2 Chronicles 32:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 32:20 mean?

2 Chronicles 32:20 describes how King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah responded to a crisis by turning to God in prayer, earnestly seeking help from heaven. The verse highlights their joint action of praying and crying out to God when faced with a serious threat.

This verse is set during the time when Jerusalem was under threat from the Assyrian king Sennacherib. Hezekiah, the king of Judah, and Isaiah, a leading prophet, did not rely only on military strength or strategy. Instead, they came together to pray and cry out to God, showing both leadership and dependence on divine help in a time of national danger.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:20

• "Prayed" (פָּלַל, palal): This word often means to intercede or to make a formal request to God. It suggests that Hezekiah and Isaiah were not just speaking casually, but were earnestly seeking God's intervention.
• "Cried" (זָעַק, za'aq): This word carries the sense of a loud, urgent cry for help, often used in situations of distress or emergency. It shows the intensity and desperation of their appeal.
• "Heaven" (שָׁמַיִם, shamayim): In this context, "heaven" refers to God's dwelling place, emphasizing that their plea was directed to God Himself, not just a general spiritual force.

Why 2 Chronicles 32:20 matters

• This verse clarifies that both the king and the prophet took active roles in seeking God's help, showing a partnership between spiritual and political leadership in times of crisis.
• The emphasis on both praying and crying out underscores the seriousness of the situation and the depth of their dependence on God, not just routine religious practice.
• This moment sets up the dramatic response from God that follows in the narrative, highlighting the importance of prayer in the unfolding events of Judah's deliverance.