King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 32:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 32:15 in the King James Version says “Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any ... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

2 Chronicles 32:15 · KJV


Context

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?

14

Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?

15

Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

16

And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah.

17

He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

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 · 32 words
וְעַתָּ֡ה1 of 32
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אַל2 of 32
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יַשִּׁיא֩3 of 32

deceive

H5377

to lead astray, i.e., (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce

אֶתְכֶ֨ם4 of 32
H853

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

חִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ5 of 32

Hezekiah

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

וְאַל6 of 32
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יַסִּ֨ית7 of 32

you nor persuade

H5496

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

אֶתְכֶ֣ם8 of 32
H853

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

כָּזֹאת֮9 of 32
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְאַל10 of 32
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּֽאֲמִ֣ינוּ11 of 32

you on this manner neither yet believe

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

לוֹ֒12 of 32
H0
כִּי13 of 32
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹֽא14 of 32

Now therefore let not

H3808

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

יוּכַ֗ל15 of 32

was able

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

כָּל16 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֱל֙וֹהַ֙17 of 32

him for no god

H433

a deity or the deity

כָּל18 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גּ֣וֹי19 of 32

of any nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

וּמַמְלָכָ֔ה20 of 32

or kingdom

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

יַצִּ֥ילוּ21 of 32

deliver

H5337

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

עַמּ֛וֹ22 of 32

his people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מִיָּדִֽי׃23 of 32

and out of the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מִיָּדִֽי׃24 of 32

and out of the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֲבוֹתָ֑י25 of 32

of my fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אַ֚ף26 of 32
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

כִּ֣י27 of 32
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֱֽלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם28 of 32

how much less shall your 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

לֹֽא29 of 32

Now therefore let not

H3808

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

יַצִּ֥ילוּ30 of 32

deliver

H5337

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

אֶתְכֶ֖ם31 of 32
H853

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

מִיָּדִֽי׃32 of 32

and out of the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


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 32:15 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 32:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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