And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 KINGS 20:20KJV
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2 Kings 20:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 20:20 mean?

2 Kings 20:20 closes its account of King Hezekiah by pointing readers to a fuller record of his reign. It singles out his strength as a ruler and his work to bring water into Jerusalem, presenting the water project as a memorable achievement.

The question “are they not written” directs readers toward another record as a source of further information. The mention of a pool and a conduit pictures a water supply arranged to serve people inside the city.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 20:20

  • “might” — גְּבוּרָה (gevurah): The word can mean strength or powerful action. Here it points broadly to Hezekiah’s strength and achievements, not just physical force.
  • “conduit” — תְּעָלָה (teʿalah): The word means a channel for carrying water. It helps readers picture a constructed waterway connecting the water supply with the city.

Why 2 Kings 20:20 matters

  • The verse treats waterworks as part of a king’s significant public achievements. The pool and conduit stand alongside Hezekiah’s “might” in the closing notice about his reign.
  • The named record is a source for more about Hezekiah. The “book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah” is presented as a record of the kings of Judah; its title alone does not establish that it is the same book as the biblical books of Chronicles.
  • The passage marks a change of reign immediately afterward. Verse 21 names Manasseh as the next king, so verse 20’s reference to Hezekiah’s remaining acts belongs to the close of his reign.

Where else these words appear

“conduit” Hebrew H8585 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Kings 18:32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
  • 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.
  • Isaiah 36:2 And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

“pool” Hebrew H1295 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
  • Nehemiah 2:14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
  • Isaiah 7:3 Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;

“might” Hebrew H1369 · used in 61 verses

  • Exodus 32:18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
  • Job 26:14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
  • Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H2396 · used in 78 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
  • Isaiah 36:16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;