King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 33:14 Mean?

2 Chronicles 33:14 in the King James Version says “Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. Ophel: or, the tower”

2 Chronicles 33:14 · KJV

Context

12

And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

13

And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

14

Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. Ophel: or, the tower

15

And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

16

And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.

Read 2 Chronicles 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's mercy even to the worst sinner who truly repents. 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
וְאַֽחֲרֵי1 of 24

“Now after this”

H310

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

כֵ֡ן2 of 24
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

בָּנָ֣ה3 of 24

“he built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

חוֹמָ֣ה4 of 24

“a wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

חִֽיצוֹנָ֣ה׀5 of 24

“without”

H2435

properly, the (outer) wall side; hence, exterior; figuratively, secular (as opposed to sacred)

הֶֽעָרִ֥ים6 of 24

“cities”

H5892

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

דָּוִ֡יד7 of 24

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מַעְרָבָה֩8 of 24

“on the west side”

H4628

the west (as a region of the evening sun)

לְגִיח֨וֹן9 of 24

“of Gihon”

H1521

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

בַּנַּ֜חַל10 of 24

“in the valley”

H5158

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

וְלָב֨וֹא11 of 24

“even to the entering in”

H935

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

בְשַׁ֤עַר12 of 24

“gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַדָּגִים֙13 of 24

“at the fish”

H1709

a fish (often used collectively)

וְסָבַ֣ב14 of 24

“and compassed”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

לָעֹ֔פֶל15 of 24

“about Ophel”

H6077

ophel, a ridge in jerusalem

וַיַּגְבִּיהֶ֖הָ16 of 24

“and raised it up”

H1361

to soar, i.e., be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty

מְאֹ֑ד17 of 24

“a very great height”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וַיָּ֧שֶׂם18 of 24

“and put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שָֽׂרֵי19 of 24

“captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

חַ֛יִל20 of 24

“of war”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

בְּכָל21 of 24
H3605

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

הֶֽעָרִ֥ים22 of 24

“cities”

H5892

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

הַבְּצֻר֖וֹת23 of 24

“in all the fenced”

H1219

to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)

בִּֽיהוּדָֽה׃24 of 24

“of Judah”

H3063

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

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 33:14 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 33:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 1:332 Chronicles 27:3Nehemiah 3:3Zephaniah 1:10Nehemiah 12:392 Chronicles 32:30

Places in This Verse

City of DavidSettlement · Modern: City of David · 31.77°N, 35.24°E46 verses across 7 books
Fish GateGate · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E4 verses across 3 books
Gihon 2Spring · Modern: Gihon Spring · 31.77°N, 35.24°E6 verses across 2 books
KidronRiver · Modern: Kidron River · 31.78°N, 35.24°E14 verses across 7 books
OphelHill · Modern: Ophel · 31.78°N, 35.24°E5 verses across 2 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 33 →

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