Hezekiah's Illness, Pride, and the Babylonian Envoys
2 Chronicles 32:24-33
2 C.32.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יחזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- למות: VERB,qal,inf
- ויתפלל: VERB,hitpael,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ומופת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 38:1 (verbal): Direct parallel: Isaiah records Hezekiah's illness 'unto death' and the prophet's message; Chronicles summarizes the same episode (same vocabulary and setting).
- 2 Kings 20:1 (verbal): Parallel narrative in Kings: Hezekiah is sick unto death, is told to set his house in order, prays to the LORD, and receives a divine response—closely matching Chronicles' report.
- Isaiah 38:8 (verbal): Specific detail of the 'sign' promised to Hezekiah—the sundial's shadow going back ten steps—given explicitly in Isaiah though only alluded to in Chronicles.
- 2 Kings 20:6 (thematic): Expands the outcome summarized in Chronicles: God answers Hezekiah by promising to add fifteen years to his life and deliver him from the Assyrian threat—ties to 'he prayed…and He answered him.'
- James 5:14-15 (thematic): New Testament parallel theme: prayer for the sick (elders anointing and praying) leading to healing or forgiveness of sins—echoes the theological motif of prayer resulting in divine healing in Hezekiah's case.
Alternative generated candidates
- In those days Hezekiah fell ill and was at the point of death; he prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered him and gave him a sign.
- In those days Hezekiah became ill unto death; he prayed to the LORD, and the LORD gave him a sign.
2 C.32.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- כגמל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- השיב: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- יחזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- גבה: ADJ,m,sg
- לבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וירושלם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:18-21 (structural): Parallel narrative in Kings: Hezekiah received envoys from Babylon, showed them his treasures, and Isaiah pronounces future exile — the account corresponds to Chronicles' note that Hezekiah's proud heart brought wrath upon Judah and Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 39:1-8 (quotation): Isaiah's prophetic report of the Babylonian envoys and the resulting judgment directly parallels the Chronicler's explanation that Hezekiah's pride provoked divine wrath and future punishment.
- Proverbs 16:18 (thematic): General wisdom principle—'Pride goes before destruction'—echoes the theological cause-and-effect in Chronicles: Hezekiah's exalted heart led to wrath and downfall.
- Proverbs 29:23 (thematic): Affirms the motif that pride brings humiliation; thematically parallels the statement that Hezekiah's haughty heart resulted in judgment on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was proud; therefore there came wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
- But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him—his heart was proud—and there came wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
2 C.32.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכנע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יחזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וישבי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יחזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 12:7 (verbal): Similar wording and pattern: when the people humbled themselves the LORD’s wrath was withheld (Shemaiah’s oracle after Shishak’s invasion) — a close verbal/thematic parallel to Hezekiah’s humility averting wrath.
- 2 Kings 20:19-21 (structural): Parallel account in the Deuteronomistic history of Hezekiah’s reign; the Kings narrative corresponds to Chronicles’ report of Hezekiah’s actions, pride, humility and the outcome in his days.
- Jonah 3:10 (thematic): When Nineveh humbled itself and repented, God 'relented' and did not execute the threatened judgment — same theme of humility/repentance preventing divine wrath.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (thematic): The canonical promise that if God’s people 'humble themselves' and pray, God will 'heal' and not bring punishment — a doctrinal parallel to the mechanism described in 2 Chr 32:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart—he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—and the anger of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
- So Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart—he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—and the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
2 C.32.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ליחזקיהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- וכבוד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- ואצרות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לכסף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולזהב: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולאבן: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יקרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ולבשמים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולמגנים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולכל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- חמדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:13 (verbal): Very close wording — Hezekiah 'showed them all the house of his treasures' (silver, gold, spices, precious oil, and armour), paralleling Chronicles' list of treasuries and desirable vessels.
- Isaiah 39:2 (verbal): Isaiah records that Hezekiah showed the Babylonian envoys 'all that was in his house' and his riches; the episode is the prophetic counterpart to Chronicles' notice of Hezekiah's wealth.
- 2 Kings 20:20-21 (structural): Kings offers a summary of Hezekiah's acts, wealth and honour and notes his eventual pride and illness — a parallel narrative frame to Chronicles' statement of abundance and its aftermath.
- 1 Kings 10:21-22 (thematic): Description of Solomon's golden vessels and vast treasures provides a royal parallel motif of monarchic wealth, treasuries and luxury vessels comparable to Hezekiah's stores.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hezekiah had riches and great honor; he made treasuries for himself of silver and gold, of precious stones and spices, of shields and every desirable vessel.
- Hezekiah had great riches and much honor; he made for himself treasuries of silver and gold, and of precious stones, spices, shields, and every desirable vessel.
2 C.32.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומסכנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לתבואת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- דגן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותירוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויצהר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וארות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לכל: PREP
- בהמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובהמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועדרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאורות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:20–21 (structural): Parallel narrative to Chronicles' account of Hezekiah’s reign; the Books of Kings give the same summary of Hezekiah’s acts and riches (Chronicles expands with specifics such as storehouses and provisions).
- 2 Chronicles 31:11–12 (verbal): Same administrative/temporal context in Hezekiah’s reforms: appointment of treasuries and storehouses for grain, wine and oil and for the needs of the cult and people—same concern with official provisioning and storage.
- Genesis 41:48–49 (thematic): Joseph’s organized storage of grain in Egypt during seven years of plenty parallels the theme of royal storehouses for grain and provisions to sustain the land and livestock.
- 1 Kings 4:22–28 (thematic): Description of Solomon’s large-scale provisioning (daily supplies, grain, straw for horses, flocks and herds) parallels the royal concern for abundant foodstuffs, oil/wine and stalls for animals found in Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- He made storehouses for the produce of grain and wine and oil, and stalls for every beast, and folds for the flocks and herds.
- He had storehouses for grain, wine, and oil, and stalls for every beast and pens for the herds.
2 C.32.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וערים: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ומקנה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובקר: CONJ,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רכוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- 2 Chr.17:5-6 (verbal): Similar wording and theme: a king prospers and 'had riches and honour in abundance' because the LORD was with him—parallels the attribution of Hezekiah's great possessions to God's blessing.
- 2 Kgs 20:13 (structural): Related episode involving Hezekiah's wealth: he shows his storehouses and treasures to envoys from Babylon—connects to the Chronicler's note that God had given Hezekiah great possessions.
- 2 Chr.26:10 (thematic): Uzziah's building and agricultural/stock improvements (towers, wells, livestock) echo Hezekiah's building of towns and acquisition of flocks—both passages link royal construction/activity with material increase.
- Gen.26:12-13 (thematic): Isaac's prospering ('he had possessions and grew great') because the LORD blessed him parallels the theological explanation here that God granted Hezekiah very great possessions.
Alternative generated candidates
- He built cities for himself and acquired flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very many possessions.
- He built cities for himself and acquired many flocks and herds, for God had given him very great possessions.
2 C.32.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- יחזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סתם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מוצא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גיחון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העליון: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ויישרם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- למטה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מערבה: ADV
- לעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויצלח: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יחזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעשהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suf3m
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:20 (verbal): Direct parallel reporting the same engineering act: Hezekiah stopped the upper spring of Gihon and brought the water to the west side of the city of David, and prospered in his works (near identical wording).
- 2 Chronicles 32:2-8 (structural): Contextual parallel within the same chapter describing Hezekiah’s defensive and engineering preparations (fortifying walls, building towers, blocking springs) in anticipation of Assyrian attack—same episode expanded.
- Isaiah 22:9-11 (thematic): Speaks of making a reservoir/works for the water of the old pool between Jerusalem’s walls—thematically related to controlling and redirecting Jerusalem’s water supply (likely referencing the same pool/Gihon waterworks).
- 1 Kings 1:33-45 (thematic): Mentions the spring of Gihon as the site of Solomon’s anointing; highlights the strategic and ceremonial importance of the Gihon spring and its relation to the city of David, echoing the significance of controlling Gihon’s waters.
Alternative generated candidates
- It was Hezekiah who stopped up the outlets of the upper Gihon and brought them down westward to the city of David; and Hezekiah prospered in all his work.
- Hezekiah stopped the outlet of the upper Gihon and directed it straight down westward to the City of David; and Hezekiah prospered in all his undertakings.
2 C.32.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכן: ADV
- במליצי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המשלחים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- לדרש: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- המופת: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- עזבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לנסותו: VERB,qal,inf+PRON,3,m,sg
- לדעת: VERB,qal,inf,-,-,-
- כל: DET
- בלבבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:12-19 (quotation): Parallel narrative of the Babylonian envoys visiting Hezekiah after his recovery; closely parallels the account and the idea that God left him to be tested and that consequences involving Babylon would follow.
- Isaiah 39:1-8 (quotation): Prophetic and narrative parallel giving the same episode (Babylonian envoys, Hezekiah’s display, and Isaiah’s prophecy); aligns with the theme that God permitted events to reveal Hezekiah’s heart and bring future judgment.
- Proverbs 17:3 (thematic): Uses the image of a furnace/crucible to describe how God tests and purifies, thematically echoing the statement that God 'left him to try him' to reveal what was in his heart.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (thematic): Affirms that God examines the heart rather than outward appearances, resonating with the Chronicle’s claim that God caused a trial in order to 'know all that was in his heart.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Likewise, as for the envoys of the princes of Babylon who were sent to inquire about the sign that had occurred in the land, God left them to test him, to know all that was in his heart.
- And as for the record of the princes of Babylon who sent envoys to inquire about the sign that had occurred in the land—God permitted them to come to test him, to know all that was in his heart.
2 C.32.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- יחזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחסדיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- הנם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- בחזון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמוץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:20 (verbal): Direct parallel wording: 2 Kings records 'the rest of the acts of Hezekiah' and refers readers to the book of the chronicles for further details, mirroring Chronicles' closing remark.
- Isaiah 36-39 (allusion): Chronicles explicitly cites 'the vision of Isaiah'; Isaiah 36–39 narrate the Sennacherib episode, Hezekiah's illness and recovery, and the visit of Babylonian envoys—material Chronicles attributes to Isaiah.
- 1 Kings 14:19 (structural): Same editorial formula found elsewhere: 'the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?'—a standard cross-reference formula in the Deuteronomistic/royal annals tradition.
- 2 Chronicles 24:27 (structural): Another instance within Chronicles using the same concluding/reference formula pointing readers to the book(s) of the kings/chronicles for fuller accounts of a king's deeds, illustrating Chronicle's editorial practice.
Alternative generated candidates
- The rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his deeds of kindness are written in the vision of Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
- The rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his deeds of devotion are written in the vision of Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
2 C.32.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יחזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- ויקברהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl,obj=3m
- במעלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קברי: NOUN,m,pl,cns
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכבוד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- במותו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וישבי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:20-21 (verbal): Almost identical wording: reports Hezekiah’s death, burial ‘in the upper part of the tombs of the sons of David,’ the honor shown to him, and that Manasseh his son reigned in his place.
- 2 Kings 21:1 (thematic): Begins the account of Manasseh’s reign—parallels Chronicles’ statement that Manasseh succeeded Hezekiah, emphasizing royal succession.
- 1 Kings 2:10 (thematic): Uses the common royal formula ‘slept with his fathers and was buried…’ (here of David); parallels the funerary formula and burial-in-David’s-city tradition.
- 2 Chr.26:23 (thematic): Another Chronicle royal epitaph (‘so he slept with his fathers and was buried…’) — illustrates the standard closing formula for a king’s reign and burial practice in Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hezekiah slept with his fathers; they buried him on the ascent of the tombs of the sons of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death, and his son Manasseh reigned in his place.
- Hezekiah slept with his fathers; they buried him on the ascent of the tombs of the sons of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his place.
In those days Hezekiah became sick and was near death. He prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him; for his heart was proud, and there came wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. So Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah. And Hezekiah had great riches and honor. He made storehouses for silver and for gold and for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for every desirable vessel.
He provided storehouses for the grain and for the wine and for the oil, and stalls for all the beasts, and pens for the flocks and herds.
He made cities for himself and acquired many flocks and herds; for God had given him abundant possessions.
He stopped the outlet of the upper spring of Gihon and directed it westward to the city of David. Hezekiah prospered in all his undertakings.
Also regarding the envoys of the princes of Babylon who came to inquire about the wonder that was in the land—God left them to test him, to know all that was in his heart.
The other deeds of Hezekiah and his acts of might are written in the vision of Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
Hezekiah slept with his fathers; they buried him in the ascent of the tombs of the sons of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death, and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.