2 Chronicles 32:24 kjv
In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
2 Chronicles 32:24 nkjv
In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the LORD; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign.
2 Chronicles 32:24 niv
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the LORD, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign.
2 Chronicles 32:24 esv
In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the LORD, and he answered him and gave him a sign.
2 Chronicles 32:24 nlt
About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill. He prayed to the LORD, who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign.
2 Chronicles 32 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kgs 20:1 | In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death... | Parallel account of illness. |
| Isa 38:1 | In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death... | Parallel account of illness. |
| 2 Kgs 20:2 | Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. | Details of Hezekiah's earnest prayer. |
| Isa 38:2-3 | Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying... | Specific content of Hezekiah's prayer. |
| 2 Kgs 20:4 | Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him. | God's swift response to prayer. |
| Isa 38:5 | Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the Lord... says: I have heard your prayer...' | God promises to add fifteen years to life. |
| 2 Kgs 20:8 | Hezekiah asked Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the Lord will heal me...?" | King's request for a confirming sign. |
| Isa 38:7-8 | "This is the Lord's sign to you that the Lord will do what he has promised: I will make the shadow go back..." | Specific nature of the miraculous sign. |
| Psa 6:2-4 | Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord... | Prayer for healing from illness. |
| Psa 30:2-3 | Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. | Testimony of God's healing from death. |
| Psa 41:3 | The Lord sustains them on their sickbed; in their illness you restore them to health. | God's care for the sick. |
| Jas 5:14-15 | Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them... | New Testament instruction for healing. |
| Phil 2:27 | Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him... | Similar near-death illness with divine mercy. |
| Psa 18:6 | In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. | Distress answered by God. |
| Psa 34:4 | I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. | God answers those who seek Him. |
| Isa 55:6 | Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. | Invitation to prayer and seeking God. |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything... | Confidence in prayer answered by God. |
| Deut 32:39 | "See now that I myself am he!... I wound and I heal..." | God's sovereignty over life and death. |
| 1 Sam 2:6 | "The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up." | God's sovereignty over life and death. |
| Job 12:10 | In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. | God sustains all life. |
| Isa 7:11 | "Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." | God gives signs to confirm His word. |
| Exo 4:8 | "Then, if they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second." | Signs given to confirm divine message. |
| Jdg 6:17 | Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign..." | Human request for a confirming sign. |
| Acts 2:22 | "Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs..." | Miraculous signs validating God's agent. |
| 2 Chr 32:25 | But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and his heart became proud... | Chronicles' emphasis on Hezekiah's later response. |
| Psa 116:3-4 | The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me... then I called on the name of the Lord. | Delivered from imminent death. |
2 Chronicles 32 verses
2 Chronicles 32 24 Meaning
King Hezekiah experienced a life-threatening illness that brought him to the brink of death. In his despair, he turned to the Lord in earnest prayer. The Lord responded swiftly and affirmatively to Hezekiah's supplication, not only answering his prayer for healing but also providing him with a miraculous, confirmatory sign to authenticate His divine intervention and word.
2 Chronicles 32 24 Context
This verse is set within 2 Chronicles chapter 32, which primarily focuses on King Hezekiah's reign. The immediate context details the Assyrian invasion led by King Sennacherib, Hezekiah's steadfast trust in the Lord amidst this existential threat, and God's miraculous deliverance of Judah from the Assyrian army (2 Chr 32:1-23). Following this great military victory and divine rescue, Hezekiah experiences a personal crisis – a life-threatening illness. The Chronicler strategically places this illness here to emphasize God's continued involvement in Hezekiah's life, demonstrating divine sovereignty even beyond military conflicts and leading into the king's subsequent display of pride, which contrasts sharply with his initial humility during the invasion. This sets the stage for a divine test of his character, which sadly, in the immediate aftermath, Hezekiah fails.
2 Chronicles 32 24 Word analysis
- In those days: (Hebrew: בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם, bāyāmîm hāhēm) – This phrase indicates a timeframe loosely connected to the preceding narrative, often used by the Chronicler to introduce a new, significant event related to the same period but not strictly in direct chronological order of action as compared to 2 Kings or Isaiah. It suggests that Hezekiah's illness occurred around the time of, or shortly after, the deliverance from Sennacherib.
- Hezekiah: (Hebrew: חִזְקִיָּהוּ, Ḥizqîyyāhû) – "Yahweh strengthens/is my strength." The king of Judah known for his religious reforms and trust in the Lord. His name is particularly poignant here as he faces weakness unto death, underscoring that even a "strong in the Lord" king faces human frailty.
- became ill: (Hebrew: חָלָה, ḥālāh) – A verb meaning "to be sick," "weak," or "to grieve." It implies a severe affliction that incapacitates.
- and was at the point of death: (Hebrew: עַד-מָוֶת, ʿad-māwet) – Literally "unto death" or "to death." This vivid phrase stresses the terminal nature of his condition, leaving no room for natural recovery, thus heightening the significance of God's intervention.
- He prayed: (Hebrew: וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל, wayyitpallel) – From the root pālal, indicating self-intercession. This intensive, reflexive verb suggests a heartfelt, desperate, and personal pouring out before God. It highlights Hezekiah's dependence on divine power, rather than earthly means, in his dire state.
- to the Lord: (Hebrew: אֶל-יְהוָה, ʾel-YHWH) – Addressed directly to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This is a deliberate affirmation of monotheism and trust in the one true God, contrasting with the polytheistic practices prevalent among surrounding nations and at times within Judah itself.
- who answered him: (Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ, wayyōmer lô) – Literally "and He spoke to him." In context, this signifies a direct, affirming response to Hezekiah's prayer, usually conveyed through a prophet (Isaiah in parallel accounts) or through an internal divine assurance. It emphasizes God's direct communication and engagement with His supplicants.
- and gave him: (Hebrew: וַיִּתֶּן-לוֹ, wayyittēn-lô) – Underscores that the ensuing miracle is a divine gift, a proactive act of God's grace and power, not merely a natural occurrence.
- a miraculous sign: (Hebrew: מוֹפֵת, môpēṯ) – A wonder, an extraordinary event that serves as a token or attestation of divine power and authority. In parallel accounts, this sign was the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz moving backward, demonstrating God's sovereign control over even the celestial order to confirm His word and purpose. This specific detail reinforces the truly supernatural nature of God's response.
Words-group analysis
- "became ill and was at the point of death": This emphatic statement clearly establishes the mortal danger Hezekiah faced. It showcases human vulnerability, setting the scene for a magnificent display of divine life-giving power. Without this severity, God's intervention would not be as profound.
- "He prayed to the Lord": This phrase encapsulates Hezekiah's crucial act of turning to God in his ultimate crisis. It portrays an act of genuine faith and humility, characteristic of his earlier actions against Sennacherib, reinforcing the Chronicler's theme of the blessing that accompanies devotion to YHWH.
- "who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign": This highlights God's immediate and unequivocal responsiveness to desperate prayer. The "miraculous sign" elevates God's answer beyond simple healing; it is an undeniable, public, and verifiable display of His control over all creation, specifically to confirm His word and show His favor to Hezekiah.
2 Chronicles 32 24 Bonus section
- The Chronicler's focus is less on the mechanics of the miracle (e.g., the specific details of the sundial's shadow reversing) and more on the theological implication: God responds to sincere prayer and gives irrefutable evidence of His intervention. This aligns with the Chronicler's general emphasis on piety and God's interaction with the Davidic kings.
- This illness and subsequent healing are chronologically pivotal, as it is during Hezekiah's recovery that envoys from Babylon arrive (as seen in Isaiah and Kings), leading to Hezekiah's prideful display of his treasures. The healing therefore, though a blessing, also served as a catalyst for a moment of failure.
- Hezekiah's response to God's kindness in verse 25 is critically important to the Chronicler, making the initial healing event here a backdrop against which his subsequent pride and lack of gratitude are illuminated. This incident showcases both God's incredible grace and the consistent human propensity for spiritual decline even after divine blessings.
2 Chronicles 32 24 Commentary
2 Chronicles 32:24 provides a concise yet powerful summary of a crucial episode in King Hezekiah's life: his life-threatening illness, his fervent prayer, and God's miraculous, confirmed answer. Placed after the epic victory over Sennacherib, this personal crisis underscores God's continuing presence and authority in the life of His people and their kings. It serves as a stark reminder that even after great triumphs, human fragility remains, and dependence on God is always paramount. The Lord's immediate response to Hezekiah's desperate plea showcases His compassion, faithfulness, and absolute sovereignty over life and death. The "miraculous sign," though not detailed here as in Kings and Isaiah, serves as irrefutable proof of God's personal and supernatural intervention, affirming His word and confirming Hezekiah's restored health. While this verse highlights God's mercy and power, it also subtly introduces a moment where Hezekiah is tested after deliverance, foreshadowing his later spiritual struggles as detailed in subsequent verses.Examples: A desperate cry for help in a terminal diagnosis often prompts profound prayer; God's answers may include extraordinary healings beyond medical explanation; a divine 'sign' could be an unusual circumstance or confirmation that clearly points to His intervention, strengthening faith.