2 Chronicles 32:20

THE MESSAGE

King Hezekiah, joined by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, responded by praying, calling up to heaven. God answered by sending an angel who wiped out everyone in the Assyrian camp, both warriors and officers. Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace, tail between his legs. When he went into the temple of his god, his own sons killed him.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed about this and cried out to heaven,

Hebrew Names Version
Hizkiyahu the king, and Yesha`yahu the prophet the son of Amotz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.

King James Version
And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

English Standard Version
Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven.

New Century Version
King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed to heaven about this.

New English Translation
King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed about this and cried out to heaven.

Amplified Bible
But Hezekiah the king and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz prayed about this and cried out to heaven [for help].

New American Standard Bible
But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and called out to heaven for help.

World English Bible
Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.

Geneva Bible (1587)
But Hezekiah the King, and the Prophet Isaiah the sonne of Amoz prayed against this and cryed to heauen.

Legacy Standard Bible
But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and cried out to heaven.

Berean Standard Bible
In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,

Contemporary English Version
Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz asked the Lord for help,

Complete Jewish Bible
Because of this, Hizkiyahu the king and Yesha‘yahu the prophet, the son of Amotz, prayed and cried out to heaven.

Darby Translation
And because of this, king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz prayed and cried to heaven.

Easy-to-Read Version
Hezekiah the king and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed about this problem. They prayed very loudly to heaven.

George Lamsa Translation
Then Hezekiah and Isaiah the son of Amoz, the prophet, prayed because of this, and the LORD heard the voice of their prayer.

Good News Translation
Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed to God and cried out to him for help.

Lexham English Bible
Then King Hezekiah and Isaiah the son of Amoz, the prophet, prayed concerning this. And they cried to the heavens.

Literal Translation
And Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the son of Amoz, the prophet, prayed about this, and they cried to Heaven.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But contrary wyse the kynge Ezechias and the prophet Esay the sonne of Amos prayed, and cryed vnto heaue.

American Standard Version
And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.

Bible in Basic English
And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, made prayer because of this, crying out to heaven.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But Hezekia the king, and the prophet Esai the sonne of Amos prayed against that [blasphemie,] and cried vp to heauen.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.

King James Version (1611)
For this cause Hezekiah the king, and the Prophet Isaiah the sonne of Amoz, prayed and cryed to heauen.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And king Ezekias and Esaias the prophet the son of Amos prayed concerning these things, and they cried to heaven.

English Revised Version
And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor Ezechie, the kyng, and Ysaie, the profete, the sone of Amos, preieden ayens this blasfemye, and crieden til in to heuene.

Update Bible Version
And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.

Webster's Bible Translation
And for this [cause] Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

New King James Version
2 Kings 19:35-37">[xr] Now because of this King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven.

New Living Translation
Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven.

New Life Bible
But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the man of God, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and cried out to heaven.

New Revised Standard
Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed because of this and cried to heaven.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And Hezekiah the king and Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, prayed concerning this,-and made outcry unto the heavens,

Douay-Rheims Bible
And for this cause Ezechias the king, and the prophet Isaias the son of Amos, prayed and cried to heaven.

Revised Standard Version
Then Hezeki'ah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven.

Young's Literal Translation
And Hezekiah the king prayeth, and Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet, concerning this, and they cry to the heavens,

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and cried out to heaven.

Contextual Overview

⁹Later on, Sennacherib, who had set up camp a few miles away at Lachish, sent messengers to Jerusalem, addressing Judah through Hezekiah: "A proclamation of Sennacherib king of Assyria: You poor people—do you think you're safe in that so-called fortress of Jerusalem? You're sitting ducks. Do you think Hezekiah will save you? Don't be stupid—Hezekiah has fed you a pack of lies. When he says, ‘ God will save us from the power of the king of Assyria,' he's lying—you're all going to end up dead. Wasn't it Hezekiah who cleared out all the neighborhood worship shrines and told you, ‘There is only one legitimate place to worship'? Do you have any idea what I and my ancestors have done to all the countries around here? Has there been a single god anywhere strong enough to stand up against me? Can you name one god among all the nations that either I or my ancestors have ravaged that so much as lifted a finger against me? So what makes you think you'll make out any better with your god? Don't let Hezekiah fool you; don't let him get by with his barefaced lies; don't trust him. No god of any country or kingdom ever has been one bit of help against me or my ancestors—what kind of odds does that give your god?" ¹⁶ The messengers felt free to throw in their personal comments, putting down both God and God's servant Hezekiah. ¹⁷ Sennacherib continued to send letters insulting the God of Israel: "The gods of the nations were powerless to help their people; the god of Hezekiah is no better, probably worse." ¹⁸The messengers would come up to the wall of Jerusalem and shout up to the people standing on the wall, shouting their propaganda in Hebrew, trying to scare them into demoralized submission. They contemptuously lumped the God of Jerusalem in with the handmade gods of other peoples. ²⁰King Hezekiah, joined by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, responded by praying, calling up to heaven. God answered by sending an angel who wiped out everyone in the Assyrian camp, both warriors and officers. Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace, tail between his legs. When he went into the temple of his god, his own sons killed him. ²² God saved Hezekiah and the citizens of Jerusalem from Sennacherib king of Assyria and everyone else. And he continued to take good care of them. People streamed into Jerusalem bringing offerings for the worship of God and expensive presents to Hezekiah king of Judah. All the surrounding nations were impressed—Hezekiah's stock soared.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Hezekiah: 2 Kings 19:14-19, Isaiah 37:1, Isaiah 37:14-20

the prophet: 2 Kings 19:2-4, Isaiah 37:2-4

prayed: 2 Chronicles 14:11, 2 Chronicles 20:6-12, Psalms 50:15, Psalms 91:14, Psalms 91:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:9 - Jacob 1 Kings 8:44 - shall pray 1 Kings 18:37 - Hear me 2 Kings 19:4 - lift up 2 Kings 19:15 - prayed 2 Kings 19:20 - I have heard 1 Chronicles 5:20 - for they cried 2 Chronicles 6:34 - they pray Psalms 34:17 - cry Psalms 76:8 - didst Psalms 108:6 - and answer me Proverbs 11:11 - the blessing Proverbs 28:2 - but Isaiah 33:6 - fear Isaiah 37:4 - lift up Jeremiah 26:19 - did he Jeremiah 27:18 - let them John 9:31 - him John 12:38 - Esaias Philippians 4:6 - in Hebrews 11:34 - turned James 5:16 - The effectual

Cross-References

Genesis 32:9
And then Jacob prayed, "God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, God who told me, ‘Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.' I don't deserve all the love and loyalty you've shown me. When I left here and crossed the Jordan I only had the clothes on my back, and now look at me—two camps! Save me, please, from the violence of my brother, my angry brother! I'm afraid he'll come and attack us all, me, the mothers and the children. You yourself said, ‘I will treat you well; I'll make your descendants like the sands of the sea, far too many to count.'"

Genesis 32:17
Then he instructed the first one out: "When my brother Esau comes close and asks, ‘Who is your master? Where are you going? Who owns these?'—answer him like this, ‘Your servant Jacob. They are a gift to my master Esau. He's on his way.'"

Genesis 43:11
Their father Israel gave in. "If it has to be, it has to be. But do this: stuff your packs with the finest products from the land you can find and take them to the man as gifts—some balm and honey, some spices and perfumes, some pistachios and almonds. And take plenty of money—pay back double what was returned to your sacks; that might have been a mistake. Take your brother and get going. Go back to the man. And may The Strong God give you grace in that man's eyes so that he'll send back your other brother along with Benjamin. For me, nothing's left; I've lost everything."

1 Kings 20:31
At about this same time Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his troops. He recruited in addition thirty-two local sheiks, all outfitted with horses and chariots. He set out in force and surrounded Samaria, ready to make war. He sent an envoy into the city to set his terms before Ahab king of Israel: "Ben-Hadad lays claim to your silver and gold, and to the pick of your wives and sons." The king of Israel accepted the terms: "As you say, distinguished lord; I and everything I have is yours." But then the envoy returned a second time, saying, "On second thought, I want it all—your silver and gold and all your wives and sons. Hand them over—the whole works. I'll give you twenty-four hours; then my servants will arrive to search your palace and the houses of your officials and loot them; anything that strikes their fancy, they'll take." The king of Israel called a meeting of all his tribal elders. He said, "Look at this—outrageous! He's just looking for trouble. He means to clean me out, demanding all my women and children. And after I already agreed to pay him off handsomely!" The elders, backed by the people, said, "Don't cave in to him. Don't give an inch." So he sent an envoy to Ben-Hadad, "Tell my distinguished lord, ‘I agreed to the terms you delivered the first time, but this I can't do—this I won't do!'" The envoy went back and delivered the answer. Ben-Hadad shot back his response: "May the gods do their worst to me, and then worse again, if there'll be anything left of Samaria but rubble." The king of Israel countered, "Think about it—it's easier to start a fight than end one." It happened that when Ben-Hadad heard this retort he was into some heavy drinking, boozing it up with the sheiks in their field shelters. Drunkenly, he ordered his henchmen, "Go after them!" And they attacked the city. Just then a lone prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and said, " God 's word: Have you taken a good look at this mob? Well, look again—I'm turning it over to you this very day. And you'll know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I am God ." Ahab said, "Really? And who is going to make this happen?" God said, "The young commandos of the regional chiefs." "And who," said Ahab, "will strike the first blow?" God said, "You." Ahab looked over the commandos of the regional chiefs; he counted 232. Then he assessed the available troops—7,000. At noon they set out after Ben-Hadad who, with his allies, the thirty-two sheiks, was busy at serious drinking in the field shelters. The commandos of the regional chiefs made up the vanguard. A report was brought to Ben-Hadad: "Men are on their way from Samaria." He said, "If they've come in peace, take them alive as hostages; if they've come to fight, the same—take them alive as hostages." The commandos poured out of the city with the full army behind them. They hit hard in hand-to-hand combat. The Arameans scattered from the field, with Israel hard on their heels. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram got away on horseback, along with his cavalry. The king of Israel cut down both horses and chariots—an enormous defeat for Aram. Sometime later the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, "On the alert now—build up your army, assess your capabilities, and see what has to be done. Before the year is out, the king of Aram will be back in force." Meanwhile the advisors to the king of Aram said, "Their god is a god of the mountains—we don't stand a chance against them there. So let's engage them on the plain where we'll have the advantage. Here's the strategy: Remove each sheik from his place of leadership and replace him with a seasoned officer. Then recruit a fighting force equivalent in size to the army that deserted earlier—horse for horse, chariot for chariot. And we'll fight them on the plain—we're sure to prove stronger than they are." It sounded good to the king; he did what they advised. As the new year approached, Ben-Hadad rallied Aram and they went up to Aphek to make war on Israel. The Israelite army prepared to fight and took the field to meet Aram. They moved into battle formation before Aram in two camps, like two flocks of goats. The plain was seething with Arameans. Just then a holy man approached the king of Israel saying, "This is God 's word: Because Aram said, ‘ God is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys,' I'll hand over this huge mob of an army to you. Then you'll know that I am God ." The two armies were poised in a standoff for seven days. On the seventh day fighting broke out. The Israelites killed 100,000 of the Aramean infantry in one day. The rest of the army ran for their lives back to the city, Aphek, only to have the city wall fall on 27,000 of the survivors. Ben-Hadad escaped into the city and hid in a closet. Then his advisors told him, "Look, we've heard that the kings of Israel play by the rules; let's dress in old gunnysacks, carry a white flag of truce, and present ourselves to the king of Israel on the chance that he'll let you live."

Proverbs 15:18
Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.

Proverbs 16:14
An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives; you're smart to stay clear of someone like that.

Proverbs 21:14
A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person; a heartfelt present cools a hot temper.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. To God in heaven; of the prayer of Hezekiah on this account, see Isaiah 37:15, and the notes there; Isaiah 37:15- : Isaiah 37:15- : Isaiah 37:15- : Isaiah 37:15- : Isaiah 37:15- : Isaiah 37:15- :

and though we read not of the prayer of Isaiah, no doubt he made one, as Hezekiah desired, and since he received a message from the Lord, which he sent to Hezekiah, Isaiah 37:4.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The author of Chronicles compresses into 13 verses the history which occupies in Kings a chapter and a half (2 Kings 18:17-19; where see the notes).

2 Chronicles 32:10

In the siege - Perhaps “in straitness” (compare Jeremiah 19:9). Jerusalem is thought by some to have been not so much besieged at this time, as distressed and straitened for supplies, because the Assyrians were masters of the open country.

2 Chronicles 32:13

fathers - i. e. “predecessors.” Sennacherib really belonged to a dynasty that had only furnished one king before himself.

2 Chronicles 32:22

Guided them ... - A slight alteration of the existing text gives the sense - “gave them rest round about;” a common expression in Chronicles 2 Chronicles 15:15; 2 Chronicles 20:30.