2 Chronicles 32 3

2 Chronicles 32:3 kjv

He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.

2 Chronicles 32:3 nkjv

he consulted with his leaders and commanders to stop the water from the springs which were outside the city; and they helped him.

2 Chronicles 32:3 niv

he consulted with his officials and military staff about blocking off the water from the springs outside the city, and they helped him.

2 Chronicles 32:3 esv

he planned with his officers and his mighty men to stop the water of the springs that were outside the city; and they helped him.

2 Chronicles 32:3 nlt

he consulted with his officials and military advisers, and they decided to stop the flow of the springs outside the city.

2 Chronicles 32 verses

2 Chronicles 32 3 Meaning

King Hezekiah, facing the imminent invasion of the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, wisely consulted with his civil officials and military commanders. Together, they planned and executed the strategic decision to block the natural springs located outside Jerusalem. This measure aimed to deprive the approaching enemy of water, a critical resource during a siege, while ensuring Jerusalem's own supply through the subsequent diversion of water (mentioned later in the chapter). The verse highlights collaborative leadership and proactive defensive preparation.

2 Chronicles 32 3 Context

Chapter 32 of 2 Chronicles details the Assyrian invasion of Judah during King Hezekiah's reign. Sennacherib's approach poses an existential threat to Jerusalem and its inhabitants, explicitly mentioned in verse 1 as having come against the fortified cities of Judah with the intent to capture them. Faced with this imminent danger, Hezekiah responds with a series of diligent defensive preparations, both physical and spiritual. Verse 3 immediately follows the declaration of Sennacherib's arrival and highlights one of the king's crucial practical measures: securing Jerusalem's vital water supply while simultaneously depriving the enemy of access. This strategic action, often linked to the construction of the Siloam Tunnel (later described in 2 Chron 32:30), sets the stage for the dramatic narrative of siege, divine intervention, and miraculous deliverance that follows in the chapter. Historically, this event took place around 701 BCE and is powerfully corroborated by Assyrian annals and archaeological findings, emphasizing the biblical account's grounding in reality. The verse illustrates a king who intelligently combines profound trust in God with prudent human wisdom and preparation.

2 Chronicles 32 3 Word analysis

• He consulted (יִוָּעַץ - yiwwa'atz, from יָעַץ ya'atz): This Hebrew verb denotes a deliberate, thoughtful act of seeking counsel or advice. It highlights Hezekiah's leadership style, demonstrating humility and wisdom by involving others in critical decision-making rather than acting unilaterally. Good leaders in the Bible often consult (e.g., Ex 18:19; 1 Ki 12:6-8), indicating foresight and a balanced perspective over impulsive action.

• with his officials (שָׂרָיו - sarav): Refers to his high-ranking civil servants, princes, or ministers. These were likely individuals experienced in governance, logistics, and resource management. Their inclusion in the consultation shows the comprehensive nature of Hezekiah's planning—not solely military, but also involving broader societal implications and administrative oversight.

• and military commanders (גִּבּוֹרֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה - gibbore ha-milchamah): Literally "mighty men of war" or valiant warriors. These were the chief strategists and experienced fighters responsible for Judah's defense. Their input would have been indispensable for assessing military feasibility, execution logistics, and the strategic implications of manipulating water sources. The presence of both civil and military leadership demonstrates a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to the impending threat.

• to cut off (לְסְתוֹם - le'stom, from סָתַם satham): The verb means "to stop up, block, close, or conceal." This was a definitive act aimed at making the water completely inaccessible to the enemy, beyond mere diversion. It signifies an aggressive defensive measure focused on resource denial. The precise Hebrew term underlines the deliberate and thorough nature of their intention to render the springs unusable for external forces.

• the water of the springs (אֶת־מֵי הָעֲיָנוֹת - et-mei ha'ayanot): "Mei" (water) and "Ayanot" (springs). Natural springs were indispensable water sources for both residents and besieging armies in the ancient world. Jerusalem's primary spring, Gihon, was located outside its defensive walls, posing a significant vulnerability. This phrase clearly identifies the vital resource that was being strategically manipulated.

• outside the city (מִחוּץ לָעִיר - mikhutz la'ir): This geographical detail is crucial. It clarifies that the targeted springs were externally located, beyond the protective fortifications of Jerusalem. This strategic vulnerability made it imperative to deny enemy access to these vital sources, while simultaneously developing an internal water system (Hezekiah's Tunnel) for the city's defenders and inhabitants.

• and they helped him (וַיַּעֲזְרֻהוּ - vayya'azruhu): This simple concluding phrase underscores the unity, cooperation, and collective effort involved in executing such a monumental and critical undertaking. It indicates that the plan was not solely Hezekiah's but was carried out with the active participation and support of his officials, commanders, and likely the general populace, as implied by 2 Chron 32:4. This collaborative effort demonstrates national resolve and effective mobilization in crisis.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "he consulted with his officials and military commanders": This phrase emphasizes Hezekiah's sagacious and participatory leadership. His action to consult illustrates reliance on collective wisdom and diverse expertise—integrating civil governance and military strategy—rather than a singular, authoritarian decision. This behavior is consistent with the biblical endorsement of seeking wise counsel for vital endeavors, reflecting the principle found in Proverbs that "in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Prov 11:14).
  • "to cut off the water of the springs outside the city": This outlines a quintessential defensive strategy in ancient warfare: resource denial. By depriving the formidable Assyrian army of their primary water source during a prolonged siege, Hezekiah aimed to cripple their operational capacity and undermine their resolve. This foresight highlights a proactive and shrewd military mind, anticipating enemy needs and strategically mitigating Jerusalem's vulnerabilities by ensuring its own secured water supply through a subsequent engineering feat.
  • "and they helped him": This final clause highlights the communal and collaborative effort that transformed a strategic decision into practical action. It indicates a strong degree of loyalty and unity among Hezekiah, his leadership, and presumably the broader population. It signifies that complex, national-level defense initiatives require shared commitment and active participation, underscoring that effective leadership inspires collective action.

2 Chronicles 32 3 Bonus section

The strategic act described in 2 Chronicles 32:3-4 serves as the critical prelude to the remarkable engineering achievement known as Hezekiah's Tunnel or the Siloam Tunnel (2 Ki 20:20; 2 Chron 32:30). By stopping up the vulnerable springs outside Jerusalem, the water from the vital Gihon Spring was not lost, but ingeniously diverted through a winding, rock-hewn tunnel, flowing underneath the city's defenses to the secure Pool of Siloam within the walls. This complex project, attested by archaeological finds including the Siloam Inscription which narrates its construction, demonstrates not only the ingenuity of ancient Israelite engineers but also the massive organizational and communal effort necessary for such an undertaking. The phrase "and they helped him" therefore implies a large-scale mobilization of labor and resources under Hezekiah's effective leadership, underscoring the severity of the threat and the nation's resolve. This event perfectly illustrates how divine providence and human responsibility work in tandem, where a faithful leader’s wise actions facilitate God’s ultimate deliverance.

2 Chronicles 32 3 Commentary

2 Chronicles 32:3 presents King Hezekiah as a model of discerning leadership, combining deep faith in God with remarkable practical wisdom in the face of an existential threat from the Assyrians. His consultation with both civil officials and military commanders exemplifies prudent governance, demonstrating that effective leaders leverage diverse expertise rather than relying solely on their own judgment. The strategic decision to block the external springs, crucial for a besieging army, showcases foresight and tactical brilliance, illustrating a proactive defense posture that sought to outmaneuver the enemy. This verse emphasizes the principle that faith in God (which Hezekiah championed throughout this crisis, as seen in 2 Chron 32:7-8) is not a substitute for human diligence, planning, and action, but rather inspires and directs such responsible efforts. It teaches that while God is the ultimate deliverer, He often works through human instrumentality, wisdom, and unified effort to achieve His purposes. The coordinated effort implied by "they helped him" reflects the unity and determination required for national survival.