King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 32:30 Mean?

2 Chronicles 32:30 in the King James Version says “This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the cit...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.”

2 Chronicles 32:30 · KJV

Context

28

Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.

29

Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

30

This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

31

Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. ambassadors: Heb. interpreters

32

Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. goodness: Heb. kindnesses

Read 2 Chronicles 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

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
וְה֣וּא1 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ2 of 17

“And Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

סָתַם֙3 of 17

“also stopped”

H5640

to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret

אֶת4 of 17
H853

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

מוֹצָ֞א5 of 17

“watercourse”

H4161

a going forth, i.e., (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or product; specifically, dawn, the rising of the sun (the east), ex

מֵימֵ֤י6 of 17
H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

גִיחוֹן֙7 of 17

“of Gihon”

H1521

gichon, a river of paradise; also a valley (or pool) near jerusalem

הָֽעֶלְי֔וֹן8 of 17

“the upper”

H5945

an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme

וַֽיַּישְּׁרֵ֥ם9 of 17

“and brought it straight”

H3474

to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous

לְמַֽטָּה10 of 17

“down”

H4295

downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes

מַּעְרָ֖בָה11 of 17

“to the west side”

H4628

the west (as a region of the evening sun)

לְעִ֣יר12 of 17

“of the city”

H5892

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

דָּוִ֑יד13 of 17

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיַּצְלַ֥ח14 of 17

“prospered”

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ15 of 17

“And Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

בְּכָֽל16 of 17
H3605

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

מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ׃17 of 17

“in all his works”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

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 32:30 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 32:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 1:33Isaiah 22:9-111 Kings 1:382 Kings 20:201 Kings 1:452 Chronicles 32:4

Places in This Verse

City of DavidSettlement · Modern: City of David · 31.77°N, 35.24°E46 verses across 7 books
Gihon 2Spring · Modern: Gihon Spring · 31.77°N, 35.24°E6 verses across 2 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 32 →

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