2 Chronicles 32 5

2 Chronicles 32:5 kjv

Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.

2 Chronicles 32:5 nkjv

And he strengthened himself, built up all the wall that was broken, raised it up to the towers, and built another wall outside; also he repaired the Millo in the City of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.

2 Chronicles 32:5 niv

Then he worked hard repairing all the broken sections of the wall and building towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the terraces of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons and shields.

2 Chronicles 32:5 esv

He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance.

2 Chronicles 32:5 nlt

Then Hezekiah worked hard at repairing all the broken sections of the wall, erecting towers, and constructing a second wall outside the first. He also reinforced the supporting terraces in the City of David and manufactured large numbers of weapons and shields.

2 Chronicles 32 verses

2 Chronicles 32 5 Meaning

Hezekiah, in preparation for the impending Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib, demonstrated strong leadership and diligence by personally taking courage and overseeing significant defensive fortifications in Jerusalem. This included rebuilding damaged sections of the city wall, adding protective towers, constructing a second outer wall for increased security, fortifying the ancient Millo structure in the City of David, and extensively equipping the kingdom with a large supply of weapons and shields. His actions reflect a prudent and comprehensive effort to secure Jerusalem against a formidable enemy.

2 Chronicles 32 5 Context

This verse is situated at the outset of the chronicler's account of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah. Having first detailed Hezekiah's faithfulness in national worship and reform, the narrative shifts to the formidable military threat. Verse 5 describes Hezekiah's swift, comprehensive, and well-executed defensive preparations for Jerusalem against the powerful Assyrian army, a clear and present danger detailed in 32:1-4. The broader chapter then presents the remarkable deliverance of Jerusalem, emphasizing God's miraculous intervention, making Hezekiah's diligent preparation not a sign of self-reliance, but a faithful leader's responsible action in the face of crisis, before entrusting the ultimate outcome to God. Historically, Judah faced the mightiest empire of the time, and Jerusalem's survival against such a force was nothing short of miraculous, a testament to God's covenant faithfulness and Hezekiah's humble faith.

2 Chronicles 32 5 Word analysis

• He took courage (וַיִּתְחַזֵּק, vayitchazzek): Derived from the root חָזַק (chazaq), meaning to be strong, strengthen oneself, or grasp. Here it indicates an active, determined effort on Hezekiah's part. It signifies internal resolve, fortitude, and the active process of empowering himself for the task. This term is also used for leaders being strengthened for a task by God.
• and rebuilt (וַיִּבְנֶה, vayyivneh): From the root בָּנָה (banah), "to build." It refers to a practical, physical act of construction and restoration.
• all the broken sections of the wall (אֶת־כָּל־הַפֶּרֶץ, et-kol-happertz): Refers to breaches or weak points in the existing defenses, signifying a diligent survey and thorough repair of what was already present but perhaps neglected or damaged over time. It shows Hezekiah's attention to detail and proactive restoration.
• and erected (וַיַּעַל, vayya'al): "He raised up," signifying the construction of elevated defensive structures.
• towers (מִגְדָּלֹת, migdalot): Fortified structures vital for observation and defense, adding vertical strength to the wall.
• He also built another wall outside the first (וַיַּבְנֶה חוֹמָה אַחֶרֶת מִחוּץ, vayyavneh chomah acheret michutz): This indicates a double line of defense, a sophisticated and rare fortification strategy for its time, demonstrating extraordinary foresight and thoroughness in preparation. It implies layers of security.
• and fortified (וַיְחַזֵּק, vayechazek): From the same root חָזַק as "took courage." This recurrence highlights that Hezekiah not only strengthened himself internally but also strengthened the physical structures, reinforcing the idea of a comprehensive effort.
• the Millo (הַמִּלּוֹא, hammillo): A crucial defensive and topographical feature in ancient Jerusalem, possibly a terraced fill or a fortress linking the old city and Ophel. Its fortification underscores the completeness of Hezekiah's defensive strategy, securing vital points within the City of David itself.
• in the City of David (בְּעִיר דָּוִיד, be'ir david): The oldest part of Jerusalem, implying the strengthening of the core, original defenses.
• and made (וַיַּעַשׂ, vayya'as): "He made," referring to the manufacturing or acquisition.
• an abundance (לָרוֹב, larov): Meaning "in great quantity" or "plenty." This signifies not just provision but strategic stockpiling for a prolonged conflict.
• of weapons and shields (כְּלֵי־שֶׁלַח וּמָגִנּוֹת, keley-shelach u'maginot): Comprehensive military armaments. "Weapons" refers generally to offensive instruments (darts, spears), and "shields" to defensive ones. This detail rounds out the preparation, showing a focus on both fortifications and offensive/defensive capabilities of the soldiers.

Words-group analysis:

• "He took courage and rebuilt...and erected...and built...and fortified...and made": This chain of verbs clearly outlines a sequential, multi-faceted, and determined program of preparation undertaken by Hezekiah. It paints a picture of active leadership and meticulous foresight, engaging both physical and logistical aspects of defense. The repetition of verbs like "strengthened" (took courage and fortified Millo) emphasizes both his inner resolve and outward action in strengthening the city.

2 Chronicles 32 5 Bonus section

The narrative in 2 Chronicles often highlights the active role of pious kings. Hezekiah's personal involvement in strengthening the city ("he took courage and rebuilt") underscores his dedication and commitment as a leader, potentially even engaging in or directly overseeing the physical labor, rather than merely issuing commands from afar. This emphasis on the king's direct action strengthens the narrative of Hezekiah as a righteous and responsible monarch. This strategic work by Hezekiah can be paralleled with spiritual preparedness for spiritual battles, where believers are called to put on the full armor of God and stand firm (Eph 6:11-18) while still trusting in God's ultimate power for victory. The mention of "the Millo" also suggests continuity with previous righteous kings like David and Solomon, who also focused on securing this critical Jerusalem feature, implicitly linking Hezekiah's righteous efforts to their legacy.

2 Chronicles 32 5 Commentary

2 Chronicles 32:5 presents a vivid portrait of wise leadership and diligent preparation in the face of existential threat. Hezekiah's actions are not presented as relying on human might over divine power, but rather as responsible stewardship and active faith. He did not passively wait for divine intervention but actively employed the resources and wisdom God had provided. This demonstrates a vital biblical principle: faith is often expressed through diligent effort and planning, not in the absence of it. Hezekiah's thorough defensive measures—repairing, rebuilding, expanding, fortifying, and arming—were a rational and essential response to an overwhelming foe, forming the backdrop against which God's miraculous deliverance would later be highlighted. It underscores that trust in God does not preclude prudent human effort.