King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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,
Complete Jewish Bible:
He appointed military commanders over the people, then gathered them before him in the open space at the city gate and spoke these words of encouragement to them:
Berean Standard Bible:
Hezekiah appointed military commanders over the people and gathered the people in the square of the city gate. Then he encouraged them, saying,
American Standard Version:
And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he set{H5414} captains{H8269} of war{H4421} over the people{H5971}, and gathered them together{H6908} to him in the street{H7339} of the gate{H8179} of the city{H5892}, and spake{H1696} comfortably{H3824} to them, saying{H559},
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Chronicles 30:22
- And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.
Isaiah 40:2
- Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.
Ezra 10:9
- Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It [was] the ninth month, on the twentieth [day] of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of [this] matter, and for the great rain.
Nehemiah 8:16
- So the people went forth, and brought [them], and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
2 Chronicles 17:14
- And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.
2 Chronicles 17:19
- These waited on the king, beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
Genesis 34:3
- And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
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Commentary for 2 Chronicles 32:6
2 Chronicles 32:6 is part of a narrative describing a critical moment in the history of Judah under the reign of King Hezekiah. The verse is set against the backdrop of an impending Assyrian invasion, led by the formidable King Sennacherib. As the military threat loomed, Hezekiah, known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, took decisive action to prepare his people for the impending siege.
In this verse, Hezekiah demonstrates his leadership by appointing military officers over the people of Jerusalem. These officers would have been responsible for organizing the city's defenses and ensuring the readiness of the population for the coming conflict. The king then summoned the people to a strategic location—the street of the gate of the city—which would have been a central and secure place for public gatherings and announcements. Here, Hezekiah addressed his subjects with words of encouragement and reassurance, aiming to bolster their morale and fortitude in the face of danger.
The theme of this verse centers on leadership, preparation, and the psychological aspect of warfare. Hezekiah's actions reflect his role not only as a military leader but also as a shepherd to his people, providing guidance and hope during a time of existential threat. His speech, though not detailed in this verse, is characterized as "comfortably," suggesting that he spoke with confidence and a calming presence, seeking to instill courage and trust in God's protection. This moment underscores the importance of both military preparedness and spiritual fortitude, as the people of Judah were being encouraged to rely on their faith as well as their fortifications in the upcoming struggle against a powerful enemy.
Historically, this event is significant as it highlights the resilience of the Kingdom of Judah and the effectiveness of Hezekiah's leadership. Despite the overwhelming strength of the Assyrian army, Jerusalem was ultimately delivered from the siege, an outcome that was attributed to divine intervention (as described later in 2 Chronicles 32:20-22 and also in Isaiah 37:36-38). Hezekiah's actions at the city gate, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 32:6, were a crucial part of the city's successful defense and have been remembered as an example of inspiring leadership in the face of adversity.
*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: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H8269
There are 368 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׂר
Transliteration: sar
Pronunciation: sar
Description: from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. - Strong's Number: H4421
There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
Transliteration: milchâmâh
Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H6908
There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָבַץ
Transliteration: qâbats
Pronunciation: kaw-bats'
Description: a primitive root; to grasp, i.e. collect; assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up. - Strong's Number: H7339
There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רְחֹב
Transliteration: rᵉchôb
Pronunciation: rekh-obe'
Description: or רְחוֹב; from רָחַב; a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area; broad place (way), street. See also בֵּית רְחוֹב. - Strong's Number: H8179
There are 302 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׁעַר
Transliteration: shaʻar
Pronunciation: shah'-ar
Description: from שָׁעַר in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate; city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). - 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: H1696
There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָבַר
Transliteration: dâbar
Pronunciation: daw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. - Strong's Number: H3824
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵבָב
Transliteration: lêbâb
Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.