After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem,(but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,

2 CHRONICLES 32:9KJV
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2 Chronicles 32:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 32:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 32:9 describes how Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, sent his servants to Jerusalem with a message for Hezekiah, the king of Judah, and all the people in the city, while Sennacherib himself was busy besieging the city of Lachish with his army. This sets the stage for a confrontation between Assyria and Judah, highlighting the pressure Jerusalem was under.

The verse gives a snapshot of a tense historical moment: Sennacherib is attacking another city (Lachish) but still threatens Jerusalem by sending messengers. Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem are the intended audience of Sennacherib’s message, and the verse signals that a significant challenge is about to unfold for Judah.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 32:9

  • סַנְחֵרִיב (Sanḥēriv, "Sennacherib"): This is the name of the Assyrian king, a real historical figure known for his military campaigns. His presence in the text roots the story in a specific historical context.
  • לָכִישׁ (Lakhish, "Lachish"): This city was a major fortress in Judah. The mention of Lachish emphasizes the seriousness of the Assyrian threat, as it was a key defensive city now under siege.
  • מַשְׂאָה (mashe'ah, "power"): Often translated as "army" or "forces," this word highlights the strength and resources Sennacherib brought with him, underlining the danger facing Judah.

Why 2 Chronicles 32:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Sennacherib was not personally at Jerusalem but was attacking another city, showing his confidence in being able to threaten multiple places at once.
  • The mention of Lachish connects this event to archaeological findings and historical records, grounding the biblical account in real-world events.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic tension for the following narrative, where Hezekiah and Jerusalem must respond to the Assyrian threat, making the reader aware of the stakes involved.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“power” Hebrew H4475 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • Psalms 114:2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
  • Isaiah 39:2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

“Lachish” Hebrew H3923 · used in 22 verses

  • Joshua 10:3 Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
  • Joshua 10:35 And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:9 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

“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.