King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 32:9 Mean?

2 Chronicles 32:9 in the King James Version says “After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, a...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Chronicles 32:9 · KJV

Context

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

10

Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem? siege: or, strong hold

11

Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

Read 2 Chronicles 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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,

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 · 24 words
אַ֣חַר1 of 24

“After”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

זֶ֗ה2 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

שָׁ֠לַח3 of 24

“send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

סַנְחֵרִ֨יב4 of 24

“this did Sennacherib”

H5576

sancherib, an assyrian king

מֶ֣לֶךְ5 of 24

“king”

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֤וּר6 of 24

“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

עֲבָדָיו֙7 of 24

“his servants”

H5650

a servant

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם8 of 24

“that were at Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְהוּא֙9 of 24
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

עַל10 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לָכִ֔ישׁ11 of 24

“but he himself laid siege against Lachish”

H3923

lakish, a place in palestine

וְכָל12 of 24
H3605

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

מֶמְשַׁלְתּ֖וֹ13 of 24

“and all his power”

H4475

rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler

עִמּ֑וֹ14 of 24
H5973

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

עַל15 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙16 of 24

“with him unto Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

מֶ֣לֶךְ17 of 24

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֛ה18 of 24

“and unto all Judah”

H3063

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

וְעַל19 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל20 of 24
H3605

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

יְהוּדָ֛ה21 of 24

“and unto all Judah”

H3063

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר22 of 24
H834

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

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם23 of 24

“that were at Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לֵאמֹֽר׃24 of 24

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 32:9 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 32:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 18:17Joshua 10:31Isaiah 37:8Isaiah 36:2Joshua 12:11Joshua 15:39

Places in This Verse

AssyriaRegion · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E141 verses across 15 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
LachishSettlement · Modern: Tell ed Duweir · 31.57°N, 34.85°E22 verses across 7 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 32 →

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