Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.

2 CHRONICLES 32:28KJV
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2 Chronicles 32:28 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 32:28 mean?

2 Chronicles 32:28 describes how storehouses and shelters were built to hold the abundance of food and supplies—specifically grain, wine, oil, and places for animals and flocks. This verse highlights the organized efforts to manage and protect resources during King Hezekiah’s reign.

The verse is part of a passage listing King Hezekiah’s achievements in Judah, showing his wisdom in preparing for times of need. The chronicler is recounting to later readers how Hezekiah ensured his kingdom’s stability by storing up agricultural produce and providing for livestock, reflecting careful planning and prosperity.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:28

  • מִסְכְּנוֹת (miskenot, “storehouses”): This word points to specially built storage facilities, not just casual storage, emphasizing deliberate preparation for future needs.
  • תְּבוּאָה (tevu’ah, “increase”): Often means produce or yield, especially from the land, highlighting the results of successful agriculture.
  • דָּגָן (dagan, “corn”): Refers broadly to grain crops, not just modern corn, so it includes wheat and barley, the staple foods of the region.
  • יֵין (yayin, “wine”) and יִצְהָר (yitzhar, “oil”): These were key products in ancient Israel, used for food, trade, and religious purposes, showing the kingdom’s wealth and self-sufficiency.
  • רְפָסִים (refasim, “stalls”) and גְּדֵרוֹת (gederot, “cotes”): These terms describe structures for housing animals, reflecting attention to livestock as well as crops.

Why 2 Chronicles 32:28 matters

  • This verse shows that Hezekiah’s preparations were not just military (as in the verses before and after) but also economic, ensuring the people’s survival and well-being.
  • The detailed mention of different kinds of produce and animals emphasizes the completeness of Hezekiah’s planning, not just focusing on one area but caring for all aspects of the kingdom’s resources.
  • Understanding the specific Hebrew words clarifies that “corn” means general grain, and the “storehouses” were substantial buildings, not just small bins, which helps modern readers picture the scale of Hezekiah’s efforts.

Where else these words appear

“stalls” Hebrew H723 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 4:26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

“Storehouses” Hebrew H4543 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 1:11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:4 And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.
  • 2 Chronicles 16:4 And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.

“oil” Hebrew H3323 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 18:12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.
  • 2 Kings 18:32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.
  • Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

“flocks” Hebrew H5739 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 29:2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
  • Song of Solomon 1:7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
  • Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.