King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 32:4 Mean?

2 Chronicles 32:4 in the King James Version says “So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of t...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water? ran: Heb. overflowed”

2 Chronicles 32:4 · KJV

Context

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.

4

So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water? ran: Heb. overflowed

5

Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. darts: or, swords, or, weapons

6

And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, spake: Heb. he spoke to their heart

Read 2 Chronicles 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?

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 · 20 words
וַיִּקָּֽבְצ֣וּ1 of 20

“So there was gathered”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

עַם2 of 20

“people”

H5971

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

רַבִּֽים׃3 of 20

“much”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וַֽיִּסְתְּמוּ֙4 of 20

“who stopped”

H5640

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

אֶת5 of 20
H853

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

כָּל6 of 20
H3605

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

הַמַּעְיָנ֔וֹת7 of 20

“all the fountains”

H4599

a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)

וְאֶת8 of 20
H853

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

הַנַּ֛חַל9 of 20

“and the brook”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

הַשּׁוֹטֵ֥ף10 of 20

“that ran”

H7857

to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer

בְּתוֹךְ11 of 20

“through the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הָאָ֖רֶץ12 of 20

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֵאמֹ֑ר13 of 20

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֤מָּה14 of 20
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יָב֙וֹאוּ֙15 of 20

“come”

H935

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

מַלְכֵ֣י16 of 20

“Why should the kings”

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֔וּר17 of 20

“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

וּמָֽצְא֖וּ18 of 20

“and find”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

מַ֥יִם19 of 20

“water”

H4325

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

רַבִּֽים׃20 of 20

“much”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

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 32:4 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 32:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 32:302 Chronicles 30:141 Kings 3:92 Kings 20:202 Kings 19:17Isaiah 10:8

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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