Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?
2 CHRONICLES 32:13KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 32:13 mean?
2 Chronicles 32:13 records King Sennacherib of Assyria boasting to the people of Jerusalem, reminding them of his past victories over other nations and questioning whether the gods of those nations were able to save them from his power. Sennacherib is trying to intimidate Jerusalem by claiming that no other god has been able to stop him, so their God will not be able to either.
In this verse, Sennacherib is speaking directly to the people defending Jerusalem during his siege. He refers to the actions of himself and his ancestors ("my fathers") in conquering other lands and defeating their peoples. The verse highlights Sennacherib’s confidence in his own strength and his belief that the gods (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim) of other nations were powerless against him, setting up a confrontation between his pride and the faith of Jerusalem.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:13
- אֱלֹהִים (’elohim) — "gods": This word is often used for both the God of Israel and the gods of other nations. Here, it emphasizes the contrast Sennacherib is making between the supposed power of foreign gods and his own military might.
- יָד (yad) — "hand": In Hebrew, "hand" often symbolizes power or control. Sennacherib’s claim that no god could deliver lands from his "hand" underlines his sense of dominance and authority.
- נָצַל (natsal) — "deliver": This word means to rescue or save. Sennacherib is challenging the idea that any divine power could rescue a nation from his conquest, which is central to his attempt to discourage Jerusalem.
Why 2 Chronicles 32:13 matters
- This verse shows the psychological tactics used by Sennacherib to undermine the confidence of Jerusalem’s defenders, not just through military force but also through words.
- The verse sets up a key theme in the surrounding chapters: the contrast between human arrogance and trust in God, which becomes important as the story unfolds.
- Understanding Sennacherib’s argument helps clarify why the people of Jerusalem are being challenged to trust in their God, even when faced with overwhelming odds and the apparent failure of other nations’ gods.