King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 32:33 Mean?

2 Chronicles 32:33 in the King James Version says “And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead. chiefest: or, highest

2 Chronicles 32:33 · KJV


Context

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

33

And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead. chiefest: or, highest


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

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 · 21 words
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֨ב1 of 21

slept

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ2 of 21

And Hezekiah

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

עִם3 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲבֹתָ֗יו4 of 21

with his fathers

H1

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

וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻהוּ֮5 of 21

and they buried

H6912

to inter

בְּֽמַעֲלֵה֮6 of 21

him in the chiefest

H4608

an elevation, i.e., (concretely) acclivity or platform; abstractly (the relation or state) a rise or (figuratively) priority

קִבְרֵ֣י7 of 21

of the sepulchres

H6913

a sepulcher

בְנ֖וֹ8 of 21

his son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

דָוִיד֒9 of 21

of David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְכָבוֹד֙10 of 21

honour

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

עָֽשׂוּ11 of 21

did him

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

ל֣וֹ12 of 21
H0
בְמוֹת֔וֹ13 of 21

at his death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

כָּל14 of 21
H3605

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

יְהוּדָ֖ה15 of 21

and all Judah

H3063

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

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵ֣י16 of 21

and the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם17 of 21

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ18 of 21

reigned

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה19 of 21

And Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

בְנ֖וֹ20 of 21

his son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

תַּחְתָּֽיו׃21 of 21
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc


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 32:33 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 32:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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