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?

2 CHRONICLES 32:11KJV
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2 Chronicles 32:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 32:11 mean?

2 Chronicles 32:11 records a challenge from the king of Assyria’s messengers, accusing King Hezekiah of misleading the people of Jerusalem by telling them to trust that the LORD would save them from the Assyrian army, even though this might lead to their suffering from hunger and thirst during a siege. The verse highlights the Assyrian attempt to undermine the people’s faith in their king and their God.

In this verse, the Assyrian spokesman is speaking to the people of Jerusalem, trying to shake their confidence in Hezekiah’s leadership and in the LORD’s (H3068) ability to deliver (H5337) them. The historical setting is the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, where the threat of famine (H7458) and thirst (H6772) was very real. The verse captures the psychological warfare used by the Assyrians to persuade (H5496) the people to surrender rather than trust in divine rescue.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:11

  • "Persuade" (סוּת, suth, H5496) means to incite or entice. Here, the Assyrian messenger frames Hezekiah’s encouragement as dangerous persuasion, suggesting he is leading the people into disaster.
  • "Deliver" (נָצַל, natsal, H5337) means to rescue or save. The Assyrian spokesman questions whether the LORD can truly rescue Jerusalem from the powerful hand (H3709) of the king of Assyria (H804), casting doubt on God’s power compared to Assyria’s might.
  • "Famine" (רָעָב, ra’av, H7458) and "thirst" (צָמָא, tsama, H6772) are used to emphasize the suffering expected during a siege, making the threat very concrete and immediate for the people hearing this message.

Why 2 Chronicles 32:11 matters

  • This verse shows the psychological tactics of ancient warfare, where enemies tried to break the spirit of a city before a battle even began.
  • The verse highlights the tension between trusting in God’s deliverance and facing very real, physical threats, a theme that runs throughout the chapter.
  • Understanding the original words for "persuade" and "deliver" helps clarify that the Assyrian message was not just about military might, but about undermining faith and leadership at a critical moment.

Where else these words appear

“thirst” Hebrew H6772 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
  • Psalms 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
  • Jeremiah 48:18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.

“persuade” Hebrew H5496 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
  • 1 Kings 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
  • Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H3169 · used in 42 verses

  • 2 Kings 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

“famine” Hebrew H7458 · used in 88 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • 2 Kings 25:3 And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
  • Jeremiah 32:24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.