2 Chronicles 32 6

2 Chronicles 32:6 kjv

And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,

2 Chronicles 32:6 nkjv

Then he set military captains over the people, gathered them together to him in the open square of the city gate, and gave them encouragement, saying,

2 Chronicles 32:6 niv

He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words:

2 Chronicles 32:6 esv

And he set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together to him in the square at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,

2 Chronicles 32:6 nlt

He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate. Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying:

2 Chronicles 32 verses

2 Chronicles 32 6 Meaning

King Hezekiah, facing the imminent Assyrian invasion, took decisive leadership by appointing military commanders to oversee the people's defense. He then gathered all the citizens together in the public square at the city gate and spoke words of deep comfort and encouragement to their hearts, preparing them for the daunting challenge ahead.

2 Chronicles 32 6 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 32 chronicles King Hezekiah's formidable challenge when Sennacherib, the powerful Assyrian king, invaded Judah after Hezekiah's widespread religious reforms. The previous chapters highlighted Hezekiah's piety and reestablishment of true worship in Judah. Sennacherib's campaign aimed to consolidate Assyrian control and subdue revolting vassal states, including Judah. Verse 6 depicts Hezekiah's response following the capture of many Judean fortified cities and as Sennacherib set his sights on Jerusalem. It details the king's strategic, human effort to organize defense, culminating in a public address to inspire the people. This act of preparation and leadership precedes the iconic prayer of Hezekiah and Isaiah, and God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, setting the stage for one of the Bible's great narratives of divine intervention. Historically, this event took place around 701 BC, during a period when Assyria was the dominant superpower in the Near East, frequently intimidating nations with its vast military.

2 Chronicles 32 6 Word Analysis

• And he set: Refers to King Hezekiah, highlighting his active role as the leader who initiated and directed the city's defense. This verb conveys intentional and decisive action.
• captains of war: Hebrew: sarê milchamah (שָׂרֵי מִלְחָמָה). Sarim means "commanders" or "chiefs," and milchamah refers to "war" or "battle." This signifies Hezekiah's practical and skilled military organization by appointing experienced officers to lead the people's defensive efforts.
• over the people: Implies a general mobilization or assignment of authority over the entire populace, indicating a concerted effort where all citizens, not just a standing army, were part of the defensive plan.
• and gathered them together: Hebrew: vayqabbetsem (וַיְקַבְּצֵם), from the root qabats (קָבַץ), meaning "to gather," "assemble," or "collect." This underscores the urgency and collective nature of the assembly, emphasizing a purposeful, unified response.
• to him: Signifies that the gathering was at Hezekiah's specific command and presence, emphasizing his personal oversight and direct communication with his subjects. The people were assembling to receive direction and comfort directly from their king.
• in the street of the gate of the city: Hebrew: rechov sha'ar ha'ir (רְחוֹב שַׁעַר הָעִיר). The "street" (rechov) refers to a wide, open public square or plaza. The "gate of the city" was a highly significant location in ancient cities, serving as the main entrance, a place of judicial proceedings, market activity, social gathering, and public pronouncements. Gathering here provided visibility, centralized communication, and easy access for all citizens, underscoring the gravity and public nature of the message.
• and spake comfortably to them: Hebrew: vaydabber al-libbam (וַיְדַבֵּר עַל־לִבָּם), literally "and he spoke to their heart." This is a rich idiom meaning to speak in an encouraging, comforting, reassuring, or inspiring manner. It goes beyond merely giving orders; it reflects a leader addressing the deepest fears and anxieties of his people, aiming to lift their spirits and instill courage and confidence in God amidst overwhelming despair. This highlights Hezekiah's empathetic and pastoral leadership.
• saying: Introduces the specific content of Hezekiah's motivational address to his people, as recorded in the subsequent verses (2 Chr 32:7-8). This marks a transition from physical preparation to spiritual and psychological preparation.

2 Chronicles 32 6 Bonus section

Hezekiah's specific act of "speaking comfortably to them" serves as a direct and conscious antithesis to the psychological warfare waged by Sennacherib's rabshakeh (field commander), who explicitly tried to discourage Judah's resolve through demoralizing threats and lies (2 Kgs 18:28-35; Isa 36:13-20). While the enemy aimed to break their will through terror, Hezekiah intentionally sought to fortify their spirits through truth and comfort derived from God. This idiomatic expression also echoes prophetic language where God Himself comforts His people (e.g., Isa 40:1). This blending of military command with spiritual comfort illustrates a multi-faceted and divinely inspired leadership that transcends mere secular management, emphasizing the king's role as a shepherd for his people's spiritual as well as physical well-being. It underscores the biblical principle that genuine strength in crisis comes from both strategic action and unwavering trust in the Lord, nurtured by empathetic and faith-filled communication.

2 Chronicles 32 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 32:6 beautifully portrays Hezekiah's comprehensive and godly leadership in a moment of extreme national crisis. Recognizing the overwhelming Assyrian threat, he didn't merely pray but also acted prudently by appointing skilled military leaders and strategically mobilizing his entire population. Critically, his leadership extended beyond physical preparations to include spiritual and emotional strengthening. By gathering the people in a prominent public space, Hezekiah demonstrated transparent leadership. His choice to "speak comfortably to them" – literally, to speak to their very hearts – highlights his empathetic understanding of their deep-seated fear and anxiety. This was not a perfunctory order, but a profound act of spiritual encouragement designed to bolster their morale, unite them in purpose, and ultimately direct their trust from their own vulnerability to God's unfailing power, preparing them to hear his direct call to faith in the following verses. He blended practical readiness with a deep pastoral care for his people's souls, essential for facing an existential threat.