2 Crônicas 32
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 32
NJB (LXX versing) Sennacherib Invades Judah Sennacherib Boasts Against the Lord The Invasion of Sennacherib and the End of Hezekiah's Reign The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem Sennacherib's Invasion 32:1-8 32:1-8 32:1-8 32:1-8 32:1-4 32:5-8 Sennacherib Undermines Hezekiah Sennacherib's Blasphemous Ultimatum and Downfall 32:9-15 32:9-15 32:9-15 32:9-15 32:9-16 32:16-19 32:16-19 32:16-19 32:16-19 32:17-19 Hezekiah's Prayer Is Answered Sennacherib's Defeat and Death 32:20-23 32:20-23 32:20-23 32:20-21 32:20-23 32:22-23 Hezekiah Humbles Himself Hezekiah's Illness and Pride The Closing Years of Hezekiah's Reign 32:24-26 32:24-26 32:24-26 32:24-26 32:24-26 Hezekiah's Wealth and Honor Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor 32:27-31 32:27-30 32:27-31 32:27-31 32:27-29 32:30-31 32:31 Death of Hezekiah The End of Hezekiah's Reign 32:32-33 32:32-33 32:32-33 32:32-33 32:32-33 Etc.
2 Crônicas 32:1-8
32:1 This period of conflict is also recorded in 2 Kgs. 18:13-19,37 Isa. 36:1-37:38 For Sennacherib, King of Assyria, see SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF ASSYRIA. It is somewhat surprising that after Hezekiah's "faithfulness" (BDB 41, i.e., his spiritual reforms) that Assyria attacked. Usually invasion was a result of covenant disobedience. Here, it was a way to reveal YHWH's power and uniqueness to all the ANE a way to test Hezekiah (cf. 2 Chr. 32:31) 32:2-6 Hezekiah made several preparations for war. He trusted YHWH but he also prepared by cutting off the local spring so the Assyrian army would nave no water, v. 4 rebuilding the part of the city wall that had been broken down by Joash, the King of Israel (cf. 2 Chr. 25:23; Isa. 22:9-11), v. 5 building the towers on the wall higher, v. 5 building two walls of fortification (location unknown) strengthening the Millo (i.e., supporting terraces of the old city; see note at 2 Chr. 11:8), v. 5 making large numbers of weapons, v. 5 appointing military officers over the militia, v. 6 32:4 "through the region" NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA, REB "through the land" "through the country" "that separated the city" "through the midst of the land" The term "land" (BDB 75) has a wide semantic range. SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH 32:5 "the city of David" This refers to the old city of the Jebusites or the citadel in its midst. SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, ZION, JERUSALEM 32:7-8 The Chronicler records several speeches of godly Judean kings as a way to communicate theological truths. This speech has several wonderful theological affirmations. encouragement of YHWH's help, so fear not be strong ‒ BDB 304, KB 302, Qal IMPERATIVE be courageous ‒ BDB 54, KB 65, Qal IMPERATIVE do not fear ‒ BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense do not be dismayed ‒ BDB 369, KB 365, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense these same kinds of encouraging words were given: (1) Moses to Joshua ‒ Deut. 31:7-8,23 (2) YHWH to Joshua ‒ Josh. 1:6,7,9; 10:8 (3) Joshua to his military ‒ Josh. 10:25 (4) David to Solomon ‒ 1 Chr. 22:13; 28:20 theological truths the One with us is greater than the one with him (i.e., YHWH vs. Assyrian gods); notice similar imagery in 2 Kgs. 6:16; Ps. 118:6; Rom. 8:31 with him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and fight our battles (i.e., YHWH the Divine Warrior); notice similar imagery in Isa. 31:3; Jer. 17:5; there is more to reality than the physical! the people relied on the words of Hezekiah they trusted their leader's words (cf. 2 Kgs. 18:5 for Hezekiah's faith) They trusted their God Isaiah 22 seems to criticize Hezekiah for his military preparations but Chronicles does not
2 Crônicas 32:9-15
32:9-15 The king of Assyria tried to instill fear in the defenders of Jerusalem with a loud public messge (cf. 2 Kings 18). What are you trusting? (v. 10) Asserting that Hezekiah had given them false hope. (v. 11) Reminding them that Hezekiah had taken away their local worship sites (i.e., high places). v. 12 Look at our military victories, has any nation or their god been successful against us? (vv. 13-15, see note, IVP Bible Background Commentary [OT], p. 455) Do not let Hezekiah deceive you ‒ BDB 674, KB 728, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVEe sense mislead you ‒ BDB 694, KB 749, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense do not believe him ‒ BDB 52, KB 63, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense 32:9 Josephus, Antiq. 10.1.1., mentions the name of Sennacherib's military general as Rabshakeh his two commanders as Tartan Rab-saris (cf. 2 Kgs. 18:17) Josephus says Sennacherib ignored his promise not to besiege Jerusalem in light of Hezekiah's offer to pay a large tribute, mostly from the temple (cf. 2 Kgs. 18:13-16), but instead he attacked Egypt and Ethiopia but left a large military contingent to attack and destroy Jerusalem. Chronicles never mentions this attempted bribe of Hezekiah's. 32:11,15 "the hand of the king of Assyria" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND.
2 Crônicas 32:16-19
32:16-19 The king of Assyria sent letters to instill fear against Hezekiah's leadership. These letters insulted YHWH, v. 17. They asserted that no other national god had delivered their people and neither could YHWH, v. 17. The Assyrian messengers read this letter publicly and loudly, in Hebrew (cf. 2 Kgs. 18:26), before the walls of Jerusalem, v. 18. They asserted that YHWH was a manmade idol like the other gods of the nations, v. 19. The theological stage is set! YHWH must defend His name. He is not one of the gods of the nations; He is more powerful than the gods of Assyria. 32:16 This added comment seems to assume that the people of this post-exilic period knew the full account of the speech of 2 Kings 18 or Isa. 36:4-10. 32:18 This verse also assumes a familiarity with 2 Kgs. 18:26-37 or Isa. 36:11-20.
2 Crônicas 32:20-23
32:20 As is true of so much of Chronicles, its account is based on prophetic writings. Here, the great prophet Isaiah is named (cf. Isa. 36:1-37:38). Notice both the king and the great prophet prayed (cf. 2 Kings 19). YHWH answered in power (2 Chr. 32:21). This powerful act of deliverance is detailed in 2 Kgs. 19:35-37. Notice, too, the answered prayers. Hezekiah and Isaiah pray for military victory, v. 20. Hezekiah prays for healing, v. 24. Hezekiah prays for forgiveness, v. 26 (cf. 2 Chr. 7:14; 30:18,20). SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER 32:21 "the Lord sent an angel" This destroying angel is probably the same one that brought the last plague on Egypt (cf. Exodus 11). The mentioning of angels (BDB 521) is rare in Chronicles. the destroying angel of 1 Chronicles 21 the destroying angel here This is not the "angel of the Lord" that personifies Deity but the angel that brings judgment. Just one lexical note. The Hebrew root translated "destroy" (BDB 470, KB 469) normally means "hide." Only in the Hiphil stem does it rarely mean "destroy" (i.e., Exod. 23:23; 1 Kgs. 13:34; Ps. 83:4; Zech. 11:9). This implies that there were once two different roots with the same consonants. Remember, context, not lexicons, determines word meaning. Context, context, context! SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ANGEL OF THE Lord "his own children killed him" Sennacherib invaded in 701 b.c. (cf. 2 Kgs. 18:13, "in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah"). He was not assassinated until 681 b.c., some twenty years later when Esarhaddon became king. Josephus, Antiq. 10.1.5., gives the names of the son of Adrammelch and Seraser at the temple called Araske. The people exiled these sons to Armenia, and Esarhaddon became king (681 b.c.). SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF ASSYRIA 32:22 YHWH gave Judah "rest," which is the Chronicler's way of asserting that Hezekiah and the people's faith brought covenant blessings (i.e., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). NASB, NKJV, MT "and guided them on every side" NRSV, LXX, Vulgate "he gave them rest on every side" "He let the people live in peace" "he gave them peace on every side" "He provided for them on all sides" "He gave them respite on every side" The MT has "guided" (BDB 624, KB 675, Piel IMPERFECT with waw). The UBS Text Project, p. 480, suggests ("C" rating, meaning considerable doubt) an emendation that divides the Hebrew letters and adds one consonant. MT, "and he led them" ‒ וינהלם (BDB 624, KB 675) LXX translates as "and he gave them rest" ‒ וינה להם "Rest" (BDB 628, KB 679) is a recurrent covenant promise (i.e., Exod. 33:14; Deut. 3:20; 12:10; 25:19; Josh. 1:13,15; 21:44; 22:4; 23:1; 2 Sam. 7:1,11; 1 Kgs. 5:4; 1 Chr. 22:9,18; 23:25; 2 Chr. 14:6,7; 15:15; 20:30). 32:23 YHWH's actions on behalf of His people caused both fear and honor (i.e., bringing gifts). fear Exod. 15:14-16; 23:27 Deut. 2:25; 11:25 Josh. 2:9 1 Chr. 14:17 2 Chr. 17:10-11; 20:29 honor (i.e., bringing gifts) Exod. 3:22; 11:2; 12:35-36 2 Chr. 9:23-24; 17:10-11; 26:8; 32:23
2 Crônicas 32:24-26
32:24 This account of Hezekiah's illness and YHWH answering his prayer is found in 2 Kgs. 10:1-11; Isa. 28:1-8. "mortally ill" This illness is not specified in Chronicles but in 2 Kgs. 20:7; Isa. 38:21, it is related to a boil (BDB 1006), which was one of the plagues on Egypt ‒ Exod. 9:9-11 one of the consequences of covenant disobedience ‒ Deut. 28:27,35 Josephus, Antiq. 10.2.1., calls it "distemper" (physical) and "melancholy circumstances" (mental, i.e., no heir) "gave him a sign" The miracle is recorded in 2 Kgs. 20:8-9. The shadow from the sun moved backwards on the steps. 32:25 The account of Hezekiah's prideful act and its consequences is found in 2 Kgs. 20:12-21 (note v. 31 here). This does show that even godly people in good times still have a pull towards self! This is the residue of the Fall of Genesis 3. Hezekiah's pride brought terrible consequences, to his descendants and to all the people of Judah. His sin affected the whole nation! This same theological issue of corporality can be seen in Adam's sin of Genesis 3 ‒ Rom. 5:12-21 Achan's sin at Jericho ‒ Joshua 7 David's sin with Bathsheba ‒ 2 Samuel 11 Solomon's sin in his old age with his foreign wives ‒ 1 Kgs. 11:1-8 Messiah's substitutionary death ‒ Isaiah 53 "heart" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEART. 32:26 "humbled himself" This VERB (BDB 488, KB 484, Niphal IMPERFECT with waw, cf. 2 Chr. 7:14; 12:6,7,12; 30:11; 33:12,19,23; 34:27) is an idiom for repentance. Repentance changes hearts, minds, and circumstances. SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT)
2 Crônicas 32:27-31
32:27 "spices" It seems unusual to modern westerners that perfumes (BDB 141, lit. "spices") were a source of wealth (cf. 1 Kgs. 10:2,10,25; 2 Chr. 9:1,24; Ezek. 27:22). In 2 Kgs. 20:13 and Isa. 39:2 "spices" are linked with "precious oils" (BDB 1032 and BDB 373 II). See NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 774-775. The MT has "shields" (BDB 171) after "spices" and before "all kinds of courtly vessels" (BDB 479 CONSTRUCT BDB 326). The NET Bible suggests an emendation unsupported by the ancient versions which changes "shields," מגנים to "precious items," מגדנום (BDB 550, cf. v. 23). 32:29 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, JPSOA, LXX "cities" "donkeys" REB, Pehsitta omits "cities" The UBS Text Project, p. 481, gives "cities" an "A" rating. The NEB and REB follow the Peshitta, which lists only animals. The NOUN "cities" (BDB 746) has the same consonants as "donkeys" (BDB 747). Donkey fits better the list of animals in this verse. Donkeys were the royal mount of Israel's kings. Large flocks were a symbol of agricultural blessing from YHWH (i.e., Lev. 26:2-6) for covenant obedience (i.e., Deut. 8:13; 15:14; 28:4). 32:30 The Jewish Study Bible, p. 1816, suggests this verse may refer to the Siloam tunnel (cf. 2 Kgs. 20:20). See R. K. Harrison, Introduction to the Old Testament, p. 128. 32:31 "the wonder that had happened in the land" What "wonder" (lit. "sign," BDB 68, cf. 2 Chr. 32:24)? Because the term "wonder/sign" is used in vv. 24 and 31, most think it was Hezekiah's healing (cf. 2 Kgs. 20:12); possibly because they were astral worshipers and the "sign" involved the sun. But "in the land," along with "envoys of the rulers of Babylon, who were enemies of Assyria," I think it was the miraculous defeat of Sennacherib's large army (v. 1) who had not been defeated before this (vv. 21-22; cf. 2 Kgs. 19:35-37). Also note the information in 2 Kgs. 20:13-21 and Edwin M. Yamauchi, The Stones and the Scriptures, p. 80. SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD TESTS HIS PEOPLE "that He might know all that was in his heart" This is an idiom, not a theological affirmation, of "Open Theism." God often "tests" his people to demonstrate their faith (i.e., Genesis 3; 22; see Special Topic above). We must remember that God knows the motives of the human heart, which determine the appropriateness or inappropriateness of every action (cf. 1 Sam. 2:7; 16:7; 1 Kgs. 8:39; 1 Chr. 28:9; 2 Chr. 6:30;Ps. 7:9; 44:21; 139:1-4; Pro. 15:11; 21:2; Jer. 11:20; 17:9-10; 20:12; Luke 16:15; Acts 1:24; 15:8; Rom. 8:27).
2 Crônicas 32:32-33
32:32-33 This is a typical summary statement of a king's reign. Notice the two sources of information used by the Chronicler. writing of Isaiah royal document of the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel other sources about this period are found in James B. Pritchard, The Ancient Near East, vol. 1. Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem, pp. 199-201 Lachish Ostraca, pp. 212-214 also note Esarhaddon's Syro-Palestinian campaign, 2 Chronicles 33, pp. 201-202 The Chronicler uniquely used prophetic sources (cf. 1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29; 12:15; 13:22; 24:19-21; 26:22; 32:32; 33:19. 32:32 "his deeds of devotion" This is a secular use of the covenant word hesed (cf. Neh. 13:14). SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed) 32:33 "slept with his fathers" This is a Hebrew idiom for being buried in the royal tombs. The OT asserted a conscious, but gloomy, afterlife until judgment day (i.e., Dan. 12:2). SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD? "honored him" Honor (BDB 468 II) is used of several godly kings. David ‒ 1 Chr. 29:12,28 Solomon ‒ 1 Kgs. 3:13; 2 Chr. 1:11-12 Jehoshaphat ‒ 2 Chr. 17:5; 18:1 Hezekiah ‒ here Mostly the term is used of YHWH giving them honor, but here of the people of Judah and Jerusalem honoring Hezekiah at his burial.