2 Chronicles 32 27

2 Chronicles 32:27 kjv

And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;

2 Chronicles 32:27 nkjv

Hezekiah had very great riches and honor. And he made himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of desirable items;

2 Chronicles 32:27 niv

Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver and gold and for his precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuables.

2 Chronicles 32:27 esv

And Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made for himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of costly vessels;

2 Chronicles 32:27 nlt

Hezekiah was very wealthy and highly honored. He built special treasury buildings for his silver, gold, precious stones, and spices, and for his shields and other valuable items.

2 Chronicles 32 verses

2 Chronicles 32 27 Meaning

Hezekiah, after God's miraculous deliverance and the resulting tributes, attained unprecedented riches and honor. He diligently built elaborate treasuries to store the vast quantities of silver, gold, precious stones, exotic spices, ceremonial or battle shields, and every other valuable article that accumulated in Judah. This describes a period of immense material prosperity, directly linked to divine blessing and international recognition of God's power through Judah.

2 Chronicles 32 27 Context

2 Chronicles 32 focuses on Hezekiah's reign, particularly the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem under Sennacherib. Prior to verse 27, Judah faced an overwhelming threat from the Assyrian army, but Hezekiah exhorted his people to trust in the Lord (v. 7-8). God then intervened dramatically, sending an angel who destroyed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (v. 21). This miraculous deliverance led to Sennacherib's retreat and subsequent death. Consequently, many nations brought gifts and tribute to the Lord in Jerusalem and to King Hezekiah (v. 23), acknowledging the power of Judah's God. Verse 27 describes the tangible outcome of this divine intervention and the subsequent flow of international wealth into Hezekiah's coffers, marking a peak in his kingdom's material prosperity and his personal honor. This abundance, however, serves as a backdrop for Hezekiah's later struggles with pride (v. 25, 31).

2 Chronicles 32 27 Word analysis

• And Hezekiah: King of Judah, whose reign is notable for religious reform and faith during a major national crisis. The verse pivots from God's act to Hezekiah's resultant status.
• had: Signifies possession and acquisition, highlighting the immediate result of the preceding divine actions and the subsequent flow of tribute.
• exceeding much: Hebrew māˈnoḏ məʾōḏ (מָנ֖וֹד מְאֹֽד). This emphatic adverbial phrase underscores the immense quantity, extraordinary degree, and unparalleled abundance of wealth Hezekiah possessed, far beyond the ordinary.
• riches: Hebrew ha‘ōšer (הָעֹ֤שֶׁר֙). Refers to accumulated wealth, possessions, and resources. While often a sign of divine blessing in the Old Testament, its handling tests a person's humility and reliance on God.
• and honour: Hebrew wəḵāḇôḏ (וְכָב֖וֹד). Implies dignity, prestige, glory, and respect. It encompasses not just material wealth but also Hezekiah's elevated status and reputation among surrounding nations due to God's favor and mighty deeds on Judah's behalf.
• and he made himself: Denotes personal initiative and construction. While the wealth came from God and tribute, Hezekiah took proactive steps to organize and secure these vast treasures.
• treasuries: Hebrew ʾōṣərōwṯ (אֹצְר֣וֹת). Storehouses, depositories, or strongrooms built specifically for the immense collection of valuable items. These were characteristic features of powerful ancient kingdoms.
• for silver: A common and significant medium of exchange and accumulated wealth in the ancient Near East, signifying substantial prosperity.
• and for gold: A more valuable metal than silver, indicative of immense royal wealth and luxury. Gold often held ritual significance alongside its material worth.
• and for precious stones: Hebrew wələʾeben yəqārāh (וּלְאֶ֣בֶן יְקָרָ֗ה). Costly gems, minerals, or ornamental stones highly valued for their rarity, beauty, and use in regalia or art.
• and for spices: Hebrew wəlivśāmîm (וּלְבְשָׂמִים֙). Aromatic plants, resins, and perfumes, often rare and imported, used for anointing, perfuming, or medicinal purposes. Their presence highlights the luxury and exotic nature of Hezekiah's wealth.
• and for shields: Hebrew wəlēṣinnôṯ (וּלְצִנּוֹת֙). Large, full-body shields. These could signify a strengthened military arsenal, or more likely in this context of a treasury of precious goods, valuable ceremonial shields (possibly golden like those of Solomon, 1 Kgs 10:16-17), representing power and royal display.
• and for all manner of pleasant jewels: Hebrew wəlḵōl kəlî ḥemədâ (וּלְכֹל֙ כְּלִ֣י חֶמְדָּ֔ה). This comprehensive phrase indicates "every desirable vessel" or "every valuable article." It is an inclusive term for all other objects of high value, beauty, or significance that were collected, emphasizing the sheer diversity and comprehensive nature of his vast accumulation.
• "Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour": This introductory clause sets the stage by immediately highlighting the divinely bestowed status and material blessings upon Hezekiah and his kingdom after the Lord's intervention. It emphasizes that this prosperity was extraordinary.
• "he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;": This extensive list showcases the detailed and luxurious nature of Hezekiah's accumulation. The phrase "he made himself treasuries" suggests personal foresight and architectural effort in managing the sudden influx of wealth, indicating Hezekiah's meticulous organization in collecting and preserving these valuable items. This physical manifestation of his wealth later becomes problematic, as he proudly displays these treasures to Babylonian envoys, leading to prophetic judgment.

2 Chronicles 32 27 Bonus section

The list of treasures, specifically including "shields" (tzinnot), is significant. These large shields, often associated with military strength and power, could refer to armaments. However, in the context of stored treasures and "pleasant jewels," they are more likely to be valuable, possibly gilded or decorative shields, acquired as part of tribute or crafted as symbols of royal majesty. This echoes Solomon's treasury of two hundred large shields of hammered gold (1 Kgs 10:16), suggesting a deliberate parallel intended by the Chronicler to underscore Hezekiah's unparalleled prosperity, akin to the golden age of Solomon. Furthermore, this verse highlights the practical implications of divine favor on the international stage; nations recognized God's hand in Judah's deliverance and expressed it through valuable gifts. While indicating a golden age of sorts, it subtly reminds the audience that immense blessings, if not handled with humility and continued dependence on God, can ironically lead to spiritual pitfalls, ultimately culminating in negative consequences as seen later in Hezekiah's reign.

2 Chronicles 32 27 Commentary

This verse immediately follows God's extraordinary deliverance of Judah from the Assyrian threat, directly linking Hezekiah's unprecedented wealth and honor to divine intervention and the resulting tribute from other nations. The Chronicler emphasizes the exceeding much nature of Hezekiah's prosperity, a tangible sign of God's favor and the reverence commanded by Jerusalem after the miraculous events. The detailed catalog of items – from common precious metals like silver and gold to rare spices and ceremonial shields – vividly portrays the opulence and comprehensive nature of the royal treasury, mirroring the splendor of previous Israelite kings like Solomon. However, this peak of material blessing ironically serves as a narrative turning point. While this prosperity demonstrates God's abundant provision for His obedient king and people, it also sets the stage for Hezekiah's subsequent struggle with pride, where he takes credit for the blessings and unwisely displays his treasures to Babylonian envoys (2 Chr 32:25, 31). This subtle foreshadowing transforms the verse from a simple record of wealth to a profound commentary on the human tendency to become self-reliant or arrogant when divinely blessed. It reminds us that blessings are from God and should lead to greater humility and gratitude, not self-exaltation. For instance, prosperity in business or ministry should prompt increased devotion and charitable giving, not self-congratulation or a disregard for spiritual needs.