Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.

2 CHRONICLES 32:5KJV
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2 Chronicles 32:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 32:5 mean?

2 Chronicles 32:5 describes how King Hezekiah took strong action to defend Jerusalem by repairing and strengthening the city’s broken walls, building new defenses, and preparing weapons and shields in large numbers. The verse highlights Hezekiah’s determination and practical steps to protect his people from an impending threat.

This verse is set during a time when the Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, threatened Jerusalem. The writer describes Hezekiah’s preparations as he leads the people in reinforcing the city’s defenses, including repairing the wall, building an additional outer wall, and restoring the Millo (a structure within the city of David). The verse shows a moment of urgent leadership and careful planning in response to a real military danger.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:5

  • The word “strengthened” (חָזַק, chazaq) means to make strong or courageous; here, it shows Hezekiah’s resolve and active effort, not just a passive feeling.
  • “Wall” (חוֹמָה, chomah) and “broken” (פָּרַץ, parats) refer to the city’s physical defenses and the damage they had suffered, emphasizing the real vulnerability Hezekiah addressed.
  • “Millo” (הַמִּלּוֹא, ha-millo) is a specific structure or earthwork in Jerusalem; its repair shows attention to both the obvious and less-visible parts of the city’s defenses.
  • “Darts” (שֶׁלַח, shelah) and “shields” (צִנָּה, tsinnah) refer to offensive and defensive weapons, showing Hezekiah’s thoroughness in preparing for battle.

Why 2 Chronicles 32:5 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that Hezekiah’s response to danger was only spiritual or prayerful; it shows he also took practical, organized action to protect his people.
  • The details about repairing both the main wall and the Millo highlight the seriousness of the threat and the comprehensive nature of Hezekiah’s preparations.
  • In the wider story, this verse sets the stage for the coming confrontation with Assyria and shows the kind of leadership valued in times of crisis.

Where else these words appear

“darts” Hebrew H7973 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 23:10 And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
  • Nehemiah 4:23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
  • Job 36:12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

“Millo” Hebrew H4407 · used in 9 verses

  • Judges 9:6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
  • 2 Samuel 5:9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
  • 1 Kings 11:27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.

“towers” Hebrew H4026 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
  • Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

“broken” Hebrew H6555 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.