2 Chronicles 32:14

Who [was there] among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?

Who was there among all the gods {H430} of those nations {H1471} that my fathers {H1} utterly destroyed {H2763}, that could {H3201} deliver {H5337} his people {H5971} out of mine hand {H3027}, that your God {H430} should be able {H3201} to deliver {H5337} you out of mine hand {H3027}?

Who of all the gods of those nations that my ancestors completely destroyed was able to rescue his people from me? How then will your God rescue you from me?

Who among all the gods of these nations that my fathers devoted to destruction has been able to deliver his people from my hand? How then can your God deliver you from my hand?

Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand?

Commentary

2 Chronicles 32:14 KJV presents a direct challenge from Sennacherib, the powerful king of Assyria, to King Hezekiah and the people of Judah during the Assyrian invasion of Judah around 701 BC. This verse captures the essence of Sennacherib's blasphemous taunt, equating the living God of Israel with the impotent deities of the nations his ancestors had conquered and utterly destroyed.

Context of 2 Chronicles 32:14

This verse is part of a larger narrative in 2 Chronicles 32 (and parallel accounts in 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37) detailing Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem. Having already overrun many fortified cities of Judah, Sennacherib sends his officials to intimidate Jerusalem's inhabitants, urging them to surrender and not to trust in Hezekiah or their God. His argument is simple: no god of any nation conquered by Assyria had been able to deliver their people, so why should Judah's God be any different? This cultural context highlights the Assyrians' military dominance and their belief in the supremacy of their own gods (or lack thereof) over those of defeated peoples.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Arrogance and Blasphemy: Sennacherib's words are a profound display of human pride and a direct affront to God's unique sovereignty. He fails to comprehend that the God of Israel is not merely a regional deity but the Creator and Sustainer of all, unlike the idols of wood and stone.
  • Futility of False Gods: The Assyrian king rightly points out that the gods of other nations were powerless to save their worshippers from his mighty hand. This serves as a stark reminder of the impotence of pagan deities and the danger of idolatry.
  • God's Unique Power to Deliver: The verse sets the stage for a dramatic demonstration of the Lord's unparalleled power. Sennacherib's challenge implicitly asks if Judah's God is truly different. The subsequent events in 2 Chronicles 32:21 provide the resounding answer, showcasing the Lord's ability to save His people against overwhelming odds.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the word "gods" (Hebrew: ืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื, elohim, used here in a general sense for pagan deities). The emphasis is on the contrast between these powerless, man-made conceptions of divinity and the one true God, Yahweh. Sennacherib's argument rests on a false premise: that all "gods" are essentially the same, mere national patrons whose power is limited by the strength of their worshippers' armies. He does not grasp the distinct nature of the God of Israel, who is not limited by human strength or circumstances.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 32:14 serves as a powerful reminder:

  • Trust in God, Not Worldly Powers: Just as Hezekiah and Judah faced an overwhelming worldly power, we too can face challenges that seem insurmountable. This verse encourages us to place our trust in God alone, not in human strength, political might, or material wealth (Psalm 20:7).
  • God is Sovereign Over All: No worldly power, ideology, or false god can stand against the Lord. His power and authority are supreme, and He is able to deliver His people from any threat.
  • Beware of Modern "Idols": While we may not worship physical statues, anything we trust in more than Godโ€”money, career, reputation, or even self-relianceโ€”can become an idol. This verse reminds us that such "gods" ultimately fail to deliver.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 10:11

    Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?

  • Isaiah 10:12

    Wherefore it shall come to pass, [that] when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

  • Exodus 14:3

    For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They [are] entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

  • Exodus 15:9

    The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

  • Exodus 15:11

    Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?

  • Isaiah 42:8

    I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
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