And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
2 CHRONICLES 32:27KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 32:27 mean?
2 Chronicles 32:27 describes how King Hezekiah became extremely wealthy and honored, gathering large amounts of silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and other valuable items, and building special storage places to keep them. The verse highlights the abundance of material blessings and treasures that Hezekiah accumulated during his reign.
The chronicler is recounting the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah, after his successful leadership during a time of crisis. This verse comes after the account of Hezekiah’s faithfulness and God’s deliverance from Assyria, showing the prosperity that followed. The focus is on the visible signs of Hezekiah’s success and the respect he earned, as seen in the wealth and honor he was able to gather and store.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:27
- The word "exceeding" (מְאֹד, me'od) means "very" or "greatly," emphasizing just how much wealth and honor Hezekiah had—far beyond the ordinary.
- "Treasuries" (אוֹצָר, 'otsar) refers to storehouses or vaults, not just simple containers, suggesting a significant and organized accumulation of wealth.
- "Pleasant" (חֶמְדָּה, chemdah) describes the jewels as desirable or delightful, highlighting not just their value but their beauty and appeal.
- "Riches" (עֹשֶׁר, osher) and "honour" (כָּבוֹד, kavod) together stress both material wealth and the respect or glory that came with it, showing Hezekiah’s status in both possessions and reputation.
Why 2 Chronicles 32:27 matters
- This verse clarifies that Hezekiah’s prosperity was not just spiritual or military, but also very tangible and material, with wealth that could be seen and measured.
- The detailed list of treasures and the mention of special treasuries underline how Hezekiah’s reign was marked by stability and abundance after a period of national crisis.
- By connecting Hezekiah’s wealth and honor to his earlier faithfulness, the chronicler sets up a contrast with later events in Hezekiah’s life, helping the reader see both the blessings and the challenges that come with success.