2 Chronicles 32 21

2 Chronicles 32 21 Cross References

h2Cross References

h2ContextThis verse is situated at the climax of King Hezekiah's confrontation with King Sennacherib of Assyria, around 701 BCE. The chapter details Sennacherib's formidable invasion of Judah, his capture of fortified cities, and his subsequent siege of Jerusalem. Faced with an overwhelming Assyrian military force and Sennacherib's taunting blasphemy against the Lord and King Hezekiah, Judah's human defenses were inadequate. Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah turned to God in prayer and relied solely on Him for deliverance. The preceding verses highlight Hezekiah's preparations for the siege, but more importantly, his rallying of the people to trust in God's superior power against Assyria's vast human might. Verse 21 describes the dramatic answer to their prayer and the ultimate demonstration of God's power, marking the turning point of the conflict and Jerusalem's miraculous deliverance.

h2Word analysis

• And the Lord: Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁלַח יְהוָה (va-yishlach YHWH). "The Lord" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenant God of Israel, indicating a direct, personal, and intentional act of the sovereign Deity. It highlights His absolute control and fidelity to His promises.
• sent an angel: Hebrew: מַלְאָךְ (mal'akh), meaning "messenger" or "angel." This refers to a divine agent, indicating that the destruction was not by human means or natural phenomena, but a supernatural intervention orchestrated directly by God. The angelic agent executes God's specific command.
• who cut off: Hebrew: הִכְרִית (hikhrīt), "to utterly destroy," "cut off," "exterminate." This strong verb signifies total and decisive annihilation, implying the swift, complete, and unrecoverable demise of the Assyrian elite forces. It underlines the finality of the judgment.
• all the mighty men of valor, and the commanders and officers: This phrase emphasizes that the divine strike targeted the core, the most powerful and strategic elements, of the Assyrian army. It was not just a general affliction, but a focused, devastating blow to their military elite, ensuring the complete incapacitation of their war machine. It underscores the Assyrian strength being rendered utterly impotent by God.
• in the camp of the king of Assyria: Pinpoints the exact location of the judgment—Sennacherib's threatening presence outside Jerusalem. This details the precision of God's intervention against the direct aggressor and his immediate threat.
• So he returned with shame of face: This outcome contrasts sharply with Sennacherib's initial boasting and might. "Shame of face" signifies deep humiliation, public disgrace, and utter failure of his military campaign, a profound reversal of fortune wrought by divine hand.
• to his own land: Indicating his retreat from the battlefield of Judah and Jerusalem, acknowledging his defeat.
• And when he came into the house of his god: Refers to the pagan temple of Nisroch (as specified in 2 Kgs 19:37), where Sennacherib sought refuge and likely offered worship. This detail carries significant ironic weight: the king who blasphemed Yahweh is met with his end in the supposed sanctuary of his own deity, highlighting the powerlessness of false gods.
• some of his own sons struck him down there with the sword: This reveals the method and agents of his death. That his own sons killed him underscores internal betrayal and disarray, showing divine retribution being fulfilled even through human agency. It marks a stark and personal end to the king who defied God. This was prophesied earlier by Isaiah (Isa 37:7).

h2Commentary2 Chronicles 32:21 is a powerful testimony to Yahweh's unparalleled sovereignty and His protective love for His people. It vividly illustrates divine retribution against human pride and blasphemy. The Assyrian empire, seemingly invincible with its massive, highly trained army, was crushed not by military counter-strategy, but by a singular act of God. The specific destruction of the "mighty men of valor, commanders and officers" highlights that God aimed for the very heart of Assyrian power, leading to immediate collapse. Sennacherib's subsequent humiliation, forced to retreat from a triumphant invasion into shameful defeat, contrasts sharply with his initial arrogance. His eventual assassination in the temple of his god Nisroch is the ultimate irony; the king who scorned the living God was destroyed in the supposed sanctuary of his powerless idol, confirming that no earthly power, nor any false deity, can stand against the Lord. This event cemented Jerusalem's status as the divinely protected city and affirmed that trusting in God is the only true source of security.

h2Bonus sectionThe precise number of Assyrians killed (185,000) is mentioned in the parallel accounts of 2 Kings 19:35 and Isaiah 37:36, emphasizing the scale of the single angelic blow. The event serves as a foundational historical instance of direct divine intervention, frequently cited in Jewish and Christian tradition. While Sennacherib's assassination is corroborated by Assyrian historical records (his annals mention his death, though not specifically by his sons, nor in Nisroch's temple details from the biblical account, reinforcing the Bible's accuracy regarding the fact of his death). This narrative provided profound encouragement to Judah during the Babylonian exile, reminding them of God's historical faithfulness and power to deliver, reinforcing the theological truth that true security lies not in military strength or political alliances, but in humble reliance upon God alone. It serves as a strong polemic against the pervasive pagan beliefs of the time, directly challenging the notion that gods were territorial or limited in power by showing Yahweh's universal supremacy.