Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
2 CHRONICLES 32:7KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 32:7 mean?
2 Chronicles 32:7 tells the people to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or discouraged by the king of Assyria and his large army, because there are more supporting them than are with their enemy. The verse is meant to reassure and encourage confidence in the face of a threatening invasion.
King Hezekiah is speaking to his people as the Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, surrounds Jerusalem. The situation is tense, with the enemy seeming overwhelming in number and power. Hezekiah’s message highlights that, despite appearances, God’s support makes their side stronger than any visible army.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:7
- The word “strong” (חָזַק, ḥazaq, H2388) often means to be firm or resolute, not just physically tough but also mentally determined. Hezekiah is calling for inner strength.
- “Courageous” (אָמַץ, ʾamats, H553) carries the sense of being bold or brave, urging the people not to shrink back in fear.
- “Afraid” (יָרֵא, yare, H3372) and “dismayed” (חָתַת, ḥatat, H2865) both speak to emotional responses—fear and being shattered or discouraged. Hezekiah is directly addressing the natural reactions people might feel in a crisis.
- The word “multitude” (הָמוֹן, hamon, H1995) points to the vast number of Assyrian troops, emphasizing just how outnumbered the people of Jerusalem seemed.
Why 2 Chronicles 32:7 matters
- The verse clarifies that strength and courage are not just about military power, but about trust in a greater support—here, God’s presence with the people.
- It shows Hezekiah’s leadership style: he faces the threat honestly but encourages his people to look beyond what they can see.
- The verse sets up the dramatic contrast in the wider story, where Jerusalem’s survival is not due to numbers or might, but to faith and unseen help.