2 Chronicles 32 7

2 Chronicles 32:7 kjv

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:

2 Chronicles 32:7 nkjv

"Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him.

2 Chronicles 32:7 niv

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.

2 Chronicles 32:7 esv

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.

2 Chronicles 32:7 nlt

"Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side!

2 Chronicles 32 verses

2 Chronicles 32 7 Meaning

This verse is King Hezekiah's fervent exhortation to his people and military leaders amidst the terrifying invasion of Judah by Sennacherib, king of Assyria. It is a powerful call to faith and courage, urging them not to succumb to fear or dismay due to the overwhelming military might of the Assyrians. Hezekiah declares that the Lord God, who is "with us," possesses immeasurable power and is incomparably "greater" than the Assyrian king and his vast army, implicitly including any pagan deities they might invoke. It serves as a profound statement of trust in God's presence and supreme sovereignty over all earthly powers and boasts.

2 Chronicles 32 7 Context

This verse is situated during one of Judah's most perilous moments under King Hezekiah's reign, around 701 BC. Following Hezekiah's reforms that cleansed Judah of idolatry and reinstituted proper worship of Yahweh, he also asserted Judah's independence from Assyrian vassalage. This defiance provoked Sennacherib, the powerful Assyrian king, to launch a massive invasion. By the time this verse is spoken, most fortified cities of Judah had fallen, and Jerusalem was surrounded, isolated, and under imminent threat. The Assyrian army was renowned for its brutal efficiency, vast numbers, and psychological warfare, boasting of the weakness of local deities against their god, Ashur, and their military might.

Hezekiah, in preparation, had already taken practical defensive measures, strengthening walls, cutting off water to the besiegers, and arming his people (2 Chron 32:1-6). Yet, despite these physical preparations, he recognized that the greatest challenge was the morale of his people, who were facing overwhelming odds. His address is a critical moment of leadership, seeking to fortify their spirits by pointing them to a spiritual reality far greater than the daunting physical threat. It stands as a direct counter-narrative to Assyrian propaganda that mocked other nations' gods and celebrated Assyria's perceived invincibility, positioning Yahweh as supreme over all, including the Assyrian empire and its deities.

2 Chronicles 32 7 Word analysis

• Be strong: The Hebrew word is חִזְקוּ (khizqū), an imperative plural from the root חָזַק (khazaq), meaning to be strong, to be firm, to prevail. It denotes a call to internal resolve, firmness of character, and the development of inner resilience in the face of adversity. This strength is not just physical but refers to mental and spiritual fortitude.
• and courageous: The Hebrew word is וְאִמְצוּ (w'imtsū), also an imperative plural from אָמַץ (amats), meaning to be strong, bold, to brace oneself. Often paired with khazaq, this combination creates a hendiadys, emphasizing a comprehensive and unwavering resolve—not just strength but the boldness and confidence that stems from it. This duo appears frequently in the Bible for leadership succession (e.g., Moses to Joshua, David to Solomon), highlighting a spiritual enablement rather than just natural courage.
• do not be afraid: The Hebrew is תִּירְאוּ (tîr'ū), a negative imperative plural from יָרֵא (yare'), meaning to fear, revere, stand in awe. In this context, it strictly means not to give way to terror or paralyzing dread. It directly addresses the common human response to overwhelming danger.
• or dismayed: The Hebrew is תֵּחַתּוּ (tēchattū), a negative imperative plural from חָתַת (chatat), meaning to be broken, dismayed, discouraged, or terrified. This goes beyond mere fear to a state of inner collapse, discouragement, or spiritual brokenness that prevents action and hope. Hezekiah is commanding them not to lose heart or give up.
• because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the multitude that is with him: This clearly identifies the source of their potential fear: the human king (Sennacherib) and his enormous, powerful army. It is a direct acknowledgment of the tangible threat, highlighting that their fear would be rational from a worldly perspective. The "multitude" underscores the vastness and overwhelming numerical superiority of the Assyrian forces. This description likely included their famed military might, chariots, archers, and siege engines.
• for the one with us: This phrase, literally "because with us," elliptically refers to God. It highlights God's active presence and involvement ("Immanuel" concept) alongside His people. It contrasts God's singularity with the enemy's multitude, asserting His infinite nature against their finite numbers. This underscores God's personal identification with His people.
• is greater: The Hebrew is גָּדוֹל (gādōl), meaning great, large, powerful, mighty. Here, it signifies not merely size, but superiority in power, authority, wisdom, and might. It's an affirmation of God's transcendence and omnipotence, setting Him above any earthly power or king. It refutes the Assyrian boasts about their gods and military supremacy, proclaiming Yahweh's unparalleled greatness.
• than the one with him: Again, elliptical, referring to Sennacherib, and implicitly encompassing his human might, the prowess of his army, and, crucially, any deities or spiritual powers they claimed for themselves or trusted in. It establishes a divine-human binary where God's power definitively outweighs any combination of human strength or pagan gods.

Words-group analysis:

• "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or dismayed": This quartet of imperatives is a powerful and comprehensive command concerning the inner disposition required for faithful endurance. It moves from active resolution ("be strong and courageous") to the elimination of debilitating negative emotions ("do not be afraid or dismayed"), providing a complete spiritual and emotional fortification. This kind of exhortation is foundational in the Bible for those facing overwhelming odds, always rooted in divine presence and promise.
• "because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the multitude that is with him": This phrase precisely targets the visible, earthly sources of fear. It shows that Hezekiah understood the human psychological impact of the threat. By naming the fear-inducing agents, he validates the realness of the threat but then immediately undermines its ultimate authority by contrasting it with God's power. It highlights the vast, humanly unconquerable opposition.
• "for the one with us is greater than the one with him": This is the theological lynchpin of the verse and Hezekiah's argument. It pivots from the earthly reality to a heavenly one. It establishes God as the supreme entity, diminishing all human and spiritual opposition in comparison. The emphasis is on God's immanent presence ("with us") combined with His transcendent power ("greater"), assuring victory regardless of earthly numbers or might. This declaration elevates the spiritual dimension of warfare above the physical.

2 Chronicles 32 7 Bonus section

• Echoes of Joshua's commission: Hezekiah's words strongly echo the divine commands given to Joshua upon assuming leadership (Josh 1:6-9), emphasizing strength and courage due to God's unfailing presence. This demonstrates Hezekiah's leadership style mirroring that of a God-appointed leader, encouraging obedience and faith in dire circumstances.
• Polemic against idolatry: Implicitly, "the one with him" refers not only to Sennacherib's human might but also to the pagan gods the Assyrians worshipped and boasted of. Hezekiah's statement serves as a potent theological polemic, asserting Yahweh's singular, unmatched greatness against the impotent idols and false deities of the powerful Assyrian Empire. It was a declaration of theological superiority designed to strengthen the Judahites' monotheistic faith.
• Visible vs. Invisible Armies: While the Assyrian army was vast and visible, the text implicitly points to an invisible force supporting Judah—God's heavenly armies (e.g., 2 Ki 6:16-17; 2 Chron 32:21 where "the angel of the Lord" strikes the Assyrian camp). Hezekiah is guiding his people to recognize this greater spiritual reality.
• Divine Empowerment: The Hebrew imperatives for "be strong" and "courageous" imply that these are not merely human resolves but qualities divinely imparted and sustained. The ability to be fearless in the face of such a terrifying enemy comes from an understanding and experience of God's power and faithfulness.

2 Chronicles 32 7 Commentary

Hezekiah's address in 2 Chronicles 32:7 is a masterful piece of spiritual leadership during an existential crisis. He doesn't sugarcoat the enemy's strength ("the king of Assyria," "all the multitude") but places it in divine perspective. His commands—"Be strong and courageous," "do not be afraid or dismayed"—are not calls to irrational bravado but to a courage rooted in faith. The bedrock of his argument, "for the one with us is greater than the one with him," is a timeless truth about God's sovereignty. This truth transcends the physical battlefield, assuring that God's power surpasses all worldly or spiritual opposition, whether that of powerful nations or the forces of darkness. It transforms a seemingly hopeless military conflict into a declaration of faith in Yahweh's ultimate dominion.

Practically, this verse reminds believers today that:

• In overwhelming difficulties, look beyond the visible threat to the invisible, ever-present God.
• True courage comes from reliance on God, not personal strength or denial of danger.
• God's presence ("with us") and His inherent supremacy ("greater") are the ultimate guarantors of victory in all spiritual and life battles.