He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the wide place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, “Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or dismayed because of the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude who is with him; for there is a greater one with us than with him. An arm of flesh is with him, but Yahweh our God is with us to help us and to fight our battles.” The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
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2 Chronicles 32:6-8 sits inside this longer paragraph.
He took courage, built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, with the other wall outside, and strengthened Millo in David’s city, and made weapons and shields in abundance. He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the wide place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, “Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or dismayed because of the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude who is with him; for there is a greater one with us than with him. An arm of flesh is with him, but Yahweh our God is with us to help us and to fight our battles.” The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Parallel Translations
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He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the wide place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or dismayed because of the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude who is with him; for there is a greater one with us than with him.
An arm of flesh is with him, but Yahweh our God is with us to help us and to fight our battles.” The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
-
And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Show all 3 translations
-
And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying:
'Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him; for there is a Greater with us than with him:
with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.' And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Cross-references (47)
- Jeremiah 17:5 (v8) Yahweh says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, relies on strength of flesh, and whose heart departs from Yahweh.
- 2 Chronicles 20:17 (v8) You will not need to fight this battle. Set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t…
- 2 Kings 6:16 (v7) He answered, “Don’t be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
- Acts 18:10 (v8) for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”
- 2 Timothy 4:17 (v8) But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear.…
Show all 45 cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 20:15 (vv7–8) and he said, “Listen, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, king Jehoshaphat. Yahweh says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, and…
- Isaiah 41:10 (v8) Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will…
- Romans 8:31 (v7) What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- 1 John 4:4 (vv7–8) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.
- Psalms 46:11 (v8) Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.
- Deuteronomy 20:1 (v8) When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you shall not be afraid of…
- 2 Chronicles 13:12 (v8) Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. Children of Israel, don’t…
- 2 Chronicles 14:11 (v8) Asa cried to Yahweh his God, and said, “Yahweh, there is no one besides you to help, between the mighty and him who has no strength. Help…
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (v8) for Yahweh your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
- Ephesians 6:10 (v7) Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
- 2 Kings 18:30 (v7) Don’t let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be given into the hand of the…
- 2 Chronicles 20:20 (v8) They rose early in the morning, and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me,…
- Job 40:9 (v8) Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him?
- Proverbs 12:25 (v8) Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
- Isaiah 8:10 (v8) Take counsel together, and it will be brought to nothing; speak the word, and it will not stand, for God is with us.”
- Joshua 10:42 (v8) Joshua took all these kings and their land at one time because Yahweh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 28:20 (v7) David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed; for Yahweh God, even my God, is with…
- 2 Chronicles 30:22 (v6) Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the feast for…
- Psalms 46:7 (v8) Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.
- Isaiah 35:4 (v7) Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will…
- Isaiah 36:18 (v8) Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, “Yahweh will deliver us.” Have any of the gods of the nations delivered their lands from the…
- Isaiah 40:2 (v6) “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received…
- Daniel 10:19 (v7) He said, “Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid. Peace be to you. Be strong. Yes, be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and…
- Zechariah 8:9 (v7) Yahweh of Armies says: “Let your hands be strong, you who hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets who were in the day…
- 2 Timothy 4:22 (v8) The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
- Genesis 34:3 (v6) His soul joined to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young lady, and spoke kindly to the young lady.
- Deuteronomy 31:6-7 (v7) Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor…
- Deuteronomy 31:23 (v7) He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which…
- Joshua 1:6-9 (v7) “Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong…
- 2 Kings 19:6-7 (v7) Isaiah said to them, “Tell your master this: ‘Yahweh says, “Don’t be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of…
- 2 Chronicles 17:14-19 (v6) This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: From Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him…
- 2 Chronicles 32:15 (v8) Now therefore don’t let Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you in this way. Don’t believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom was able…
- Ezra 10:9 (v6) Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the…
- Nehemiah 8:16 (v6) So the people went out, and brought them, and made themselves temporary shelters, everyone on the roof of his house, in their courts, in…
- Zechariah 8:23 (v7) Yahweh of Armies says: “In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of…
- 1 Chronicles 27:3-34 (v6) He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month. Over the division of the second month was…
- Nehemiah 8:1-3 (v6) All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the wide place that was in front of the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the…
- 1 Chronicles 22:13 (v7) Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and…
- 1 Chronicles 28:10 (v7) Take heed now; for Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.”
- 2 Timothy 2:1 (v7) You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
45 distinct cross-references across this passage (47 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (13 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv6, 8 Hebrew, he spake to their heart.
Hebrew, he spake to their heart.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv6–8 2Ch 32:6 And he set captains of war over…
2Ch 32:6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
Ver. 6. He set captains of war.] He did all that could be done: for he knew that the Assyrian came with a mighty force, as a river that "cometh up over all his channels, and goeth over all his banks." {Isa 8:7}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv6–8 Be strong and courageous,.... Be of good heart and…
Be strong and courageous,.... Be of good heart and spirit, and quit yourselves like men:
be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him; which was very large; for no less than 185,000 were slain of them by an angel in one night, Kg2 19:35.
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for there be more with us than with him; though not in number, yet in power and might; and if angels are meant, they are more in number; but it seems, by what follows, that Hezekiah had only the Lord his God in his thoughts and view.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv6–7 Verse 6. Set captains of war over the people…
Verse 6. Set captains of war over the people - in the street of the gate of the city] That is, the open places at the gate of the city, whither the people came for judgment, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv6–8 The street of the gate ... - Or, “the…
The street of the gate ... - Or, “the square at the gate” (compare 2Ch 29:4 note). The gate intended is probably that of Ephraim 2Ch 25:23 - the great northern gate, opposite the “Camp of the Assyrians “ - represented by the modern Damascus gate.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv6–7 Gate, where there was a room for assemblies, 2…
Gate, where there was a room for assemblies, 2 K. xviii. 24. C. --- Heart, in the most affectionate and pathetic manner. H.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v6 he . . . gathered them together . .…
he . . . gathered them together . . . in the street--that is, the large open space at the gate of Eastern cities. Having equipped his soldiers with a full suit of military accoutrements, he addressed them in an animated strain, dwelling on the motives they had to inspire courage and confidence of success, especially on their consciousness of the favor and helping power of God.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v6 6. The street of the gate of the city…
6. The street of the gate of the city — This is indefinite, but may most naturally be understood of a broad open space in front of the principal gate of the city, perhaps the northern gate, or “gate of Ephraim.” 2Ki_14:13; Neh_8:16.
Spake comfortably — Encouragingly. Compare chap. 2Ch_30:22, note. Hezekiah’s words of faith and encouragement, as here given, do not well accord with his submission and payment of treasure to the invader, as recorded in 2Ki_18:14-16. But the records are by no means contradictory. Together they furnish a lesson of human weakness. The people for awhile were encouraged by Hezekiah’s words, (2Ch_32:8,) but when Sennacherib had captured “all the fenced cities of Judah,” (2Ki_18:13,) they probably became disheartened, and Hezekiah himself trembled for the safety of his capital, and was glad to hire the invader to depart.
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2Ch_32:9-23 are a brief summary of the events of Sennacherib’s second invasion. This is much more fully detailed in 2Ki_18:17-19; 2Ki_18:37, where see notes. The rest of the chapter (2Ch_32:24-33) is also an abbreviation of what is more fully recorded in 2 Kings 20.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv6–8 6. in the street of the gate] R.V. in…
6. in the street of the gate] R.V. in the broad place at the gate; cp. 2Ch_29:4; Neh_8:16. There is nothing here to shew which of the two broad places mentioned in Nehemiah is meant, or whether some third place is intended.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv6–8 (6) Captains of war.—Literally, captains of battles: a phrase…
(6) Captains of war.—Literally, captains of battles: a phrase found here only.
In the street.—Into the open space. In like manner, “the open space that was before the water gate” is mentioned in Neh_8:1; Neh_8:16.
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The gate.—Which gate we are not told; but the
LXX. reads, τὴν πλατεῖαν τῆς πύλης τῆς φάραγγος, “the broad place of the gate of the ravine.”
Spake comfortably to them.—Encouraged them. 2Ch_30:22. (See margin.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv6–8 The street of the gate; translate, the wide area…
The street of the gate; translate, the wide area at the gate, etc.; what gate is not specified, but presumably either "the gate of Ephraim," which would be the one opposed to the camp of the besiegers, or possibly "the comer gate". (2Ch_25:23; and Courier"s "Handbook," pp. 343-345)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v7 With him is an arm of flesh; but with…
2Ch_32:7-8
With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God.
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Hezekiah and the Assyrians
The story of Hezekiah and his preservation is one of the most vivid and thrilling. Rightly interpreted, it echoes the words of our text to all time. The king of Assyria is a representative character. The powers of this world are joined against the children of God, and they are variously commanded. Some Sennacherib rises from hour to hour and threatens, often with formidable front and fell purpose. But Gods people may always say, There be more with us than with him, etc. (Monday Club Sermons.)
We look too much to men
Oliver Cromwell was but a gentleman farmer, but the exigency of his time was such that he took up arms on behalf of his country. He was a man of prayer, and went to the battlefield from the prayer meeting. After one great victory, he writes to Parliament, God brought them into our hands God is not enough owned. We look too much to men and to visible helps. This hinders our success.
The arm of flesh
I. The character of our enemies described by an arm of flesh.
II. The source, of our support, and cause of victory. But with us is the Lord our God, to help us, and to fight our battles. This denotes--
1. Possession.
2. Presence.
3. Support.
4. Victory.
5. The Father is with us.
6. The Son is with us.
7. And the Holy Ghost is with us.
III. The result of Gods manifested presence. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah. (T. B. Baker.)
Conditions of victory
I. At the negative side.
1. Numbers are no surety. Gideons army had to be reduced before it could conquer the Amalekites.
2. Worldly wisdom, policy, shrewdness, enterprise, will not ensure success.
3. Unlimited creature resources of every kind are insufficient.
4. The most seemingly favourable outward circumstances, as to time, place, auspices, expectations, combinations, oftentimes but deceive into carnal security and insure the worst kind of defeat.
II. At the positive side--the assured, unfailing conditions of victory in the sense of Righteousness and Godliness.
1. We must have God on our side. There must be no doubt on this point.
2. We must be careful to be on Gods side.
3. This brings out the point which the Apostle John emphasises so strongly (1Jn_5:4-5). (J. M. Sherwood.)
And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah.--
Words to rest on
I. The kind of man whose words are likely to be rested on. He must be--
1. A great man.
2. A good man.
3. A courageous man.
4. A hearty man.
5. In such a case God will add His sanction by granting success and he will be a prosperous man.
6. A man who has respect for Gods word.
II. In the second place let us turn the other way and look at the kind of people who rest on such a mans word.
1. Children do so with their parents.
2. Illiterate people who cannot read.
3. Unconverted persons who have no spiritual discernment.
4. Persons who naturally run in a groove. Having attended at such a place of worship, and having been brought up in the midst of a certain set of godly people, they scarcely deviate one jot from the teaching that they have received. Almost by the necessity of their nature they rest on what they hear.
5. Persons who profess always to do their own thinking. If you will trace them home, they are in nine cases out of ten the veriest slaves that ever lived. They are the bondservants of some heretic or other who has put it into their heads that in following him they become free men.
III. The kind of words you may rest on. You may safely rest on--
1. Words which urge you to faith in God.
2. Words which are the words of God Himself.
3. Words which are sealed by the Lord Jesus.
4. Words which have been blessed to other men.
5. Words which breathe a sense of rest into the soul. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v6 He placed military commanders over the people
He placed military commanders over the people
The idiom "place over" means to put in charge of. "He put military commanders in charge of the people" (See: Idiom)
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for someone is with us who is greater than those with him
"for our God is with us and is more powerful than those with the king of Assyria"
is only an arm of flesh
Here "arm" represents strength, and "flesh" represents humanity. AT: "are only those with human power" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
commander
people group
fear
flesh
Yahweh
word
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.