2 Chronicles 32:30

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

This same Hezekiah {H3169} also stopped {H5640} the upper {H5945} watercourse {H4161}{H4325} of Gihon {H1521}, and brought it straight {H3474} down {H4295} to the west side {H4628} of the city {H5892} of David {H1732}. And Hezekiah {H3169} prospered {H6743} in all his works {H4639}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It was this same Hizkiyahu who blocked the upper outlet of the Gichon Spring and diverted the water straight down on the west side of the City of David. Hizkiyahu succeeded in all that he did.

Berean Standard Bible

It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Spring of Gihon and channeled it down to the west side of the City of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did.

American Standard Version

This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 32:30 serves as a powerful summary of King Hezekiah's reign, highlighting his remarkable strategic foresight and the divine favor that accompanied his efforts. The verse specifically commends his engineering marvel of diverting the Gihon Spring's water supply into Jerusalem, a critical defensive measure during the Assyrian siege. This monumental achievement, coupled with his diligent and faithful leadership, culminated in the declaration that Hezekiah "prospered in all his works," underscoring the principle of God's blessing on obedient and wise human endeavor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the detailed account of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah and Jerusalem's miraculous deliverance in [2 Chronicles 32](/2_chronicles/32 "2 Chronicles 32 - Sennacherib's Invasion and Hezekiah's Faith"). Chapters 29-31 describe Hezekiah's extensive religious reforms, his re-establishment of temple worship, and the people's renewed commitment to the Lord. Chapter 32 then shifts to the external threat posed by the Assyrian Empire. The narrative emphasizes Hezekiah's dual approach: fervent prayer and trust in God ([2 Chronicles 32:20-21](/2_chronicles/32-20 "2 Chronicles 32:20-21 - Hezekiah and Isaiah Pray")) alongside pragmatic, strategic preparations. Verse 30, therefore, acts as a concluding statement, summarizing Hezekiah's practical wisdom and the divine blessing that validated his reign, echoing similar summaries of his faithfulness found earlier, such as in [2 Chronicles 31:20-21](/2_chronicles/31-20 "2 Chronicles 31:20-21 - Hezekiah's Righteous Actions").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BCE was a period of intense geopolitical upheaval, dominated by the expansionist Assyrian Empire. King Sennacherib's campaign against Judah in 701 BCE, detailed in [2 Kings 18-19](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18-19 - Sennacherib's Invasion") and [Isaiah 36-37](/isaiah/36 "Isaiah 36-37 - Sennacherib's Threat and God's Deliverance"), posed an existential threat to Jerusalem. Water supply was paramount for survival during ancient sieges; the Gihon Spring, Jerusalem's primary natural water source, lay outside the city walls and was thus vulnerable to an attacking army. Hezekiah's engineering project, known today as "Hezekiah's Tunnel" or the Siloam Tunnel, was a monumental undertaking. It involved carving a winding, subterranean conduit approximately 1,750 feet (533 meters) through solid rock to bring the Gihon's waters safely inside the city walls to the Pool of Siloam. This feat not only secured the city's water but also deprived the besiegers of a crucial resource, demonstrating remarkable foresight and ingenuity in a time of crisis.

* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the Chronicler's theology. Firstly, it highlights **prudent leadership and resourcefulness**, showing Hezekiah's practical wisdom in preparing for the Assyrian threat. His actions were not passive reliance on God but active, strategic measures. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine blessing and prosperity** as a direct result of faithfulness. The Chronicler consistently links the prosperity of kings to their obedience and diligent service to God, as seen in [2 Chronicles 31:21](/2_chronicles/31-21 "2 Chronicles 31:21 - Hezekiah's Diligence and Success"). The concluding phrase, "Hezekiah prospered in all his works," is not merely a statement of material success but an affirmation of God's favor on his righteous endeavors. Thirdly, it illustrates the synergy between **human effort and divine providence**. Hezekiah diligently prepared and encouraged his people to trust in the Lord ([2 Chronicles 32:7-8](/2_chronicles/32-7 "2 Chronicles 32:7-8 - Hezekiah's Encouragement and Trust")). His prosperity was thus a testament to both his wise actions and God's enabling blessing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stopped (Hebrew, _'ātsar'_):** This verb means "to hold back, restrain, shut up, close." In this context, it refers to Hezekiah's strategic action of diverting or sealing off the external flow of the Gihon Spring. The intent was twofold: to prevent the Assyrians from accessing the water and to ensure that the water was channeled exclusively into the city for Jerusalem's inhabitants. This was a critical military tactic in ancient siege warfare.
* **Prospered (Hebrew, צָלַח, _tsalach'_):** This significant verb means "to advance, to be successful, to make progress, to prosper." In the Old Testament, _tsalach_ often implies success that is divinely enabled or blessed. It's not merely human achievement but a positive outcome that God facilitates or grants. When applied to a king like Hezekiah, it signifies God's approval and favor on his reign and his undertakings, indicating that his efforts were fruitful because the Lord was with him. This word emphasizes the theological connection between Hezekiah's actions and God's blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon,"**: This clause identifies King Hezekiah as the agent of this significant engineering project. The "upper watercourse of Gihon" refers to the natural outflow of the Gihon Spring, located in the Kidron Valley on the eastern side of Jerusalem. By "stopping" it, Hezekiah effectively sealed off its visible, external flow, preventing the Assyrians from using it as a water source during their siege. This action was a crucial defensive measure, demonstrating his strategic acumen.
* **"and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David."**: This describes the result of Hezekiah's engineering feat: the diversion of the Gihon's waters through a subterranean tunnel. The phrase "straight down" is somewhat ironic, as the tunnel is famously winding, but it conveys the directness of its purpose—to bring the water efficiently from its source outside the walls to a secure location inside. The "west side of the city of David" refers to the Pool of Siloam, which was located within the fortified city, providing a protected and accessible water supply for the inhabitants during the siege. This tunnel remains an archaeological marvel, a testament to ancient engineering capabilities.
* **"And Hezekiah prospered in all his works."**: This concluding statement encapsulates the divine assessment of Hezekiah's reign and actions. The prosperity mentioned here is not limited to the success of the water project but extends to "all his works," encompassing his religious reforms, his leadership during the Assyrian crisis, and his overall administration. This prosperity is attributed to God's favor, indicating that Hezekiah's diligent and faithful efforts were met with divine blessing and success, reinforcing the Chronicler's theological perspective that obedience and trust in God lead to flourishing.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the immediate succession of Hezekiah's human ingenuity ("stopped the upper watercourse... brought it straight down") and the divine affirmation of his success ("prospered in all his works"). This highlights the Chronicler's consistent theme that human effort, when undertaken in faithfulness, is met with God's blessing. The phrase "all his works" functions as a **Merism** or **Totality**, signifying the comprehensive nature of Hezekiah's success, extending beyond just this engineering feat to his entire reign. Finally, the verse serves as a **Narrative Summary**, providing a concise and powerful conclusion to the detailed account of Hezekiah's preparations and God's deliverance, reinforcing the overall message of God's faithfulness to His obedient servants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that divine sovereignty does not negate human responsibility; rather, God often blesses and prospers the diligent efforts of His faithful servants. Hezekiah's actions demonstrate a profound understanding that while God is ultimately the deliverer, human wisdom, foresight, and hard work are essential components of faithful living. His strategic engineering was an act of faith, trusting that God would honor his preparations. The "prosperity" he experienced was not merely material gain but the successful outcome of his righteous endeavors, a testament to God's active involvement in the affairs of those who honor Him. This passage encourages believers to combine fervent prayer and trust in God with practical wisdom and diligent effort in all areas of life, recognizing that true success comes from God's hand.

* [Psalm 127:1](/psalm/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House")
* [Proverbs 16:3](/proverbs/16-3 "Proverbs 16:3 - Commit Your Works to the Lord")
* [Deuteronomy 28:12](/deuteronomy/28-12 "Deuteronomy 28:12 - The Lord Will Open His Good Treasury")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's story in 2 Chronicles 32:30 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to consider how we balance faith and action in our own lives. While we are called to trust God implicitly for our deliverance and provision, this passage reminds us that such trust often manifests in diligent preparation, wise stewardship of resources, and proactive problem-solving. Hezekiah didn't merely pray; he also dug a tunnel. Our "works" — whether in our families, careers, ministries, or personal development — are opportunities to exercise both our God-given wisdom and our unwavering faith. When we commit our plans to the Lord and work diligently, we can anticipate His guidance and blessing, knowing that true prosperity is found in aligning our efforts with His will. This verse encourages us to be resourceful, responsible, and reliant on God, understanding that our ultimate success is rooted in His favor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you called to combine diligent preparation with unwavering trust in God?**
* **How does Hezekiah's example challenge the idea that faith means doing nothing and simply waiting for God to act?**
* **What does "prospering in all your works" mean for a believer today, beyond material success?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Hezekiah's Tunnel, and why is it mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: Hezekiah's Tunnel was a critical engineering marvel designed to secure Jerusalem's water supply during the Assyrian siege led by King Sennacherib in 701 BCE. The Gihon Spring, Jerusalem's primary water source, was located outside the city walls, making it vulnerable to the attacking army. Hezekiah ordered the construction of a subterranean tunnel to divert the spring's water directly into the city, specifically to the Pool of Siloam on the west side of the City of David. This strategic move served two vital purposes: it ensured a continuous water supply for Jerusalem's inhabitants during the siege and deprived the Assyrians of access to water, weakening their position. The mention of this tunnel in [2 Chronicles 32:30](/2_chronicles/32-30 "2 Chronicles 32:30 - Hezekiah's Water Project") highlights Hezekiah's remarkable foresight, practical wisdom, and the divine blessing that accompanied his efforts to protect his people, contributing to the city's miraculous survival against the Assyrian threat, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 32:21-22](/2_chronicles/32-21 "2 Chronicles 32:21-22 - God Delivers Jerusalem").

**How did Hezekiah's actions, particularly building the tunnel, demonstrate faith?**

Answer: Hezekiah's actions demonstrated faith by combining human ingenuity and diligent effort with unwavering trust in God. While the tunnel was a purely practical, defensive measure, it was undertaken within a broader context of Hezekiah's profound reliance on the Lord. Prior to the siege, Hezekiah had encouraged his people not to fear Sennacherib, declaring, "With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles" ([2 Chronicles 32:7-8](/2_chronicles/32-7 "2 Chronicles 32:7-8 - Hezekiah's Words of Encouragement")). His preparations, including the tunnel, were not a sign of lack of faith, but rather an expression of responsible stewardship and a belief that God works through human means. The Chronicler emphasizes that Hezekiah "prospered in all his works" because his actions were rooted in righteousness and a commitment to God ([2 Chronicles 31:20-21](/2_chronicles/31-20 "2 Chronicles 31:20-21 - Hezekiah's Good and Right Actions")), illustrating that true faith often involves active obedience and diligent preparation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's provision of physical water for Jerusalem, securing its life during a siege, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate provision of spiritual "living water" found in Jesus Christ. Just as Hezekiah's tunnel brought life-sustaining water into a besieged city, Christ is the source of eternal life, offering spiritual sustenance to a world under siege by sin and death. Jesus declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). Furthermore, Hezekiah's prosperity in "all his works" due to divine favor points to Christ, in whom all true spiritual prosperity and success are found. Through Christ, believers are enabled to perform good works that are truly "prospered" by God ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")), not by human merit but by divine grace. The security Hezekiah sought for Jerusalem through physical means finds its ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual security and eternal life offered through Christ, who leads His people to the "springs of living water" in the New Jerusalem ([Revelation 7:17](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - Lamb Will Guide Them to Springs of Living Water") and [Revelation 22:1-2](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1-2 - River of Life in New Jerusalem")).

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

1 Kings 1:33

The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

2 Chronicles 32:4

So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?

Joshua 1:7

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

1 Kings 1:38

So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.

Isaiah 22:9

Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.

Isaiah 22:11

Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.