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Translation
King James Version
Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Storehouses H4543 also for the increase H8393 of corn H1715, and wine H8492, and oil H3323; and stalls H723 for all manner of beasts H929, and cotes H220 for flocks H5739.
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Complete Jewish Bible
also storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine and olive oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock and pens for the flocks.
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Berean Standard Bible
He also made storehouses for the harvest of grain and new wine and oil, stalls for all kinds of livestock, and pens for the flocks.
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American Standard Version
store-houses also for the increase of grain and new wine and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and flocks in folds.
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World English Bible Messianic
storehouses also for the increase of grain and new wine and oil; and stalls for all kinds of animals, and flocks in folds.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And of store houses for the increase of wheat and wine and oyle, and stalles for all beasts, and rowes for the stables.
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Young's Literal Translation
and storehouses for the increase of corn, and new wine, and oil, and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and herds for stalls;
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Hezekiah and Sennacherib
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In the KJVVerse 11,904 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Second Chronicles 32:28 offers a vivid depiction of King Hezekiah's immense wealth and his meticulous administrative foresight, illustrating the tangible blessings bestowed upon Judah during his reign. Following a period of miraculous divine deliverance from the Assyrian threat and a declaration of Hezekiah's great honor, this verse meticulously itemizes the extensive infrastructure he established. These "storehouses," "stalls," and "cotes" were designed to manage and preserve the kingdom's abundant agricultural output and thriving livestock, serving as a testament to God's favor and Hezekiah's diligent stewardship, which together ensured the stability and prosperity of Judah.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within a concluding summary of King Hezekiah's reign, specifically detailing the "riches and honor" that God bestowed upon him (2 Chronicles 32:27). It immediately follows the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib, a pivotal event that solidified Hezekiah's reputation and demonstrated God's faithfulness to His covenant people (see 2 Chronicles 32:1-23). The description of Judah's prosperity in verses 27-29 serves as a direct consequence of God's intervention and Hezekiah's faithfulness, particularly his religious reforms and trust in the Lord. This section, therefore, highlights the material blessings that accompanied divine favor, contrasting with the earlier narrative of threat and siege. The subsequent verses then briefly touch upon Hezekiah's pride and humility (2 Chronicles 32:24-26) before concluding his reign.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, a king's wealth and the prosperity of his kingdom were often seen as direct indicators of divine favor and his ability to govern effectively. Judah, though small, was strategically located between major empires, making self-sufficiency and robust defenses crucial. The "corn, wine, and oil" mentioned were the staple agricultural products of the region, representing the core of the ancient economy. "Beasts" and "flocks" signify livestock, essential for food, labor, and trade. The establishment of "storehouses," "stalls," and "cotes" reflects advanced agricultural management and infrastructure, necessary for sustaining a large population, supporting the military, and preparing for times of drought or siege. Hezekiah's reign, particularly after the Assyrian withdrawal, marked a period of rebuilding and consolidation, where such organized wealth would have been vital for national recovery and security.
  • Key Themes: The verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in 2 Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores Divine Blessing and Prosperity, demonstrating God's tangible favor upon a faithful king and his obedient people. This echoes the covenant promises of blessing for obedience found in the Mosaic Law, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:8. Secondly, it highlights Wise Stewardship and Preparation. Hezekiah was not merely a recipient of blessing but a diligent administrator who organized and managed the kingdom's resources with foresight. The detailed inventory of storage facilities and animal enclosures points to careful planning, ensuring the kingdom's resilience and self-sufficiency, a principle often extolled in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs 6:6-8). Lastly, the verse speaks to National Strength and Security. Ample provisions of food and resources were foundational for the stability and defense of any ancient kingdom, allowing Judah to sustain its populace and military, thereby contributing significantly to its post-Assyrian recovery and overall well-being.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Storehouses (Hebrew, miçkᵉnâh', H4543): This term refers to a magazine or treasury, implying substantial structures built for the purpose of storing agricultural produce, particularly grain, wine, and oil. Their existence signifies not just simple storage but organized infrastructure for managing a surplus, indicating a thriving economy and a king's foresight in ensuring the kingdom's long-term sustenance and wealth.
  • Increase (Hebrew, tᵉbûwʼâh', H8393): This word denotes the produce or yield of the land, specifically the agricultural harvest. The phrase "increase of corn, and wine, and oil" emphasizes that these were not merely subsistence crops but a surplus, indicating abundant harvests and a flourishing agricultural economy that generated significant wealth beyond immediate consumption.
  • Cotes (Hebrew, ʼăvêrâh', H220): This term refers to a stall or enclosure, typically for smaller livestock like sheep or goats. Unlike "stalls" which might imply more structured housing for larger animals, "cotes" suggest simpler, perhaps outdoor, but still organized and managed shelters for flocks. Their mention highlights the comprehensive nature of Hezekiah's administration, extending to all aspects of the kingdom's agricultural and pastoral wealth.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil;": This clause describes the infrastructure for managing the kingdom's agricultural wealth. "Storehouses" were essential for preserving surplus grain ("corn"), wine, and oil—the primary staples and sources of wealth in ancient Israel. The "increase" signifies a bountiful harvest, indicating divine blessing and productive land, which Hezekiah wisely managed to ensure long-term provision and economic stability for Judah.
  • "and stalls for all manner of beasts,": This part of the verse details the facilities for larger livestock. "Stalls" implies more substantial structures for housing animals such as cattle, horses, or donkeys, which were crucial for labor, transportation, and meat. The phrase "all manner of beasts" emphasizes the diversity and extent of Hezekiah's animal husbandry, reflecting a comprehensive approach to managing the kingdom's animal resources.
  • "and cotes for flocks.": This final clause refers to enclosures for smaller, communal animals like sheep and goats. "Cotes" were typically pens or folds. The inclusion of these facilities underscores the completeness of Hezekiah's administrative oversight, ensuring that even the most common and numerous livestock were properly housed and managed, contributing to the overall prosperity and resilience of the kingdom.

Literary Devices

The verse primarily employs Enumeration and Accumulation to convey the vastness and comprehensiveness of Hezekiah's wealth and administrative efforts. By listing specific categories of assets—"corn, and wine, and oil," followed by "beasts, and cotes for flocks"—the text builds a detailed picture of abundance, emphasizing the totality of the kingdom's prosperity. This detailed listing also serves as a form of Merism, where the specific categories (agricultural produce and various types of livestock) represent the entirety of the kingdom's material wealth. Furthermore, the description of these organized provisions functions as Symbolism, where the physical abundance and meticulous organization symbolize God's blessing upon Hezekiah's reign and the resulting strength and stability of Judah.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse profoundly illustrates the Old Testament principle that material prosperity and national security often served as tangible signs of God's covenant faithfulness and blessing upon an obedient king and people. Hezekiah's vast wealth was not merely a result of human ingenuity but was explicitly stated to be "very much riches and honor" given to him by God (2 Chronicles 32:27). This divine provision, coupled with Hezekiah's diligent stewardship, created a flourishing kingdom capable of sustaining itself and withstanding external threats. It highlights the theological truth that God often blesses His people not just spiritually but also materially, enabling them to fulfill their societal and redemptive purposes. This abundance was a visible demonstration of God's care and a reward for Hezekiah's commitment to reforming Judah's worship and trusting in the Lord during times of crisis.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The detailed account of Hezekiah's storehouses and provisions in 2 Chronicles 32:28 offers a powerful lesson in responsible stewardship and the nature of divine blessing. It reminds us that while all resources ultimately originate from God, human diligence and wise management are crucial responses to His generosity. Hezekiah's foresight in organizing and preserving the kingdom's wealth ensured its stability and resilience, providing for the needs of his people and preparing for future challenges. This example encourages believers today to cultivate a similar spirit of thoughtful planning and responsible stewardship in all areas of life—our finances, time, talents, relationships, and the natural world. It challenges us to consider how we can not only receive God's blessings but also multiply and manage them for the good of others and the glory of His kingdom, recognizing that true prosperity encompasses not just material abundance but also spiritual richness and preparedness.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does Hezekiah's example of diligent stewardship challenge my own approach to managing the resources God has entrusted to me, whether material or otherwise?
  • In what ways do I see God's provision in my life, and how can I better prepare for future needs while maintaining a posture of trust in His faithfulness?
  • Beyond material wealth, what forms of "increase" or blessing does God provide (e.g., wisdom, peace, relationships), and how can I steward them for His glory and the good of others?

FAQ

What was "corn" in ancient Israel, as mentioned in this verse?

Answer: In the King James Version (KJV) and other older translations, "corn" is a general term referring to grain, such as wheat or barley. It does not refer to maize (corn as we know it today), which was unknown in the ancient Near East and only introduced to the Old World after the discovery of the Americas. Wheat and barley were the staple food sources in ancient Israel, essential for bread and other basic sustenance. The mention of "corn, and wine, and oil" in 2 Chronicles 32:28 represents the primary agricultural produce and the core of the ancient Israelite economy.

How did King Hezekiah acquire such extensive wealth and resources?

Answer: King Hezekiah's immense wealth was a multifaceted blessing. Firstly, it was a direct result of God's favor and blessing upon his faithful reign, as explicitly stated in 2 Chronicles 32:27. This divine blessing manifested in abundant harvests and thriving livestock. Secondly, Hezekiah was a shrewd and diligent administrator. His construction of "storehouses," "stalls," and "cotes" demonstrates careful planning and organization, maximizing the kingdom's agricultural output and ensuring its efficient management. Additionally, after the miraculous deliverance from the Assyrian invasion, surrounding nations brought gifts and tribute to Hezekiah, acknowledging his greatness and the God of Israel (see 2 Chronicles 32:23). This combination of divine blessing, wise stewardship, and international recognition contributed to Judah's remarkable prosperity under his rule.

Does this verse suggest that material wealth is always a sign of God's favor?

Answer: While 2 Chronicles 32:28 clearly links Hezekiah's prosperity to God's blessing, it's crucial to interpret this within the broader biblical context. In the Old Covenant, particularly under the Mosaic Law, material blessings were often promised as direct consequences of national obedience to God's commands (e.g., Deuteronomy 28:1-14). However, the Bible also presents instances where righteous individuals experienced hardship, and the wicked prospered (e.g., Psalm 73). Therefore, while God can and does bless materially, especially to enable His people for service, material wealth is not an exclusive or universal indicator of spiritual favor, nor is its absence a sign of disfavor. The New Testament emphasizes spiritual riches in Christ as the ultimate blessing (e.g., Ephesians 1:3).

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The earthly abundance and meticulous stewardship described in 2 Chronicles 32:28, though impressive, ultimately point beyond themselves to the infinitely greater and eternal provisions found in Jesus Christ. Hezekiah's diligent administration of physical resources foreshadows Christ's perfect and eternal reign over His spiritual kingdom, where He is the ultimate provider and sustainer. Just as Hezekiah gathered "corn, and wine, and oil" into storehouses to sustain his people, Christ offers Himself as the true "Bread of Life" who satisfies all spiritual hunger (as proclaimed in John 6:35) and the "living water" that quenches eternal thirst (revealed in John 4:14). The security and prosperity of Judah under Hezekiah, sustained by physical provisions, pale in comparison to the eternal security and spiritual riches believers possess in Christ, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Hezekiah's earthly storehouses served temporary needs; Christ, however, encourages His followers to lay up "treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19-21), signifying that true and lasting fulfillment is found not in perishable earthly goods but in the inexhaustible spiritual blessings and eternal life secured by Him.

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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 32 verses 24–33

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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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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