King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then, taking courage, he rebuilt all the broken sections of the wall, raised towers on it, built another wall outside that, strengthened the Millo in the City of David, and made a large quantity of spears and shields.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.
American Standard Version:
And he took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and the other wall without, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Also he strengthened{H2388} himself, and built up{H1129} all the wall{H2346} that was broken{H6555}, and raised it up{H5927} to the towers{H4026}, and another{H312} wall{H2346} without{H2351}, and repaired{H2388} Millo{H4407} in the city{H5892} of David{H1732}, and made{H6213} darts{H7973} and shields{H4043} in abundance{H7230}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Chronicles 25:23
- And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
1 Kings 9:24
- But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David unto her house which [Solomon] had built for her: then did he build Millo.
2 Samuel 5:9
- So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
2 Kings 25:4
- And the city was broken up, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which [is] by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees [were] against the city round about:) and [the king] went the way toward the plain.
Isaiah 22:9
- Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
Isaiah 22:10
- And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
1 Kings 11:27
- And this [was] the cause that he lifted up [his] hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, [and] repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Chronicles 32:5
2 Chronicles 32:5 is a verse that captures a moment in the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, a monarch known for his religious reforms and for facing the military threat of the Assyrian Empire. The historical context is the late 8th century BCE, a time when the Neo-Assyrian Empire was expanding and exerting pressure on the smaller kingdoms of the Levant, including Judah.
The verse itself describes the defensive measures taken by Hezekiah in response to the Assyrian threat, particularly from King Sennacherib. It highlights the king's proactive stance in fortifying Jerusalem against an impending siege. Specifically, Hezekiah undertakes several key military preparations:
1. **Strengthening the Walls**: Hezekiah repairs and reinforces the existing walls of Jerusalem that had been damaged or weakened over time. This was crucial for protecting the city from invasion.
2. **Raising Towers and Building an Additional Wall**: Not only does he repair the old walls, but he also constructs new defensive structures, raising the height of the towers for better visibility and defense, and building a second, outer wall for added protection.
3. **Repairing Millo**: The Millo was an important fortification within the city of David, which Hezekiah also repaired. Its exact location and nature are debated among scholars, but it was clearly a significant part of Jerusalem's defenses.
4. **Preparing Weapons**: Recognizing the need for a well-equipped fighting force, Hezekiah ensured that there were plenty of weapons, specifically "darts" (which could refer to arrows or javelins) and shields, for his soldiers.
The themes of the verse include preparedness, wisdom in the face of danger, and the importance of strong leadership in times of national crisis. Hezekiah's actions reflect a strategic and comprehensive approach to defense, combining physical fortifications with the preparation of military equipment. This verse also illustrates the broader biblical theme of trusting in God's protection while also taking prudent human action—a balance between faith and practicality. Hezekiah's efforts are later described as being successful in deterring the Assyrian siege, with the biblical narrative attributing the eventual withdrawal of the Assyrian forces to divine intervention as well as these fortification efforts.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2388
There are 266 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָזַק
Transliteration: châzaq
Pronunciation: khaw-zak'
Description: a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer; aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. - Strong's Number: H1129
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּנָה
Transliteration: bânâh
Pronunciation: baw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H2346
There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוֹמָה
Transliteration: chôwmâh
Pronunciation: kho-maw'
Description: feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection; wall, walled. - Strong's Number: H6555
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרַץ
Transliteration: pârats
Pronunciation: paw-rats'
Description: lemma פּרַץ missing vowel, corrected to פָּרַץ; a primitive root; to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative); [idiom] abroad, (make a) breach, break (away, down, -er, forth, in, up), burst out, come (spread) abroad, compel, disperse, grow, increase, open, press, scatter, urge. - Strong's Number: H5927
There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָלָה
Transliteration: ʻâlâh
Pronunciation: aw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. - Strong's Number: H4026
There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִגְדָּל
Transliteration: migdâl
Pronunciation: mig-dawl'
Description: also (in plural) feminine מִגְדָּלָה; from גָּדַל; a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers; castle, flower, tower. Compare the names following. - Strong's Number: H312
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחֵר
Transliteration: ʼachêr
Pronunciation: akh-air'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.; (an-) other man, following, next, strange. - Strong's Number: H2351
There are 159 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוּץ
Transliteration: chûwts
Pronunciation: khoots
Description: or (shortened) חֻץ; (both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors; abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without. - Strong's Number: H4407
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִלּוֹא
Transliteration: millôwʼ
Pronunciation: mil-lo'
Description: or מִלֹּא; (2 Kings 12:20), from מָלֵא; a rampart (as filled in), i.e. the citadel; Millo. See also בֵּית מִלּוֹא. - Strong's Number: H5892
There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עִיר
Transliteration: ʻîyr
Pronunciation: eer
Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. - Strong's Number: H1732
There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּוִד
Transliteration: Dâvid
Pronunciation: daw-veed'
Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H7973
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁלַח
Transliteration: shelach
Pronunciation: sheh'-lakh
Description: from שָׁלַח; a missile of attack, i.e. spear; also (figuratively) a shoot of growth; i.e. branch; dart, plant, [idiom] put off, sword, weapon. - Strong's Number: H4043
There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָגֵן
Transliteration: mâgên
Pronunciation: maw-gane'
Description: also (in plural) feminine מְגִנָּה; from גָּנַן; a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile; [idiom] armed, buckler, defence, ruler, [phrase] scale, shield. - Strong's Number: H7230
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹב
Transliteration: rôb
Pronunciation: robe
Description: from רָבַב; abundance (in any respect); abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age).