TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
KJV (with Strong's)
Complete Jewish Bible
Hizkiyahu had vast riches and great honor. He provided himself with storage places for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuable articles;
Berean Standard Bible
Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable articles.
American Standard Version
And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of goodly vessels;
World English Bible Messianic
Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all kinds of goodly vessels;
Geneva Bible (1599)
Hezekiah also had exceeding much riches and honour, and he gate him treasures of siluer, and of golde, and of precious stones, and of sweete odours, and of shieldes, and of all pleasant vessels:
Young's Literal Translation
And Hezekiah hath riches and honour very much, and treasures he hath made to himself of silver, and of gold, and of precious stone, and of spices, and of shields, and of all kinds of desirable vessels,
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In the KJVVerse 11,903 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 32 verses 24–33
24 ¶ In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.
30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Here we conclude the story of Hezekiah with an account of three things concerning him: -
I. His sickness and his recovery from it, Ch2 32:24. The account of his sickness is but briefly mentioned here; we had a large narrative of it, 2 Kings 20. His disease seemed likely to be mortal. In the extremity of it he prayed. God answered him, and gave him a sign that he should recover, the going back of the sun ten degrees.
II. His sin and his repentance for it, which were also more largely related, Kg2 20:12, etc. Yet several things are here observed concerning his sin which we had not there. 1. The occasion of it was the king of Babylon's sending an honourable embassy to him to congratulate him on his recovery. But here it is added that they came to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land (Ch2 32:31), either the destruction of the Assyrian army or the going back of the sun. The Assyrians were their enemies; they came to enquire concerning their fall, that they might triumph in it. The sun was their god; they came to enquire concerning the favour he had shown to Hezekiah, that they might honour him whom their god honoured, Ch2 32:31. These miracles were wrought to alarm and awaken a stupid careless world, and turn them from dumb and lame idols to the living God; and men were startled by them, but not converted till a greater wonder was done in that land, in the appearing of Jesus Christ, Mat 2:1, Mat 2:2. 2. God left him to himself in it, to try him, Ch2 32:31. God, by the power of his almighty grace, could have prevented the sin; but he permitted it for wise and holy ends, that, by this trial and his weakness in it, he might know, that is, it might be known (a usual Hebraism), what was in his heart, that he was not so perfect in grace as he thought he was, but had his follies and infirmities as other men. God left him to himself to be proud of his wealth, to keep him from being proud of his holiness. It is good for us to know ourselves, and our own weakness and sinfulness, that we may not be conceited or self-confident, but may always think meanly of ourselves and live in a dependence upon divine grace. We know not the corruption of our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leave us to ourselves. Lord, lead us not into temptation. 3. His sin was the his heart was lifted up, Ch2 32:25. He was proud of the honour God had put upon him in so many instances, the honour his neighbours did him in bringing him presents, and now that the king of Babylon should send an embassy to him to caress and court him: this exalted him above measure. When Hezekiah had destroyed other idolatries he began to idolize himself. O what need have great men, and good men, and useful men, to study their own infirmities and follies, and their obligations to free grace, that they may never think highly of themselves, and to beg earnestly of God that he will hide pride from them and always keep them humble! 4. The aggravation of his sin was the he made so bad a return to God for his favours to him, making even those favours the food and fuel of his pride (Ch2 32:25): He rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him. Note, It is justly expected that those who have received mercy from God should study to make some suitable returns for the mercies they have received; and, if they do not, their ingratitude will certainly be charged upon them. Though we cannot render an equivalent, or the payment of a debt, we must render the acknowledgment of a favour. What shall I render that may be so accepted? Psa 116:12. 5. The divine displeasure he was under for this sin; though it was but a heart-sin, and the overt-act seemed not only innocent but civil (the showing of his treasures to a friend), yet wrath came upon him and his kingdom for it, Ch2 32:25. Note, Pride is a sin that God hates as much as any, and particularly in his own people. Those that exalt themselves must expect to be abased, and put under humbling providences. Wrath came on David for his pride in numbering the people. 6. His repentance for this sin: He humbled himself for the pride of his heart. Note, (1.) Though God may, for wise and holy ends, suffer his people to fall into sin, yet he will not suffer them to lie still in it; they shall not be utterly cast down. (2.) Heart-sins are to be repented of, though they go no further. (3.) Self-humiliation is a necessary branch of repentance. (4.) Pride of heart, by which we have lifted up ourselves, is a sin for which we ought in a special manner to humble ourselves. (5.) People ought to mourn for the sins of their rulers. The inhabitants of Jerusalem humbled themselves with Hezekiah, because they either knew that they also had been guilty of the same sin, or at least feared that they might share in the punishment. When David, in his pride, numbered the people, they all smarted for his sin. 7. The reprieve granted thereupon. The wrath came not in his days. While he lived the country had peace and truth prevailed; so much does repentance avail to put by, or at least to put off, the tokens of God's anger.
III. Here is the honour done to Hezekiah, 1. By the providence of God while he lived. He had exceeding much riches and honour (Ch2 32:27), replenished his stores, victualled his campus, fortified his city, and did all he wished to do; for God had given him very much substance, Ch2 32:29. Among his great performances, his turning the water-course of Gihon is mentioned (Ch2 32:30), which was done upon occasion of Sennacherib's invasion, Ch2 32:3, Ch2 32:4. The water had come into that which is called the old pool (Isa 22:11) and the upper pool (Isa 7:3); but he gathered the waters into a new place, for the greater convenience of the city, called the lower pool, Isa 22:9. And, in general, he prospered in all his works, for they were good works. 2. By the respect paid to his memory when he was dead. (1.) The prophet Isaiah wrote his life and reign (Ch2 32:32), his acts and his goodness or piety, or which it is part of the honour to be recorded and remembered, for examples to others. (2.) The people did him honour at his death (Ch2 32:33), buried him in the chief of the sepulchres, made as great a burning for him as for Asa, or, which is a much greater honour, made great lamentation for him, as for Josiah. See how the honour of serious godliness is manifested in the consciences of men. Though it is to be feared that the generality of the people did not heartily comply with the reforming kings, yet they could not but praise their endeavours for reformation, and the memory of those kings was blessed among them. It is a debt we owe to those who have been eminently useful in their day to do them honour at their death, when they are out of the reach of flattery and we have seen the end of their conversation. The due payment of this debt will be an encouragement to others to do likewise.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 24–33. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 32:27 vividly portrays the extraordinary prosperity and esteemed reputation of King Hezekiah of Judah, detailing the comprehensive measures he undertook to organize and secure his immense wealth. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the divine favor bestowed upon a faithful monarch, highlighting not only the sheer abundance of his material blessings but also his diligent and systematic administration of these gifts, reflecting both God's provision and Hezekiah's responsible stewardship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices to convey Hezekiah's immense prosperity and the divine source of his blessings. Hyperbole is evident in the phrase "exceeding much riches and honour," which uses an emphatic doubling of the Hebrew adverb to underscore the extraordinary and abundant nature of his wealth, suggesting a scale beyond typical royal possessions. This exaggeration serves to highlight God's lavish provision and the miraculous nature of His blessing. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Enumeration or Cataloging by providing a detailed list of the items stored in Hezekiah's treasuries: "silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels." This exhaustive list not only provides concrete examples of his wealth but also creates a sense of overwhelming abundance and variety, allowing the reader to visualize the vastness of his treasury. Finally, there is an underlying Symbolism present, where the material riches and honor bestowed upon Hezekiah symbolize divine favor and the tangible rewards of covenant faithfulness. His prosperity is not merely a secular achievement but a visible sign of God's blessing upon a righteous king and his kingdom.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The extraordinary wealth and honor bestowed upon Hezekiah, as described in 2 Chronicles 32:27, serve as a profound theological statement about God's character and His interaction with humanity. It reinforces the Deuteronomic principle that obedience and faithfulness to God lead to blessing and prosperity, while disobedience brings consequences. Hezekiah's diligent reforms, his trust in God during the Assyrian crisis, and his subsequent prosperity illustrate that God is not only a deliverer but also a generous provider who honors those who honor Him. This verse connects Hezekiah's personal wealth to the broader well-being of the nation, implying that a righteous king's blessings often extend to his people. It also underscores the importance of stewardship, as Hezekiah meticulously organized what God had given him, setting an example for managing resources with wisdom and intentionality.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's story in 2 Chronicles 32:27 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that God is the ultimate source of all blessings, whether material or spiritual. Hezekiah's riches were not merely a result of his own ingenuity but a direct consequence of divine favor following his profound faith and obedience during a national crisis. This encourages us to cultivate a posture of trust and faithfulness in our own lives, recognizing that God often blesses us in ways that exceed our expectations when we prioritize His kingdom. Secondly, the verse highlights the importance of diligent stewardship. Hezekiah didn't just accumulate wealth; he actively "made himself treasuries" and organized his resources. This calls us to be responsible managers of whatever God has entrusted to us—our finances, time, talents, relationships, and spiritual gifts. True prosperity, in a biblical sense, is not just about accumulation but about wise administration and using resources for God's glory and the good of others. Finally, Hezekiah's prosperity, while immense, was ultimately earthly and temporary. It prompts us to consider where our true treasures lie and to seek spiritual riches that endure beyond this life.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was Hezekiah's immense wealth a sign of God's unconditional approval of him?
Answer: While Hezekiah's "exceeding much riches and honour" were indeed a direct result of God's favor and blessing, particularly after his unwavering faith during the Assyrian invasion (as seen in 2 Chronicles 32:21-23), it's important to understand that biblical blessings are often conditional on obedience and faithfulness, not unconditional. The Chronicler frequently emphasizes the principle that God blesses those who walk in His ways. However, the text also notes Hezekiah's later pride and failure in showing the Babylonian envoys his treasures (2 Chronicles 32:25-26), indicating that even a blessed king could stumble. So, while the wealth was a sign of God's approval for his earlier faithfulness, it didn't mean Hezekiah was flawless or that the blessing was without responsibility.
What is the significance of "shields" being listed among the treasures in Hezekiah's treasuries?
Answer: The inclusion of "shields" (Hebrew: mâgên H4043) in a list of precious items like silver, gold, and jewels suggests they were not ordinary military equipment. In ancient Near Eastern royal contexts, "shields" could refer to ceremonial or ornamental shields, often made of or plated with precious metals, particularly gold. For example, King Solomon had "three hundred shields of beaten gold" (1 Kings 10:17) that were displayed in his palace. These would have been symbols of immense wealth, royal power, and military prestige, rather than items for active combat. Their presence in Hezekiah's treasury underscores the opulence of his possessions and the grandeur of his kingdom, reflecting both his material prosperity and his standing as a powerful monarch.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's earthly riches and honor, though extraordinary, ultimately point to the far greater and eternal spiritual riches and glory found in Jesus Christ. While Hezekiah received material wealth as a reward for his faithfulness and as a sign of God's blessing upon his kingdom, Christ embodies the ultimate "exceeding much riches and honour" not in earthly possessions, but in divine glory and spiritual abundance. As the true King, Jesus possesses "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3) and, through His atoning work, bestows upon believers "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3). Hezekiah's deliverance of Jerusalem from Sennacherib foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over sin, death, and the forces of darkness, securing an eternal kingdom for His people. The honor given to Hezekiah pales in comparison to the supreme honor and exaltation of Christ, to whom "every knee should bow" (Philippians 2:9-11). Thus, Hezekiah's story serves as a temporal, material shadow of the boundless, everlasting spiritual wealth and glory that believers inherit through their union with Christ, urging us to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-21), where true and imperishable riches reside.