2 Chronicles 32:10

KJV

Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} Sennacherib {H5576} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}, Whereon do ye trust {H982}, that ye abide {H3427} in the siege {H4692} in Jerusalem {H3389}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"This is what Sancheriv king of Ashur says: 'What gives you the confidence that you can endure a siege against Yerushalayim?

Berean Standard Bible

“This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?

American Standard Version

Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide the siege in Jerusalem?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 32:10 records the audacious taunt of Sennacherib, the powerful Assyrian king, directed at King Hezekiah and the besieged inhabitants of Jerusalem. This verse encapsulates the psychological warfare employed by Sennacherib, questioning the very foundation of Jerusalem's confidence and resilience amidst an overwhelming military threat, aiming to demoralize them into surrender without a direct assault.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah, specifically focusing on the siege of Jerusalem in 2 Chronicles 32. It follows Hezekiah's initial preparations for defense, including strengthening the city's fortifications and cutting off water supplies outside the city, and his inspiring words of encouragement to the people, urging them to trust in the Lord ([2 Chronicles 32:6-8](/2_chronicles/32-6 "2 Chronicles 32:6-8 - Hezekiah's Preparations and Encouragement")). Sennacherib's message here is part of a larger campaign of intimidation, paralleled in [2 Kings 18-19](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18 - Sennacherib's Invasion") and [Isaiah 36-37](/isaiah/36 "Isaiah 36 - Isaiah's Account of the Assyrian Invasion"), where the Assyrian Rabshakeh delivers similar, even more blasphemous, taunts against Judah and their God. The immediate literary context highlights the stark contrast between human arrogance and divine faithfulness, setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 2 Chronicles 32:10 took place around 701 BCE, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah and King Sennacherib of Assyria. Assyria was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, known for its brutal military tactics, efficient siege warfare, and psychological operations. Their strategy often involved devastating conquered lands, deporting populations, and using propaganda to break the will of their enemies before a final assault. Jerusalem was one of the last remaining strongholds in Judah, as Sennacherib had already captured many other fortified cities ([2 Kings 18:13](/2_kings/18-13 "2 Kings 18:13 - Sennacherib's Conquests")). The Assyrian taunt was a common element of ancient siege warfare, designed to undermine morale, sow discord, and provoke surrender, thereby avoiding costly battles. The question "Whereon do ye trust?" was not merely rhetorical but a direct challenge to Judah's perceived reliance on Egypt, their own fortifications, or, most importantly, their God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **trust**—specifically, the object of trust. Sennacherib's question forces the people to confront what they are truly relying upon in their desperate situation, setting up the contrast between human might and divine power. Secondly, it exemplifies **psychological warfare** as a significant tool of oppression, demonstrating how external forces attempt to undermine faith and resolve through intimidation and fear. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare, where the enemy seeks to sow doubt and despair. Finally, though not explicitly stated in this verse, the subsequent narrative of [2 Chronicles 32](/2_chronicles/32 "2 Chronicles 32 - God's Deliverance of Jerusalem") underscores the theme of **divine faithfulness and deliverance**. Sennacherib's taunt, intended to mock Judah's trust in God, ultimately serves to magnify God's miraculous intervention and vindication of those who truly rely on Him, as seen in [2 Chronicles 32:21-22](/2_chronicles/32-21 "2 Chronicles 32:21-22 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes the Assyrians").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trust (Hebrew, _bāṭaḥ'_):** The Hebrew word בָּטַח (_bāṭaḥ_) carries the meaning of leaning upon, relying on, having confidence in, or feeling secure. It implies a sense of safety and dependence. In this context, Sennacherib uses it to question the *basis* of Jerusalem's confidence. He is not asking *if* they trust, but *what* they trust in, implying that whatever it is, it is insufficient to save them from his might. Biblically, _bāṭaḥ_ is frequently used to describe reliance on God, contrasting with trust in human strength, wealth, or alliances (e.g., [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord")).
* **Siege (Hebrew, _māṣôr'_):** The Hebrew word מָצוֹר (_māṣôr_) refers to a state of being shut up, a blockade, or a siege. It denotes a military encirclement designed to cut off a city from outside supplies and aid, eventually forcing surrender through starvation or direct assault. The term emphasizes the dire, trapped, and vulnerable condition of Jerusalem. Sennacherib's question highlights the apparent hopelessness of their situation, implying that their "abiding" within the siege is a foolish act of defiance rather than a strategic endurance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and his authority. Sennacherib was the most powerful monarch of his time, and his words carried immense weight and terror. This formal declaration signals a direct, authoritative, and intimidating message from the imperial power to the beleaguered city.
* **"Whereon do ye trust,"**: This is the core of Sennacherib's psychological attack, framed as a rhetorical question. It challenges the very foundation of Jerusalem's hope and resilience. He seeks to expose what he perceives as their misguided or futile reliance, whether on their fortifications, their king, their allies, or their God. The question is designed to sow doubt and despair, suggesting that any object of their trust is ultimately powerless against the Assyrian war machine.
* **"that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?"**: This clause highlights the immediate, desperate reality of Jerusalem's situation. To "abide in the siege" means to remain trapped and surrounded, enduring the hardships and threats of a prolonged blockade. Sennacherib implies that their continued resistance is irrational and self-destructive, given the overwhelming Assyrian presence. He expects them to realize the futility of their position and surrender to avoid further suffering.

#### Literary Devices
Sennacherib's words in 2 Chronicles 32:10 employ several potent literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?" This is not a genuine inquiry seeking information, but a device designed to make the audience question their own convictions and the efficacy of their trust. It functions as a **Taunt**, a mocking challenge intended to demoralize and intimidate. By posing the question, Sennacherib assumes the answer is "nothing sufficient" or "something foolish," thereby undermining the morale of the besieged. There is also an element of **Irony**, though it is fully revealed only in the subsequent narrative. Sennacherib's question, intended to expose the futility of Judah's trust, ultimately highlights the *true* object of their trust—God—who miraculously delivers them, turning Sennacherib's boast into a testament to divine power. This entire interaction is a masterclass in **Psychological Warfare**, where words are wielded as weapons to break the enemy's spirit before a physical assault.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Sennacherib's taunt in 2 Chronicles 32:10 serves as a profound theological touchstone, exposing the perennial tension between human self-reliance and divine dependence. The Assyrian king, representing worldly power and arrogance, challenges the very concept of trusting in an unseen God when faced with overwhelming physical might. This scenario forces the people of God, and by extension, believers today, to examine the true object of their faith. Is our confidence placed in our own strength, resources, or strategic alliances, or in the sovereign power and faithfulness of the Almighty? The narrative of God's subsequent miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem underscores that true security is found not in human might, but in the Lord who fights for His people. This historical event provides a powerful testimony to God's ability to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable odds, reaffirming His covenant faithfulness.

* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord")
* [Psalm 33:16-19](/psalms/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-19 - God Delivers Those Who Trust Him")
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Trust in Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Sennacherib's taunt, "Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?", echoes through the ages, confronting believers with a timeless question about the foundation of their hope. In our own lives, we often find ourselves "in the siege"—surrounded by overwhelming challenges, whether they be financial crises, health battles, relational conflicts, or spiritual attacks. In such moments, the "voice of Sennacherib" (whether from external pressures, internal doubts, or the accuser himself) questions our resolve and the efficacy of our faith. This verse calls us to a deeper introspection: What is the true object of our trust when all human options seem exhausted? Is it our intellect, our resources, our connections, or is it the living God? The narrative of Hezekiah and Jerusalem reminds us that our ultimate security is not found in the absence of a siege, but in the unwavering presence and power of God within the siege. It challenges us to resist the psychological warfare of fear and despair, to stand firm on the promises of God, and to remember that the battle belongs to the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "sieges" you are currently facing in your life, and what voices are questioning the basis of your trust?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to place your trust in human strength or resources rather than in God during difficult times?**
* **How does the historical outcome of Jerusalem's siege encourage your faith when circumstances seem impossible?**
* **What practical steps can you take to actively place your trust in God when you feel surrounded and overwhelmed?**

### FAQ

**What was Sennacherib's ultimate goal with this taunt?**

Answer: Sennacherib's ultimate goal was to achieve victory over Jerusalem without a costly, direct military assault. His taunt was a calculated act of psychological warfare, designed to demoralize the inhabitants, undermine their faith in King Hezekiah and their God, and sow such fear and despair that they would surrender voluntarily. He aimed to break their will to resist, believing that if their trust was shattered, their defenses would soon crumble. This tactic was part of a broader Assyrian strategy to avoid prolonged sieges and minimize casualties, relying on their fearsome reputation and intimidating rhetoric to secure submission. The taunt was intended to highlight the perceived futility of their resistance against the overwhelming might of the Assyrian Empire.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Sennacherib's taunt, questioning the basis of Jerusalem's trust in the face of an overwhelming siege, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While Jerusalem trusted in the Lord for physical deliverance from an earthly king, the New Testament reveals Jesus as the supreme object of our trust, offering deliverance from a far greater "siege"—that of sin, death, and the power of the devil. The world, like Sennacherib, often questions the foundation of our faith, mocking reliance on an unseen God, especially in times of suffering or perceived weakness. Yet, Jesus is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the one in whom all promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Hezekiah pointed to God's strength against Assyria, but Christ is the very [power of God and the wisdom of God](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"), who, through His crucifixion and resurrection, decisively triumphed over all spiritual principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Our "abiding in the siege" of this fallen world is not based on futile hope, but on the secure foundation of Christ's finished work, His resurrection power, and the promise of His eternal kingdom, a [city whose builder and maker is God](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - The Heavenly City"). He is our ultimate refuge and strength, the one in whom we can truly and eternally trust, for He has [overcome the world](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World").

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

2 Kings 18:19

And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence [is] this wherein thou trustest?

Isaiah 36:4

And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence [is] this wherein thou trustest?