2 Chronicles 30:20

KJV

And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} hearkened {H8085} to Hezekiah {H3169}, and healed {H7495} the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI heard Hizkiyahu and healed the people.

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 30:20 records a profound moment of divine grace and responsiveness during King Hezekiah's reign. Following years of spiritual decline, Hezekiah initiated a nationwide Passover celebration, inviting even those from the northern kingdom of Israel. Many who responded were ritually unclean, unable to participate according to the strict Mosaic Law. Recognizing their sincere desire to worship, Hezekiah interceded on their behalf, praying for God's pardon. This verse affirms that the LORD heard Hezekiah's compassionate plea and, in an act of profound mercy, accepted and "healed" the people, preventing any negative consequences of their impurity and restoring them to a right standing before Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climax and divine affirmation of King Hezekiah's spiritual revival efforts, detailed in [2 Chronicles 29](/2_chronicles/29 "2 Chronicles 29 - Hezekiah's Reforms") and [2 Chronicles 30](/2_chronicles/30 "2 Chronicles 30 - Hezekiah's Passover"). Having cleansed the temple and reinstituted proper worship, Hezekiah took the unprecedented step of inviting all Israel, including the remnants of the northern kingdom, to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem. [2 Chronicles 30:13-17](/2_chronicles/30-13 "2 Chronicles 30:13-17 - The Passover Celebration") describes the massive assembly and the challenges, particularly the ritual impurity of many participants. [2 Chronicles 30:18-19](/2_chronicles/30-18 "2 Chronicles 30:18-19 - Hezekiah's Prayer for the Unclean") directly precedes this verse, detailing Hezekiah's compassionate prayer for those who, despite their sincere hearts, had not purified themselves according to the sanctuary's requirements. [2 Chronicles 30:20](/2_chronicles/30-20 "2 Chronicles 30:20 - God's Response to Hezekiah's Prayer") is God's immediate and affirmative response to that specific intercession, demonstrating His priorities of heart-sincerity over rigid ritual adherence in this unique circumstance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hezekiah's reign (c. 715-686 BC) followed a period of severe apostasy in Judah under his father, King Ahaz, who had embraced idolatry and even closed the temple. The northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyria (722 BC), with many of its inhabitants deported, leaving a scattered remnant. The Passover celebration, a foundational covenant festival commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt, had likely not been properly observed for generations. Mosaic Law stipulated strict purification rituals for participating in sacred feasts, particularly the Passover, with severe consequences for those who partook while unclean (e.g., [Numbers 9:6-13](/numbers/9-6 "Numbers 9:6-13 - Passover for the Unclean")). Hezekiah's invitation to the northern tribes was culturally and politically significant, aiming to reunite the fractured people under the worship of the one true God. The dilemma of the unclean but eager participants presented a conflict between strict legal adherence and the spirit of worship, which Hezekiah resolved through prayer.

* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Mercy Over Ritual Purity:** This verse powerfully illustrates God's profound mercy and grace, demonstrating that He prioritizes the sincere desire of the heart to seek Him over strict ritualistic shortcomings. Despite the clear commands regarding purification for Passover, God looked past the external impurity to the inner disposition of the people, affirming that true worship stems from a repentant and devoted heart (as seen in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")). This highlights a consistent biblical theme that God values genuine relationship and internal righteousness more than mere outward conformity.
* **The Power of Intercessory Prayer:** God's immediate response, "the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah," underscores the profound effectiveness of a righteous leader's humble and selfless prayer for his people. Hezekiah's intercession was born of compassion and a deep understanding of God's character, and God clearly heard and answered it, affirming the importance and power of fervent, faith-filled prayer on behalf of others (a principle echoed in [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Effective Prayer of a Righteous Person")).
* **God's Healing and Restoration:** The phrase "and healed the people" refers to God's act of spiritual and perhaps even physical preservation. Since the people were ritually unclean, they would typically face consequences or be excluded from sacred activities, potentially even divine judgment. God's "healing" meant He accepted them despite their impurity, preventing any plague or judgment that might otherwise have occurred. It was a restoration of their spiritual standing before Him, a safeguarding against the consequences of their ritual uncleanness, and a testament to His willingness to forgive and restore.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearkened (Hebrew, _shama'_):** This verb signifies more than simply hearing a sound; it implies attentive listening, understanding, and, crucially, a responsive action. When God "hearkens," it means He has heard with intent to act, acknowledging and responding favorably to the prayer or plea. In this context, it emphasizes God's direct and positive response to Hezekiah's specific and compassionate intercession.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH_):** This is the sacred, covenant name of God, often translated as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." Its use here emphasizes God's personal, relational, and faithful character. It is the God who entered into covenant with Israel, who remembers His promises, and who actively intervenes in the lives of His people. The use of _YHWH_ underscores that this is not a generic deity but the specific, living God of Israel who is intimately involved with their spiritual well-being.
* **healed (Hebrew, _rapha'_):** While _rapha'_ frequently denotes physical recovery from illness (e.g., [Jeremiah 30:17](/jeremiah/30-17 "Jeremiah 30:17 - God's Healing of Wounds")), in this particular context, it carries a broader and primarily spiritual meaning. It signifies restoration, forgiveness, and making whole. It means God accepted the people despite their ritual impurity, overlooking their shortcomings because of their sincere desire to worship. It implies that God averted any potential divine judgment or consequences that might have arisen from their ritual uncleanness, restoring them to a state of acceptance and favor before Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah":** This clause highlights God's immediate and direct responsiveness to King Hezekiah's intercessory prayer. Hezekiah had prayed specifically for the ritually unclean people, asking for God's pardon based on their sincere heart to seek Him rather than their adherence to purification rituals. God's "hearkening" indicates His attentiveness to the prayers of His faithful servants, especially when those prayers are offered with compassion and align with His own character of mercy. It underscores the power and efficacy of intercessory prayer from a righteous leader.
* **"and healed the people":** This second clause describes the divine action resulting from God's favorable response. The "healing" here is not primarily physical but spiritual and relational. It means God accepted the people, forgave their ritual impurity, and prevented any negative consequences or judgment that might have otherwise befallen them for partaking in the Passover while unclean. It signifies a divine act of restoration, making them "whole" in their standing before Him, allowing their worship to be accepted and their lives to be preserved. This demonstrates God's grace triumphing over strict legalism when the heart is genuinely inclined towards Him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Conciseness** and **Divine Response Narrative**. Its brevity, a mere seven words in the Hebrew, delivers a profound theological truth with striking impact. This succinctness emphasizes the directness and immediacy of God's action. Furthermore, the verse functions as a clear example of a **Divine Response Narrative**, where a human action (Hezekiah's prayer in the preceding verses) is met with an explicit and powerful divine counter-action (God's hearkening and healing). This narrative pattern reinforces the concept of a God who actively engages with His people and responds to their petitions, particularly those offered in faith and compassion. The straightforward declaration of God's action also serves as a form of **Affirmation**, validating Hezekiah's leadership and the people's sincere, though imperfect, worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Chronicles 30:20](/2_chronicles/30-20 "2 Chronicles 30:20 - God's Response to Hezekiah's Prayer") stands as a powerful testament to God's character, revealing His profound mercy and grace that transcend rigid legalism when confronted with a sincere heart. It underscores the biblical principle that while God desires obedience, He ultimately values a repentant and devoted spirit above perfect external adherence. This incident demonstrates that God is not bound by human ritualistic limitations but is moved by genuine faith and a desire for relationship. It highlights His readiness to forgive and restore those who genuinely seek Him, even when they fall short of ideal standards, affirming His boundless love and willingness to extend compassion. The divine "healing" speaks to God's capacity to make whole, not just physically, but spiritually, restoring broken relationships and averting deserved judgment.

* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")
* [Psalm 51:17](/psalm/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers enduring encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God's grace is abundant and His mercy consistently triumphs over judgment. It challenges any tendency towards legalism, emphasizing that while obedience to His commands is vital, God ultimately prioritizes a humble, sincere heart that genuinely seeks Him over perfect adherence to every external rule or ritual. We are invited to approach God with confidence, even in our imperfections, knowing that His compassion is vast. The power of intercessory prayer is also profoundly affirmed; Hezekiah's selfless plea for others moved the heart of God, demonstrating that our prayers for those who are struggling or spiritually distant can indeed bring about divine intervention and restoration. This should inspire us to pray fervently for our communities, our leaders, and those who seek God with a sincere heart but may feel unworthy or fall short of perceived standards.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's response to Hezekiah's prayer challenge our understanding of ritual purity versus sincere faith?**
* **In what ways can we emulate Hezekiah's compassionate and intercessory leadership in our own spheres of influence, praying for those who are spiritually "unclean" or struggling?**
* **When have you experienced God's "healing" or restoration in your life, particularly when you felt unworthy or fell short of what you thought was required?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of God's grace and His priorities for His people in our contemporary context?**

### FAQ
**What does "healed the people" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In [2 Chronicles 30:20](/2_chronicles/30-20 "2 Chronicles 30:20 - God's Response to Hezekiah's Prayer"), "healed the people" (Hebrew: _rapha'_) primarily refers to God's act of spiritual and relational restoration and protection, rather than physical curing from an illness. Many of the people, especially those from the northern kingdom, had partaken in the Passover without undergoing the required ritual purification. According to Mosaic Law, this could have led to serious consequences, even divine judgment or being "cut off" from the community. God's "healing" meant He overlooked their ritual impurity due to their sincere desire to seek Him, accepted their worship, and averted any potential plague or judgment that might have otherwise occurred. It was an act of grace that restored them to a right standing before Him.

**Why was Hezekiah's prayer so effective?**

Answer: Hezekiah's prayer was effective for several reasons. Firstly, it was a selfless and compassionate prayer offered on behalf of others, demonstrating true pastoral concern for his people's spiritual well-being. Secondly, it was rooted in a deep understanding of God's character, appealing to His mercy and grace rather than strict legalism, as seen in [2 Chronicles 30:18-19](/2_chronicles/30-18 "2 Chronicles 30:18-19 - Hezekiah's Prayer for the Unclean"). Hezekiah recognized that God looks at the heart. Thirdly, Hezekiah himself was a righteous king who trusted fully in the LORD, setting an example for his people (as noted in [2 Kings 18:5](/2_kings/18-5 "2 Kings 18:5 - Hezekiah's Trust in the Lord")). God responds favorably to the prayers of His faithful servants, especially when they align with His own divine purposes and compassionate nature.

**Does this verse imply that ritual purity is unimportant?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that ritual purity or obedience to God's commands is unimportant. The Mosaic Law, including its purity codes, was given by God and was essential for maintaining holiness within the covenant community. However, [2 Chronicles 30:20](/2_chronicles/30-20 "2 Chronicles 30:20 - God's Response to Hezekiah's Prayer") highlights God's ultimate priority: a sincere heart that genuinely seeks Him. In this unique situation, where people had traveled far and truly desired to worship despite their inability to complete all purification rites, God's mercy triumphed. It teaches us that while God desires obedience to His commands, He is also a God of grace who looks beyond external adherence to the inner disposition of the heart, especially when there is genuine repentance and a longing for Him. This principle is consistent throughout Scripture, emphasizing that the spirit of the law often outweighs the letter when it comes to God's redemptive purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine response in [2 Chronicles 30:20](/2_chronicles/30-20 "2 Chronicles 30:20 - God's Response to Hezekiah's Prayer") beautifully foreshadows the ultimate work of Jesus Christ. Hezekiah's compassionate intercession for the ritually unclean people, leading to their acceptance and "healing" by God, serves as a powerful type of Christ's role as our great High Priest and Intercessor. Just as Hezekiah prayed for those who could not purify themselves, Jesus continually intercedes for us before the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession") and [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our Eternal Intercessor")). The "healing" of the people, which was a spiritual restoration and averting of judgment despite their impurity, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's atoning sacrifice. Through His shed blood, Jesus cleanses us not merely from ritual uncleanness but from the defilement of sin itself, making us truly pure and acceptable before God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood") and [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by the Blood of Jesus")). He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing a perfect and final purification that no ritual could ever achieve. Our access to God is no longer dependent on our ability to perfectly adhere to external rites, but on our sincere faith in Christ's finished work, allowing us to draw near with confidence to the [throne of grace](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence") despite our inherent unworthiness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

Psalms 103:3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

James 5:15

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:16

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.