2 Chronicles 33 14

2 Chronicles 33:14 kjv

Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.

2 Chronicles 33:14 nkjv

After this he built a wall outside the City of David on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate; and it enclosed Ophel, and he raised it to a very great height. Then he put military captains in all the fortified cities of Judah.

2 Chronicles 33:14 niv

Afterward he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, west of the Gihon spring in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate and encircling the hill of Ophel; he also made it much higher. He stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah.

2 Chronicles 33:14 esv

Afterward he built an outer wall for the city of David west of Gihon, in the valley, and for the entrance into the Fish Gate, and carried it around Ophel, and raised it to a very great height. He also put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities in Judah.

2 Chronicles 33:14 nlt

After this Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, from west of the Gihon Spring in the Kidron Valley to the Fish Gate, and continuing around the hill of Ophel. He built the wall very high. And he stationed his military officers in all of the fortified towns of Judah.

2 Chronicles 33 verses

2 Chronicles 33 14 Meaning

After his profound repentance and return to Jerusalem, King Manasseh demonstrated his changed heart through decisive action. He undertook significant reconstruction and fortification of Jerusalem, building a high outer wall for the City of David, extending from west of the Gihon Spring in the valley to the Fish Gate, and encompassing the Ophel. Additionally, he appointed military commanders throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, thereby re-establishing robust security and defense for his kingdom. This verse portrays Manasseh's tangible efforts to restore order and protect his people after his earlier reign of spiritual and national decline.

2 Chronicles 33 14 Context

2 Chronicles 33:14 follows the detailed account of King Manasseh's exceedingly wicked reign. Initially, Manasseh deviated from the path of his father Hezekiah, rebuilding idolatrous altars, setting up Asherah poles, worshiping astrological deities, sacrificing his own children, and practicing divination and witchcraft, which provoked the Lord to anger (2 Chr 33:1-9). This blatant disregard for God led to Judah's imminent judgment. The Lord sent the Assyrian army, who captured Manasseh, put him in shackles, and took him to Babylon (v. 10-11). It was in this state of captivity and utter humility that Manasseh cried out to the Lord, humbling himself greatly, and the Lord heard his plea and restored him to his kingdom in Jerusalem (v. 12-13). Verse 14, therefore, marks a pivotal moment, describing the physical and military actions Manasseh took after his genuine repentance and restoration. These acts of strengthening Jerusalem's defenses and reorganizing the army served as visible evidence of his changed heart and his renewed commitment to responsible governance, contrasting sharply with his earlier actions that spiritually and physically endangered his kingdom.

2 Chronicles 33 14 Word analysis

• Afterward (וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן – wə’aḥărê-ḵēn): This temporal marker signals a significant shift and directly connects the king's subsequent actions to his preceding repentance and restoration. It indicates that the physical and administrative changes are direct consequences of his changed spiritual state.
• he built (בָּנָה – bānāh): The Hebrew verb "banah" means to build, establish, or reconstruct. This emphasizes an active, constructive effort by Manasseh, symbolizing a rebuilding not just of physical structures but also of trust and stability after a period of neglect and destruction.
• an outer wall (חוֹמָה חִיצוֹנָה – ḥômāh ḥîṣônāh): A defensive fortification. This refers to an external or encircling wall, indicating a focus on comprehensive defense. Its construction reflects Manasseh's renewed commitment to protect his capital and people.
• for the City of David (לְעִיר דָּוִיד – lə‘îr Dāwîḏ): The original ancient Jebusite fortress captured by King David, forming the oldest and most vital part of Jerusalem, south of the Temple Mount. Reinforcing this area signified securing the historical and spiritual heart of the kingdom.
• west of Gihon (מַעֲרָבָה לַגִּיחוֹן – ma‘ărābāh laGîḥôn): The Gihon Spring, located in the Kidron Valley on Jerusalem's east side, was the city's main water source. Building a wall to its west implies extending fortifications to secure approaches to this crucial resource, potentially safeguarding the water conduit built by Hezekiah.
• in the valley (בַּנַּחַל – bannaḥal): This most likely refers to the Kidron Valley to the east of Jerusalem or perhaps the Tyropoeon Valley, which bisects the city. Building in the valley indicates construction on challenging terrain for defensive purposes, closing gaps in the city's perimeter.
• and to the entrance of the Fish Gate (וְעַד־שַׁעַר הַדָּגִים – wə‘aḏ-ša‘ar haDdāḡîm): A specific gate located on the northern wall of Jerusalem, mentioned in Neh 3:3 and Neh 12:39. This detail indicates the considerable extent of Manasseh's wall construction, securing a key entry point into the city, likely named because fish from the Sea of Galilee and other areas were brought in through it.
• and he encircled the Ophel with it (וְהֵקִיף בָּאֹפֶל – wəhêqîp̄ bā’Ōp̄el): The Ophel (from Hebrew 'ophel meaning "hill," "fortified mound") was a prominent spur of land south of the Temple Mount, adjacent to the City of David. Encircling it meant fortifying a strategically elevated and central area, ensuring the defense of both the palace and Temple areas.
• and made it very high (וַיַּגְבִּיהֶהּ מְאֹד – wayyaḡbîheha mê’ōḏ): Emphasizes the formidable nature and robust construction of the wall. This was not a minor repair but a significant defensive enhancement, indicative of a serious and permanent effort to ensure security.
• and he put commanders of the army (וְשָׂמַח שָׂרֵי הַחַיִל – wəśāmaḥ śārê haḥayil): This refers to appointing military officers or garrisons. This administrative action signifies a reorganization and strengthening of the military, a practical step in re-establishing national security and readiness after his kingdom's vulnerability.
• in all the fortified cities of Judah (בְּכֹל עָרֵי הַמִּבְצָר בִּיהוּדָה – bəḵol ‘ārê hammibṣār bîhûḏāh): This shows that Manasseh's reforms extended beyond Jerusalem, indicating a comprehensive national defense strategy, providing protection and stability across the entire kingdom of Judah.

• "Afterward he built an outer wall... and he encircled the Ophel with it, and made it very high;": This phrase details Manasseh's concrete actions as a transformed ruler. It highlights his dedication to physical reconstruction and enhancement of national security. The deliberate effort to fortify the critical parts of Jerusalem signifies a king acting responsibly to protect his people, reversing the neglect and spiritual compromise of his earlier reign that weakened the kingdom.
• "and he put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities of Judah": This signifies a wider, systematic effort to establish military order and defense throughout the entire kingdom, not just the capital. It reflects a shift from internal corruption to outward protective measures, demonstrating comprehensive national governance. These actions are seen as direct results or "fruit" of his repentance (cf. Matt 3:8).

2 Chronicles 33 14 Bonus section

• Manasseh's building activities in 2 Chronicles 33:14 echo those of earlier good kings, such as Uzziah (2 Chr 26:9) and Hezekiah (2 Chr 32:5), thus subtly portraying his return to kingly righteousness as prescribed by the covenant.
• The meticulous detailing of the wall's path provides valuable archaeological insights, suggesting the precise topography of Jerusalem's defenses during this period of the late Judean monarchy. This verse acts as an important historical record.
• The chronicler emphasizes Manasseh's personal initiative ("he built," "he encircled," "he put"), reinforcing his individual agency and the tangible outworking of his inner change, serving as a powerful lesson on the transformative power of divine mercy on individual leadership.

2 Chronicles 33 14 Commentary

2 Chronicles 33:14 details King Manasseh's significant physical and military reforms that followed his miraculous restoration after genuine repentance. These actions serve as compelling evidence of his profound spiritual transformation. Having previously engaged in egregious idolatry and wickedness that jeopardized Judah's very existence, Manasseh now actively worked to fortify the kingdom. The comprehensive building project in Jerusalem, specifically focusing on critical defensive areas like the City of David, the Ophel, and extending to the Fish Gate, underscores his commitment to security. Making the walls "very high" indicated not mere repairs, but robust enhancements designed for serious protection. Furthermore, his appointment of military commanders across Judah's fortified cities illustrated a systematic, kingdom-wide effort to re-establish stability and defense. This passage profoundly demonstrates that true repentance is not just sorrow for sin but often leads to tangible, restorative actions, seeking to undo damage and establish what is good and secure for others. It emphasizes the biblical principle that God's grace leads to a renewed life characterized by righteous and responsible stewardship.