2 Chronicles 32 31

2 Chronicles 32:31 kjv

Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

2 Chronicles 32:31 nkjv

However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.

2 Chronicles 32:31 niv

But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.

2 Chronicles 32:31 esv

And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.

2 Chronicles 32:31 nlt

However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart.

2 Chronicles 32 verses

2 Chronicles 32 31 Meaning

2 Chronicles 32:31 details a critical moment in King Hezekiah's life when Babylonian envoys visited him. Following God's miraculous intervention on his behalf and the healing of his illness, these envoys came to inquire about the "wonder" (the reversal of the sun's shadow). In this specific instance, God "left him alone" to test him, which allowed the true contents of Hezekiah's heart to be revealed. The verse highlights that God's purpose in this testing was not to gain new knowledge, but to manifest what was already present in Hezekiah, particularly his reliance on worldly glory and alliances rather than exclusive trust in the Lord.

2 Chronicles 32 31 Context

The events of 2 Chronicles 32:31 follow a period of immense divine intervention and blessing in King Hezekiah's life. The chapter begins with the formidable Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib, where Hezekiah, through prayer and reliance on God, witnessed a miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem (2 Chr 32:1-23). This unparalleled act of God deeply humbled the Assyrians and established Hezekiah's renown. Immediately following this, Hezekiah fell critically ill (2 Chr 32:24, also 2 Kgs 20:1-11; Isa 38). He prayed to God, and in response, God granted him an additional fifteen years of life, along with the miraculous sign of the sun's shadow receding ten steps on the sundial. This astonishing "wonder" (referred to in 2 Chr 32:31) would have reached foreign nations, including Babylon.

Against this backdrop of divine favor and supernatural displays, the arrival of envoys from the Babylonian princes marks a crucial turning point. Instead of using the opportunity to glorify the God who performed these wonders, Hezekiah yielded to pride, boasting of his earthly treasures and military preparedness (as recounted in 2 Kings 20 and Isaiah 39). The Chronicler succinctly states that "God left him alone to test him," highlighting a specific divine purpose behind the circumstance. This momentary withdrawal of God's restraining hand allowed Hezekiah's innate tendencies, which were overshadowed by previous displays of faith and humility (cf. 2 Chr 32:26), to come to the surface. This test ultimately exposed the residual pride and misplaced trust in worldly display within the heart of an otherwise godly king. The failure laid the groundwork for the prophecy of Babylonian captivity (Isa 39:6-7), foreshadowing Israel's future.

2 Chronicles 32 31 Word analysis

• However: (וְכֵן wəkēn) This conjunction emphasizes a shift or contrast. It introduces a specific incident that serves as a qualification or exception to the preceding account of Hezekiah's righteous reign and God's abundant blessings upon him (2 Chr 32:27-30).
• in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon: These envoys were high-ranking representatives from a rising geopolitical power. Their visit, spurred by curiosity about the cosmic "wonder," presented an opportunity for Hezekiah to testify to God's greatness. However, he turned it into a display of his own wealth and power. This incident foreshadows Babylon's future role as the agent of Judah's destruction.
• who sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land: "Wonder" (הַמּוֹפֵת hammofet) refers to the miraculous reversal of the sun's shadow, a sign God gave Hezekiah confirming his extended life (Isa 38:8). The Babylonians, known for their astronomical observations, would have been particularly interested in such a cosmic event. Hezekiah's failure was in not directing their attention to the Divine source of this wonder.
• God left him alone: (עֲזָבוֹ 'azavo, from עָזַב 'azav meaning "to abandon, to leave, to forsake"). This phrase does not imply abandonment in terms of rejection, but rather a temporary withdrawal of special divine guidance, protection, or restraining grace. God allowed Hezekiah to act on his own natural impulses without direct divine intervention or prompting. This is a common divine method for revealing character, seen elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., God giving people over to their desires in Rom 1).
• to test him: (לְנַסּוֹתוֹ lǝnassoto, from נָסָה nasah meaning "to try, to prove, to test, to tempt"). The purpose here is not to cause Hezekiah to sin, but to expose what was already present in his heart. It was a probationary experience, designed to bring hidden attitudes or tendencies into the open, allowing both Hezekiah and observers to "know" (perceive and understand) his true spiritual condition. God’s tests are always for revelation, growth, or demonstration.
• that He might know all that was in his heart: This is an anthropomorphism. God, being omniscient, already knows all things (Psa 139:2; Jer 17:10). The phrase means "that it might be known," or "that Hezekiah might know what was in his own heart," or "that it might be made manifest." The test served to demonstrate Hezekiah's internal state—his susceptibility to pride and his lingering trust in worldly assets—both to himself and to others. It revealed that despite recent humility (2 Chr 32:26) and miraculous experiences, elements of self-reliance persisted.

2 Chronicles 32 31 Bonus section

• This verse provides a crucial warning that spiritual maturity and great divine blessings do not eliminate the possibility of human failure, especially due to pride. Even a king like Hezekiah, who saw God move miraculously, could stumble when divine support was momentarily withdrawn.
• The incident highlights the difference between an external display of piety and the true condition of the heart. Hezekiah had great faith but still had elements of self-glorification to overcome.
• It serves as a counterpoint to the idea that righteous living prevents all negative consequences. While Hezekiah humbled himself for his earlier pride (2 Chr 32:26), this subsequent incident demonstrates that character formation is an ongoing process and that specific instances of testing can still expose latent weaknesses, sometimes leading to long-term prophetic implications.
• The fact that God chose to leave him alone for this test shows divine sovereignty over human choices and circumstances, ultimately to reveal truth and instruct His people. This 'leaving alone' can be seen as a form of divine pedagogy, a painful but necessary lesson.

2 Chronicles 32 31 Commentary

2 Chronicles 32:31 is a pivotal and sobering verse in Hezekiah's story, contrasting sharply with his previous profound faith and God's miraculous deliverance. After unparalleled divine blessings, Hezekiah faced a subtle but potent test: how would he react when foreign dignitaries came, not primarily for tribute or military alliances, but out of curiosity for a cosmic wonder orchestrated by his God? His failure to leverage this opportunity to glorify the Lord and instead succumbing to a display of personal and national wealth proved to be his greatest misstep.

The critical phrase "God left him alone to test him" reveals a profound theological truth about God's methods. God's leaving Hezekiah alone wasn't an act of indifference or rejection, but a deliberate pedagogical act. It was a withdrawal of the special, supernatural anointing or restraining grace that had been so evident in his preceding trials. By stepping back, God allowed Hezekiah's unrefined tendencies—specifically pride and a latent desire to impress men rather than wholly humble himself before God—to come to the surface. This test wasn't about tempting Hezekiah to sin but exposing the already present inclination within him, providing clarity about his character, even to himself.

The purpose, "that He might know all that was in his heart," highlights God's intent for the heart to be laid bare. While God inherently knows everything, this 'knowing' is about making that reality manifest and undeniable, for Hezekiah's own benefit and as a perpetual lesson for believers. It underscores that spiritual success, even in the midst of divine favor, does not grant immunity from testing. Pride, particularly after great blessings, remains a persistent danger, even for devout leaders. Hezekiah's brief moment of boastfulness led to a sobering prophetic warning from Isaiah regarding the future Babylonian captivity, demonstrating how personal failings can have national ramifications and underscore the constant need for dependence on God, regardless of one's past achievements.