King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 32:11 Mean?

2 Chronicles 32:11 in the King James Version says “Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall de...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?”

2 Chronicles 32:11 · KJV

Context

9

After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying, power: Heb. dominion

10

Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem? siege: or, strong hold

11

Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

12

Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?

13

Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?

Read 2 Chronicles 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

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 · 16 words
הֲלֹ֤א1 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙2 of 16

“Doth not Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

מַסִּ֣ית3 of 16

“persuade”

H5496

properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce

אֶתְכֶ֔ם4 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לָתֵ֣ת5 of 16

“you to give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶתְכֶ֔ם6 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לָמ֛וּת7 of 16

“over yourselves to die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בְּרָעָ֥ב8 of 16

“by famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּבְצָמָ֖א9 of 16

“and by thirst”

H6772

thirst (literally or figuratively)

לֵאמֹ֑ר10 of 16

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה11 of 16

“The LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ12 of 16

“our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יַצִּילֵ֕נוּ13 of 16

“shall deliver”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

מִכַּ֖ף14 of 16

“us out of the hand”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

מֶ֥לֶךְ15 of 16

“of the king”

H4428

a king

אַשּֽׁוּר׃16 of 16

“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

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 32:11 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 32:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 32:15Isaiah 36:182 Kings 19:10Psalms 22:82 Kings 18:302 Kings 18:27

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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