Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.

2 CHRONICLES 32:22KJV
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2 Chronicles 32:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 32:22 mean?

2 Chronicles 32:22 says that the LORD rescued King Hezekiah and the people living in Jerusalem from Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and from every other threat, and that God guided and protected them on all sides. This verse highlights God's deliverance and ongoing care for Jerusalem during a time of great danger.

The verse comes after the story of Sennacherib's invasion, where Jerusalem faced a powerful enemy. The writer is summarizing how God (called "the LORD" here) saved Hezekiah and the city from being conquered, and did not just rescue them once, but continued to lead and protect them from all directions. This is a statement of God's faithfulness in a specific historical crisis.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:22

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yehovah): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing God's covenant relationship with Israel. The use of this name underlines that it was Israel's own God who acted on their behalf.
  • "saved" (יָשַׁע, yashaʿ): This word means to deliver or rescue. Here, it is not just about military victory but about being brought to safety when defeat seemed certain.
  • "guided" (נָחָה, nachah): This word means to lead, guide, or direct. It suggests ongoing care, not just a single act of rescue, but continued guidance and protection.
  • "side" (סָבִיב, saviv): This word means "around" or "on every side." It points to the idea that God's protection was complete, surrounding the people from all possible dangers.

Why 2 Chronicles 32:22 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that Jerusalem's survival was due to military strength or strategy; it emphasizes that their deliverance was entirely due to God's intervention.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by showing that God's help did not end with a single event but continued as ongoing guidance and protection.
  • The use of words like "guided" and "on every side" highlights that God's care was not just about defeating an enemy, but about providing lasting security and direction for the people.

Where else these words appear

“guided” Hebrew H5095 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 33:14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:15 And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
  • Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

“Sennacherib” Hebrew H5576 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:1 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
  • Isaiah 36:1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

“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.

“Assyria” Hebrew H804 · used in 138 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 20:6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
  • Isaiah 36:13 Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.