King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 32:7 Mean?

2 Chronicles 32:7 in the King James Version says “Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:

2 Chronicles 32:7 · KJV


Context

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

7

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:

8

With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. rested: Heb. leaned

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Facing Assyrian invasion, Hezekiah exhorts Judah: 'Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.' This echoes Jehoshaphat (20:15) and anticipates Elisha's prayer (2 Kings 6:16). The paradox - Assyria's visible army vastly outnumbered Judah, yet 'more with us' - reveals faith seeing invisible spiritual realities. Hezekiah clarifies (32:8) that Assyria has only 'an arm of flesh' while Judah has 'the LORD our God... to fight our battles.' This demonstrates that spiritual arithmetic defies human calculation. Christ's promise 'I am with you always' similarly assures that divine presence outweighs all opposition.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sennacherib's invasion (701 BCE) threatened Jerusalem with Assyria's military machine that had conquered numerous nations. Hezekiah's faith in God's presence rather than military strategy resulted in miraculous deliverance (32:21-22) when the angel killed 185,000 Assyrians.

Reflection Questions

  1. What overwhelming odds are you facing where you need faith to see 'more with us than with them'?
  2. How does recognizing enemies as having only 'an arm of flesh' while you have the LORD change your perspective?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
חִזְק֣וּ1 of 18

Be strong

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

וְאִמְצ֔וּ2 of 18

and courageous

H553

to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)

אַל3 of 18
H408

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

תִּֽירְא֣וּ4 of 18

be not afraid

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וְאַל5 of 18
H408

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

תֵּחַ֗תּוּ6 of 18

nor dismayed

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

וּמִלִּפְנֵ֖י7 of 18

for

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מֶ֣לֶךְ8 of 18

the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֔וּר9 of 18

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

וּמִלִּפְנֵ֖י10 of 18

for

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כָּל11 of 18
H3605

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

הֶֽהָמ֣וֹן12 of 18

nor for all the multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

אֲשֶׁר13 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עִמּ֑וֹ14 of 18
H5973

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

כִּֽי15 of 18
H3588

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

עִמָּ֥נוּ16 of 18
H5973

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

רַ֖ב17 of 18

that is with him for there be more

H7227

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

מֵֽעִמּֽוֹ׃18 of 18
H5973

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


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 32:7 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 32:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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