entered”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

סַנְחֵרִ֣יב6 of 17

“thereof Sennacherib”

H5576

sancherib, an assyrian king

מֶֽלֶךְ7 of 17

“king”

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֑וּר8 of 17

“of Assyria”

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וַיָּבֹ֣א9 of 17

“and entered”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בִֽיהוּדָ֗ה10 of 17

“into Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיִּ֙חַן֙11 of 17

“and encamped”

H2583

properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s

עַל12 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הֶֽעָרִ֣ים13 of 17

“cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַבְּצֻר֔וֹת14 of 17

“against the fenced”

H1219

to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר15 of 17

“and thought”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְבִקְעָ֥ם16 of 17

“to win”

H1234

to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

אֵלָֽיו׃17 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 32:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 32:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 18:13-372 Kings 15:19Isaiah 7:17-182 Kings 18:11Hosea 11:5Isaiah 36:1-37:38

Places in This Verse

AssyriaRegion · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E141 verses across 15 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 32 →

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