2 Chronicles 32:1-26 ▼

1 After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria (a step) came and invaded Judah (praised). He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself.

2 When Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) saw that Sennacherib had come to make war against Jerusalem (city of peace),

3 he consulted with his leaders and mighty men about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out.

4 Many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings [king] of Assyria (a step) come and find plenty of water?” they said.

5 Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces \the Millo/ of the City of David (beloved), and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.

6 Hezekiah appointed military commanders over the people and gathered the people in the square of the city gate. Then he encouraged them, saying,

7 “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria (a step) and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.

8 With him is only the arm of flesh (He has only the strength of his own flesh), but with us is the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) king of Judah (praised).

9 Later, as Sennacherib king of Assyria (a step) and all his forces besieged Lachish (invincible), he sent his servants to Jerusalem (city of peace) with a message for King Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) of Judah (praised) and all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem:

10 “This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria (a step) says: What is the basis of your⁺ confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem (city of peace) under siege?

11 Is not Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) misleading you⁺ to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria (a step)?’

12 Did not Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace), ‘You⁺ must worship before one altar, and on it you⁺ shall burn sacrifices’?

13 Do you⁺ not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Have the gods of these nations ever been able to deliver their land from my hand?

14 Who among all the gods of these nations that my fathers devoted to destruction {cherem} has been able to deliver his people from my hand? How then can your⁺ God {Eloheikem} deliver you⁺ from my hand?

15 So now, do not let Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) deceive you⁺, and do not let him mislead you⁺ like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your⁺ God {Eloheikem} deliver you⁺ from my hand!”

16 And the servants of Sennacherib spoke further against the LORD God {YHWH Elohim} and against His servant Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength).

17 He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), and saying against Him: “Just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) will not deliver His people from my hand.”

18 Then the Assyrians called out loudly in Hebrew (in the dialect of Judah) to the people of Jerusalem (city of peace) who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them in order to capture the city.

19 They spoke against the God {Elohe} of Jerusalem (city of peace) as they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth—the work of human hands.

20 In response, King Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) and the prophet Isaiah (YHWH has saved) son of Amoz (strong) cried out to heaven in prayer,

21 and the LORD {YHWH} sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria (a step). So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword.

22 So the LORD {YHWH} saved Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) and the people of Jerusalem (city of peace) from the hands of King Sennacherib of Assyria (a step) and all others, and He gave them rest on every side.

23 Many brought offerings to Jerusalem (city of peace) for the LORD {YHWH} and valuable gifts for Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) king of Judah (praised), and from then on he was exalted in the eyes of all nations.

24 In those days Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD {YHWH}, who spoke to him and gave him a sign.

25 But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace).

26 Then Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) humbled the pride of his heart—he and the people of Jerusalem (city of peace)—so that the wrath of the LORD {YHWH} did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.