Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

2 CHRONICLES 32:15KJV
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2 Chronicles 32:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 32:15 mean?

2 Chronicles 32:15 records a warning from the Assyrian king’s messengers, telling the people of Jerusalem not to trust King Hezekiah’s claim that their God could save them from the Assyrian army. The speaker insists that no god of any nation has ever been able to rescue people from Assyria, so Jerusalem’s God will not be able to either.

This verse takes place during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, with the Assyrian king’s officials addressing the people on the city walls. Their message is meant to frighten and discourage the people from trusting Hezekiah or their God. The verse shows the Assyrians’ confidence in their own power and their belief that all gods—including Israel’s—are powerless against them.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:15

  • "deceive" (נָשָׁא, nāshā’): This word means to mislead or trick. The Assyrian spokesman accuses Hezekiah of misleading the people, suggesting that trusting in God is a false hope.
  • "deliver" (נָצַל, nātsal): This verb means to rescue or save. The repeated use highlights the central claim: that no god, including Israel’s, has been able to save anyone from Assyria’s power.
  • "god" (אֱלוֹהַּ, ’elōah) and "God" (אֱלֹהִים, ’elōhîm): Both words are used for “god” or “God,” but the context makes clear that the speaker is lumping Israel’s God together with the gods of other nations, not recognizing any difference.

Why 2 Chronicles 32:15 matters

  • This verse highlights the psychological warfare used by the Assyrians, aiming to break the morale of Jerusalem’s people by undermining their faith in God and their leader.
  • The verse sets up a contrast between the Assyrian view of gods as powerless and the biblical narrative that will show God’s unique ability to save.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the tension and stakes of the larger story, where trust in God is directly challenged by overwhelming outside power.

Where else these words appear

“deceive” Hebrew H5377 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
  • Isaiah 19:13 The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.
  • Jeremiah 29:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

“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.

“god” Hebrew H433 · used in 56 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
  • Job 15:8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
  • Job 33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

“not” Hebrew H3808 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
  • Numbers 14:35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
  • Psalms 17:1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.