Sennacherib comes. Hezekiah stops the waters, builds up the wall, and speaks to the captains the book’s bravest arithmetic: 'Be strong and of good courage... with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is Hashem our God to help us, and to fight our battles.' Rab-shakeh’s letters taunt the God of Jerusalem 'as of the gods of the peoples of the earth'; Hezekiah and Isaiah pray; 'And Hashem sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor' in the camp of Assyria. Afterward the heart lifted up, the wrath, and the humbling: 'Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart.'
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to make a breach in them for himself.
verse value 3702
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 75 letters. The shortest word is "he·came" (בָּ֖א, 2 letters) and the longest is "king·of·Assyria" (מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֑וּר, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·encamped" (וַיִּ֙חַן֙), "against·the·cities" (עַל־הֶעָרִ֣ים), "to·breach·them" (לְבִקְעָ֥ם). The root בוא appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "he·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "in·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root סנחריב ("Sennacherib") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'king·of·Assyria', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 8 words.
Rashi
After these deeds of integrity, etc. and planned to make a breach therein - Heb. לְבִקְעָם like לְבָקְעָם like (Amos 2: “For selling (מִכְרָם) [an innocent man] for money,” like (מָכְרָם) and adjacent to that, (ibid. 1:13): “Because they ripped up (בִּקְעָם) the pregnant women of Gilead,” and its meaning and examples of it are (Isa. 7:6): “and let us breach its walls (וְנַבְקְעֶנָה),” and (Gen. 22:3): “Then he split (וַיְבַקַּע) wood for the burnt-offering.”
Metzudat David
After these things, etc. – That is, after these good deeds that Hezekiah performed in truth for the sake of Hashem, nevertheless Sennacherib came against him; and this was because the people of Judah had done evil in their deeds. thought to make a breach in them – [Meaning] he intended to breach them, and so he indeed breached them; and a similar case is 'to kill him treacherously' (Exodus 21:14), meaning he intended to kill him, and so he killed him.
Metzudat Zion
encamped - An expression of camping and settling. to make a breach in them - That is, to break open and breach the walls.
Malbim
After these things - This comes to rule out the idea that Sennacherib came upon him on account of some sin for which Hashem wished to punish him. On the contrary, he came after these things and this faithfulness: all of Hezekiah's service was performed in truth and with a whole heart, without any pretense, and he did not turn aside from his good way - this too is included in the term "faithfulness," which denotes the steadfastness of a thing. Rather, it was by [divine] providence that a miracle should be performed through him and that Sennacherib should fall upon the mountains of Zion, as stated in Isaiah chapter 9 and elsewhere. Our sages said that God sought to make Hezekiah the Messiah and Sennacherib Gog and Magog; accordingly, Sennacherib's coming was meant to magnify the name of Israel and the name of their king, and it came about because of these things and this faithfulness. Sennacherib came - In II Kings 18 it is recorded that he came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them, and that Hezekiah sent him three hundred talents of silver, etc., and that afterward the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh. Ezra explains what was the cause of his sending the three hundred talents, and, once Sennacherib had received them from him, why he then sent Rabshakeh against him a second time. He explains that Hezekiah's submitting himself before him was because he saw that Sennacherib had already come with his face set for war against Jerusalem, and he [Hezekiah] had not prepared himself for so terrible a war; he wanted to gain time to prepare counsel and strength for the fighting, and so he appeased him with a gift, so that Sennacherib would go up away from him. Here it further relates that once Sennacherib had stopped fighting against him, Hezekiah prepared for war in all the ways mentioned here, and this became known to the king of Assyria, who realized that Hezekiah was preparing to rebel against him, and therefore he returned against him a second time. I have already explained this matter thoroughly in my commentary to Isaiah chapter 36.
And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,
verse value 1717
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 40 letters. The shortest word is "and·he·saw" (וַיַּרְא֙, 4 letters) and the longest is "against·Jerusalem" (עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "that·he·came" (כִּי־בָ֖א), "and·his·face" (וּפָנָ֕יו). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that·he·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "against·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles); "and·his·face" (root פנים, 116x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Sennacherib', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיַּרְא֙ [and·he·saw] (217) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + כִּי־בָ֖א [that·he·came] (33) + סַנְחֵרִ֑יב [Sennacherib] (330) + וּפָנָ֕יו [and·his·face] (152) + לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה [to·the·battle] (153) + עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם [against·Jerusalem] (686) = 1717.
Metzudat David
he was purposed – [Literally, he set his face] – he set his intent to turn and wage war against Jerusalem.
he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city; and they helped him.
verse value 3878
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 53 letters. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֖ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·they·helped·him" (וַֽיַּעְזְרֽוּהוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: waters·of, that. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·his·mighty·men" (וְגִבֹּרָ֔יו), "to·stop·up" (לִסְתּוֹם֙), "waters·of" (אֶת־מֵימֵ֣י). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "the·city" (root עיר, 89x in II Chronicles); "with·his·princes" (root שר, 48x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root סתם ("to·stop·up") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·city', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 1 words. Full calculation: וַיִּוָּעַ֗ץ [and·he·took·counsel] (182) + עִם־שָׂרָיו֙ [with·his·princes] (626) + וְגִבֹּרָ֔יו [and·his·mighty·men] (227) + לִסְתּוֹם֙ [to·stop·up] (536) + אֶת־מֵימֵ֣י [waters·of] (501) + הָעֲיָנ֔וֹת [the·fountains] (541) + אֲשֶׁ֖ר [that] (501) + מִח֣וּץ [outside] (144) + לָעִ֑יר [the·city] (310) + וַֽיַּעְזְרֽוּהוּ [and·they·helped·him] (310) = 3878.
Metzudat David
to stop the waters, etc. – So that he [Sennacherib] would not find water to drink, and would go away. and they helped him – [that is, they helped him] to stop them up.
Metzudat Zion
the fountains - [meaning] the springs, as in 'En-hakkore' [the spring of the caller] (Judges 15:19).
Malbim
He took counsel - After he had given a bribe to the king of Assyria so that he would relent from him, he took counsel with his princes to shake off his yoke, so that he would not need to be subject to him for tribute; and the counsel was to stop up the waters of the springs that were outside the wall, so that the enemy besieging the city would not find water to drink.
So there was gathered much people together, and they stopped all the fountains, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying: ‘Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?’
verse value 5167
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 79 letters. The shortest word is "why" (לָ֤מָּה, 3 letters) and the longest is "all·the·fountains" (אֶת־כׇּל־הַמַּעְיָנ֔וֹת, 11 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·stopped·up" (וַֽיִּסְתְּמוּ֙), "all·the·fountains" (אֶת־כׇּל־הַמַּעְיָנ֔וֹת), "and·the·brook" (וְאֶת־הַנַּ֛חַל). 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "kings·of" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "to·say" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "they·will·come" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·say', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 7 words.
Ralbag
'and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land' - This is the Gihon, as he will mention afterward.
Metzudat David
through the midst of the land – Outside Jerusalem.
Metzudat Zion
that flowed - This is the term for water rushing forcefully.
Malbim
And the brook - This is Gihon, as is explained in verse 30, and as our sages state.
And he took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.
verse value 5045
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 88 letters. The shortest word is "city·of" (עִ֣יר, 3 letters) and the longest is "all·the·wall" (אֶת־כׇּל־הַחוֹמָ֨ה, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 386: the·broken·down, and·he·made. 9 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "all·the·wall" (אֶת־כׇּל־הַחוֹמָ֨ה), "the·broken·down" (הַפְּרוּצָ֜ה), "to·the·towers" (עַל־הַמִּגְדָּל֗וֹת). The root חזק appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·made" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "city·of" (root עיר, 89x in II Chronicles); "and·he·went·up" (root עלה, 83x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'David', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 4 words.
Rashi
and he reinforced the millo An example is (I Kings 11:27): “built the millo.” and he made many swords - Heb. שֶׁלַח, weapons, similar to (above 23:10): “each one with his sword (שִׁלְחוֹ) in his hand”; (Neh. 4:17): “each man took his sword (שִׁלְחוֹ) to the water.”
Ralbag
'and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without' - Meaning that he raised the wall and made it higher than the towers built beside it, and built another wall outside it, to add further strength to Jerusalem. 'and strengthened Millo in the city of David' - It is known that there was a wall surrounding the City of David, and outside the wall there was a public square where people would gather, and this is why it was called Millo ('the filling'). Solomon had already built it, and now Hezekiah strengthened it, adding further strength to the City of David.
Metzudat David
and raised it up, etc. – That is, he made the wall higher than the towers. and another wall without – Outside that wall he built yet another wall, and he repaired the breaches of the Millo that was in the city of David.
Metzudat Zion
Millo - A place set aside for the gathering of the people, as in 'they have called after you in full force' (Jeremiah 12:6). weapons - A collection of swords, as in 'every man with his weapon in his hand' (above, 23:10).
Malbim
The wall that was broken down - This is in the north of Jerusalem, where Joash breached the wall from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate; there Hezekiah built a double wall with towers within it. This is the meaning of "raised it up to the towers, and another wall without" - this is what is called in Nehemiah 3 "the broad wall." Likewise he strengthened the Millo, whose meaning we already explained above at I Chronicles 11:8. He also made weapons and shields; I have explained elsewhere that the term rendered "weapons" (shelach) is distinct from "cherev" (sword) - it is the sharp weapon with a piercing point at its head, made in the form of both a sword and a spear together.
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:
verse value 3779
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 56 letters. The shortest word is "captains·of" (שָׂרֵ֥י, 3 letters) and the longest is "wars" (מִלְחָמ֖וֹת, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "over·the·people" (עַל־הָעָ֑ם), "and·he·gathered·them" (וַיִּקְבְּצֵ֣ם), "to·broad·place·of" (אֶל־רְחוֹב֙). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·say" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "over·the·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "and·he·set" (root נתן, 116x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'over·the·people', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 8 words. Full calculation: וַיִּתֵּ֛ן [and·he·set] (466) + שָׂרֵ֥י [captains·of] (510) + מִלְחָמ֖וֹת [wars] (524) + עַל־הָעָ֑ם [over·the·people] (215) + וַיִּקְבְּצֵ֣ם [and·he·gathered·them] (248) + אֵלָ֗יו [to·him] (47) + אֶל־רְחוֹב֙ [to·broad·place·of] (247) + שַׁ֣עַר [gate·of] (570) + הָעִ֔יר [the·city] (285) + וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר [and·he·spoke] (222) + עַל־לְבָבָ֖ם [to·their·heart] (174) + לֵאמֹֽר [to·say] (271) = 3779.
’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:
verse value 4083
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 65 letters. The shortest word is "Greater" (רַ֖ב, 2 letters) and the longest is "do·not·fear" (אַל־תִּֽירְא֣וּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 156: all·the·multitude, than·with·him. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·be·courageous" (וְאִמְצ֔וּ), "and·from·face·of" (וּמִלִּפְנֵ֖י), "all·the·multitude" (כׇּל־הֶהָמ֣וֹן). The root פנים appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king·of" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "that·with·him" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "than·with·him" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'that·with·him', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 3 words. Full calculation: חִזְק֣וּ [be·strong] (121) + וְאִמְצ֔וּ [and·be·courageous] (143) + אַל־תִּֽירְא֣וּ [do·not·fear] (648) + וְאַל־תֵּחַ֗תּוּ [and·do·not·be·dismayed] (851) + מִפְּנֵי֙ [from·face·of] (180) + מֶ֣לֶךְ [king·of] (90) + אַשּׁ֔וּר [Assyria] (507) + וּמִלִּפְנֵ֖י [and·from·face·of] (216) + כׇּל־הֶהָמ֣וֹן [all·the·multitude] (156) + אֲשֶׁר־עִמּ֑וֹ [that·with·him] (617) + כִּֽי־עִמָּ֥נוּ [for·with·us] (196) + רַ֖ב [Greater] (202) + מֵֽעִמּֽוֹ [than·with·him] (156) = 4083.
Metzudat Zion
dismayed - An expression of fear and breaking [of spirit]. multitude - [meaning] a large number of people. Greater - [meaning] great and strong.
Malbim
Be strong and of good courage - The precise meaning of these terms was explained at Joshua 1. With us - Meaning, the arm that is with us is greater than the arm that is with him, for Hashem our God is with us to help us - so that we ourselves fight - and also to fight our battles for us, to the point that we will not need to fight at all.
with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is Hashem our God to help us, and to fight our battles.’ And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
verse value 3096
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 74 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֤ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 3096 is divisible by 86, the value of Elohim. The shortest word is "with·him" (עִמּוֹ֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "king·of·Judah" (מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָֽה, 8 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "arm·of" (זְר֣וֹעַ), "flesh" (בָּשָׂ֔ר), "and·with·us" (וְעִמָּ֜נוּ). The root עם appears 3 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "king·of·Judah" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "our·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'our·battles', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 5 words. Full calculation: עִמּוֹ֙ [with·him] (116) + זְר֣וֹעַ [arm·of] (283) + בָּשָׂ֔ר [flesh] (502) + וְעִמָּ֜נוּ [and·with·us] (172) + יְהֹוָ֤ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ [our·God] (102) + לְעׇזְרֵ֔נוּ [to·help·us] (363) + וּלְהִלָּחֵ֖ם [and·to·fight] (119) + מִלְחֲמֹתֵ֑נוּ [our·battles] (574) + וַיִּסָּמְכ֣וּ [and·they·rested·themselves] (142) + הָעָ֔ם [the·people] (115) + עַל־דִּבְרֵ֖י [upon·words·of] (316) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָֽה [king·of·Judah] (120) = 3096.
Metzudat David
an arm of flesh – [That is,] the help of an arm of flesh.
After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem—now he was before Lachish, and all his power with him—to Hezekiah king of Judah, and to all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying:
verse value 5557
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 97 letters. Notable word values: "and·he" (וְהוּא֙) = 18, chai, 'life'. The shortest word is "this" (זֶ֗ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·to·all·Judah" (וְעַל־כׇּל־יְהוּדָ֛ה, 10 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "after" (אַ֣חַר), "to·Jerusalem" (יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יְמָה), "before·Lachish" (עַל־לָכִ֔ישׁ). The root ירושלם appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king·of" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "to·say" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·him', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 7 words.
Metzudat David
now he was before Lachish – At that time he was warring against Lachish, and all the men of his realm were with him. to Hezekiah – This refers back to the beginning of the verse, [continuing] to say that he sent [his servants] to Hezekiah.
Malbim
After this - Once Sennacherib learned that Hezekiah was making preparations to rebel, he sent Rabshakeh.
’Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria: On what do you trust, that you abide the siege in Jerusalem?
verse value 3142
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 48 letters. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֣ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·Jerusalem" (בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "upon·what" (עַל־מָה֙), "trusting" (בֹּטְחִ֔ים), "in·siege" (בְּמָצ֖וֹר). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king·of" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "he·says" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "in·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Assyria', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 6 words. Full calculation: כֹּ֣ה [thus] (25) + אָמַ֔ר [he·says] (241) + סַנְחֵרִ֖יב [Sennacherib] (330) + מֶ֣לֶךְ [king·of] (90) + אַשּׁ֑וּר [Assyria] (507) + עַל־מָה֙ [upon·what] (145) + אַתֶּ֣ם [you] (441) + בֹּטְחִ֔ים [trusting] (69) + וְיֹשְׁבִ֥ים [and·dwelling] (368) + בְּמָצ֖וֹר [in·siege] (338) + בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם [in·Jerusalem] (588) = 3142.
Rashi
In what do you trust It is written (I Kings 18:5): “He trusted in the Lord God of Israel,” and it is also written there: (verse 7) “and he rebelled against the king of Assyria.” Therefore, he asked, “In what do you trust” that you have rebelled against me? stay in the siege in Jerusalem as it is written (here): “to die by famine and thirst.”
Metzudat David
On what... etc. – As if to say: if you had any [real] trust by which to be saved from my hand, it would be worthwhile to endure the siege and hardship for some time, in order to attain a good end. But since you have no such trust, and you must inevitably be delivered into my hand, what point is there for you in enduring the siege? Come out to me at once, and serve me.
Metzudat Zion
the siege - An expression of distress and constraint.
Malbim
Thus says Sennacherib - These words are recorded at length in Kings and in Isaiah, and Ezra did not copy all of them, since the reader can find them in those books. There it is mentioned that he sent to him yet again when he went out to fight the king of Cush; Ezra summarized the substance of it all - that he blasphemed Hashem, [claiming] that He would not be able to save Israel, and that because of this he fell by the sword, as I explained in my commentary to Isaiah - and he included the rest of the matter in the words "and his servants spoke further against Hashem," etc.
Does not Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying: Hashem our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
verse value 4665
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 68 letters. Notable word values: "not" (הֲלֹ֤א) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "not" (הֲלֹ֤א, 3 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 461: you, you. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "inciting" (מַסִּ֣ית), "to·die" (לָמ֛וּת), "in·famine" (בְּרָעָ֥ב). 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "king·of" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "our·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·say', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 6 words.
Metzudat David
Does not Hezekiah – As if to say: Hezekiah's incitement will avail only to make you die by famine and thirst; and it is not for [your] good that he says, 'Hashem will save us' — for this is no genuine trust.
Has not the same Hezekiah taken away His high places and His altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying: You shall worship before one altar, and upon it shall you offer?
verse value 5625
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 85 letters. Notable word values: "one·(number)" (אֶחָ֛ד) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). Verse gematria: 5625 = 75². The shortest word is "one·(number)" (אֶחָ֛ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·His·altars" (וְאֶת־מִזְבְּחֹתָ֑יו, 10 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "not·he" (הֲלֹא־הוּא֙), "His·high·places" (אֶת־בָּמֹתָ֖יו), "you·will·bow·down" (תִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ). The root מזבח appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "to·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles); "and·to·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·His·altars', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 10 words.
Rashi
Did not he - Hezekiah - who trusts in his God, did he not transgress? Now even if He had the ability to help him, He would not help him, because he sinned against Him, for he removed His high places and His altars, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem: Before one altar you shall prostrate yourselves Now is it not preferable that the Judeans prostrate themselves before one altar and the Jerusalemites before one, or two and more? What does one altar avail such a large people? For they thought that all those high places that he had removed, as above (31:1): “and cut off the asherim, etc.” were built in the name of the God of Israel.
Metzudat David
Has not the same [Hezekiah] – For has he not himself removed the high places made for the [Divine] Place, and told you, 'Before one altar shall you worship,' etc.? He has thus diminished the worship of God — so how then will He help [you]?
Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any wise able to deliver their land out of my hand?
verse value 4604
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 72 letters. Notable word values: "not" (הֲלֹ֣א) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "what" (מֶ֤ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·my·fathers" (וַאֲבוֹתַ֔י, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 702: the·lands, the·lands. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "you·will·know" (תֵדְע֗וּ), "I·did" (עָשִׂ֙יתִי֙), "and·my·fathers" (וַאֲבוֹתַ֔י). The root ארץ appears 3 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·gods·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "I·did" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "peoples·of" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·lands', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 8 words.
Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand?
verse value 3647
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 78 letters. The shortest word is "who?" (מִ֠י, 2 letters) and the longest is "among·all·the·gods·of" (בְּֽכׇל־אֱלֹהֵ֞י, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, that. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "among·all·the·gods·of" (בְּֽכׇל־אֱלֹהֵ֞י), "they·banned" (הֶחֱרִ֣ימוּ). The root אלהים appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "among·all·the·gods·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "his·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·my·hand', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 6 words.
Rashi
whom my fathers destroyed Pul, the king of Assyria, and Tiglath-Pilneser.
Now therefore let not Hezekiah beguile you, nor persuade you after this manner, neither believe you him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers; how much less shall your God deliver you out of my hand?’
verse value 5588
Insights
Verse structure: 25 words, 117 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (לוֹ֒) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·him" (לוֹ֒, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·do·not·believe" (וְאַל־תַּאֲמִ֣ינוּ, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 461: you, you, you. 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "do·not·beguile" (אַל־יַשִּׁיא֩), "and·do·not·incite" (וְאַל־יַסִּ֨ית), "and·do·not·believe" (וְאַל־תַּאֲמִ֣ינוּ). The root יד appears 3 times in this verse. 19 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "your·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "his·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "for·not" (root כי, 131x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'my·fathers', dividing the verse into phrases of 19 and 6 words.
Metzudat David
after this manner – In this manner, regarding [such] trust. how much less – How much more so will your God not save you, since Hezekiah has removed his high places, as stated above; and so you have no trust at all.
Metzudat Zion
beguile - An expression of enticement, as in 'The serpent beguiled me' (Genesis 3:13).
And his servants spoke yet more against Hashem God, and against His servant Hezekiah.
verse value 941
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 39 letters. Notable word values: "and·yet" (וְעוֹד֙) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "and·against" (וְעַ֖ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ, 7 letters). The root עבד appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "above·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "and·against" (root על, 111x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'God', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְעוֹד֙ [and·yet] (86) + דִּבְּר֣וּ [they·spoke] (212) + עֲבָדָ֔יו [his·servants] (92) + עַל־יְהֹוָ֖ה [above·Hashem] (126) + הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים [God] (91) + וְעַ֖ל [and·against] (106) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + עַבְדּֽוֹ [His·servant] (82) = 941.
He wrote also a letter, to taunt Hashem, the God of Israel, and to speak against Him, saying: ‘As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver His people out of my hand.’
verse value 4740
Insights
Verse structure: 22 words, 98 letters. The shortest word is "so" (כֵּ֣ן, 2 letters) and the longest is "not·they·delivered" (לֹֽא־הִצִּ֤ילוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 116: against·Him, His·people. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·letters" (וּסְפָרִ֣ים), "to·reproach" (לְחָרֵ֕ף), "and·to·say" (וְלֵאמֹ֨ר). The root אלהים appears 3 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 16 words.
Rashi
And he wrote letters to blaspheme the Lord, the God of Israel And in II Kings (19:14) and in Isaiah (37:14) it is written: “And Hezekiah took the letters from the hand of the messengers and read it; he went up to the House of the Lord, and Hezekiah spread it out before the Lord.”
Malbim
He wrote also a letter - This is mentioned there [in Kings], but what was written in the letters is not stated there; Ezra explains that they contained blasphemies against Hashem.
And they cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language to the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to terrify them, and to affright them; that they might take the city.
verse value 3740
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 66 letters. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֣ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·voice·great" (בְקוֹל־גָּד֜וֹל, 8 letters). 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·called" (וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ), "in·voice·great" (בְקוֹל־גָּד֜וֹל), "Jewish" (יְהוּדִ֗ית). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "upon·nation·of" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·to·disturb·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ [and·they·called] (323) + בְקוֹל־גָּד֜וֹל [in·voice·great] (181) + יְהוּדִ֗ית [Jewish] (435) + עַל־עַ֤ם [upon·nation·of] (210) + יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ [Jerusalem] (586) + אֲשֶׁ֣ר [that] (501) + עַל־הַחוֹמָ֔ה [upon·the·wall] (164) + לְיָֽרְאָ֖ם [to·terrify·them] (281) + וּֽלְבַהֲלָ֑ם [and·to·disturb·them] (113) + לְמַ֖עַן [so·that] (190) + יִלְכְּד֥וּ [they·will·capture] (70) + אֶת־הָעִֽיר [the·city] (686) = 3740.
Rashi
with a loud voice in Judean, etc. to frighten them and to terrify them Here he relates the matter in generalities, but in II Kings (19) and in Isaiah (37) it is thoroughly elaborated upon.
Ralbag
'to terrify them, and to affright them; that they might take the city' - This is self-explanatory: when the guards on the walls become frightened, their hands grow weak in their watch, and it then becomes easy for the enemy to capture the city.
Metzudat David
the Jews' language – In the Jewish language, so that all would understand. that they might take – Thinking that their hearts would melt, and they would not have the strength to fight.
And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem, as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men’s hands.
verse value 1962
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 43 letters. Verse gematria: 1962 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "like·of" (כְּעַ֗ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·they·spoke" (וַֽיְדַבְּר֔וּ, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 120: like·of, peoples·of. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "of·the·God·of" (אֶל־אֱלֹהֵ֖י), "like·of" (כְּעַ֗ל). The root אלהים appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "of·the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "peoples·of" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 7 words. Full calculation: וַֽיְדַבְּר֔וּ [and·they·spoke] (228) + אֶל־אֱלֹהֵ֖י [of·the·God·of] (77) + יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם [Jerusalem] (586) + כְּעַ֗ל [like·of] (120) + אֱלֹהֵי֙ [the·gods·of] (46) + עַמֵּ֣י [peoples·of] (120) + הָאָ֔רֶץ [the·earth] (296) + מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה [work·of] (415) + יְדֵ֥י [hands·of] (24) + הָאָדָֽם [the·man] (50) = 1962.
Rashi
And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem The author of this Book complains about the villain Sennacherib, who blasphemed the living God. as of the gods of the peoples of the land which are the handiwork of man, and they compared the God, our Maker, Who formed everything, to the gods of the peoples, who are their own handiwork, as is written above (v. 14): “Who is it among all the gods of, etc. that your God should be able to save you from my hand?”
Metzudat David
the work, etc. – [Meaning] which are the work of human hands.
And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.
verse value 2563
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 51 letters. The shortest word is "the·king" (הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ, 4 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·Isaiah" (וִישַׁעְיָ֧הוּ), "and·they·cried" (וַֽיִּזְעֲק֖וּ). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "son·of·Amoz" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "Hezekiah" (root יחזקיהו, 37x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'because·of·this', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֞ל [and·he·prayed] (556) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + וִישַׁעְיָ֧הוּ [and·Isaiah] (407) + בֶן־אָמ֛וֹץ [son·of·Amoz] (189) + הַנָּבִ֖יא [the·prophet] (68) + עַל־זֹ֑את [because·of·this] (508) + וַֽיִּזְעֲק֖וּ [and·they·cried] (199) + הַשָּׁמָֽיִם [the·heavens] (395) = 2563.
Rashi
And Hezekiah... prayed In II Kings (19:15–19) and in Isaiah (37:15–19) the prayer is delineated.
Malbim
And prayed - The text of Hezekiah's prayer is written in the earlier books [Kings and Isaiah]; Ezra informs us that Isaiah prayed as well.
And Hashem sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he had come into the house of his god, those who came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
verse value 5265
Insights
Verse structure: 24 words, 106 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 5265 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "there" (שָׁ֖ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·coming-forth-of" (וּמִיצִיאֵ֣י, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 48: and·he·cut·off, valor. 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "angel" (מַלְאָ֔ךְ), "and·he·cut·off" (וַיַּכְחֵ֞ד), "all·mighty·man·of" (כׇּל־גִּבּ֥וֹר). 23 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "king·of" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "his·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Assyria', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 13 words.
Rashi
and some of his own issue as it is written (Isa. 37:38): “and his sons slew him with the sword.”
Ralbag
'who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria' - Meaning that not one officer or captain, nor any of the mighty men, remained there from his camp; what remained were only the weak, who had neither might nor rank, and those who remained were few in number, as Isaiah relates.
Metzudat David
those who came forth of his own bowels – His sons killed him in the house of his god, as stated in II Kings.
Metzudat Zion
cut off - An expression of destruction, as in 'and it was cut off from the earth' (Exodus 9:15).
Thus Hashem saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all, and guided them on every side.
verse value 3626
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 64 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֨ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "and" (וְאֵ֣ת, 3 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (אֶת־יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ, 9 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·saved" (וַיּ֩וֹשַׁע֩), "Hezekiah" (אֶת־יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ), "inhabitants·of" (יֹשְׁבֵ֣י). The root יד appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "king·of·Assyria" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·from·hand·of·all', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַיּ֩וֹשַׁע֩ [and·he·saved] (392) + יְהֹוָ֨ה [Hashem] (26) + אֶת־יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ [Hezekiah] (547) + וְאֵ֣ת [and] (407) + יֹשְׁבֵ֣י [inhabitants·of] (322) + יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם [Jerusalem] (586) + מִיַּ֛ד [from·hand·of] (54) + סַנְחֵרִ֥יב [Sennacherib] (330) + מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֖וּר [king·of·Assyria] (597) + וּמִיַּד־כֹּ֑ל [and·from·hand·of·all] (110) + וַֽיְנַהֲלֵ֖ם [and·he·guided·them] (141) + מִסָּבִֽיב [from·around] (114) = 3626.
Metzudat David
and guided them on every side – He led them all, on every side, gently and with compassion.
Metzudat Zion
guided them - An expression of gentle leading, as in 'He leads me beside still waters' (Psalms 23:2).
Malbim
And guided them - This denotes leading gently one who has no strength of his own.
And many brought gifts to Hashem to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
verse value 2921
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 74 letters. The shortest word is "king·of" (מֶ֣לֶךְ, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Hezekiah" (לִֽיחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 103: bringing, gift. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·many" (וְ֠רַבִּ֠ים), "and·choice·things" (וּמִ֨גְדָּנ֔וֹת), "and·he·was·exalted" (וַיִּנַּשֵּׂ֛א). 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "king·of" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "bringing" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְ֠רַבִּ֠ים [and·many] (258) + מְבִיאִ֨ים [bringing] (103) + מִנְחָ֤ה [gift] (103) + לַֽיהֹוָה֙ [to·Hashem] (56) + לִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם [to·Jerusalem] (616) + וּמִ֨גְדָּנ֔וֹת [and·choice·things] (509) + לִֽיחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ [to·Hezekiah] (176) + מֶ֣לֶךְ [king·of] (90) + יְהוּדָ֑ה [Judah] (30) + וַיִּנַּשֵּׂ֛א [and·he·was·exalted] (367) + לְעֵינֵ֥י [to·eyes·of] (170) + כׇל־הַגּוֹיִ֖ם [all·the·nations] (114) + מֵאַחֲרֵי־כֵֽן [from·after·thus] (329) = 2921.
Metzudat David
from thenceforth – After this miracle was performed for him, he was esteemed and honored in the eyes of all the nations.
Metzudat Zion
precious things - This word indicates something choice, whether in fruits, garments, or precious stones.
In those days Hezekiah was sick even to death; and he prayed to Hashem; and He spoke to him, and gave him a sign.
verse value 2865
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 53 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (ל֔וֹ) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֔וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 36: to·him, to·him. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·the·days" (בַּיָּמִ֣ים), "until·to·die" (עַד־לָמ֑וּת), "and·sign" (וּמוֹפֵ֖ת). The root לו appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·He·spoke" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "gave" (root נתן, 116x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'until·to·die', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 7 words. Full calculation: בַּיָּמִ֣ים [in·the·days] (102) + הָהֵ֔ם [those] (50) + חָלָ֥ה [was·sick] (43) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + עַד־לָמ֑וּת [until·to·die] (550) + וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ [and·he·prayed] (556) + אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה [to·Hashem] (57) + וַיֹּ֣אמֶר [and·He·spoke] (257) + ל֔וֹ [to·him] (36) + וּמוֹפֵ֖ת [and·sign] (532) + נָ֥תַן [gave] (500) + לֽוֹ [to·him] (36) = 2865.
Rashi
and he prayed to the Lord as is delineated in II Kings (20:3). and he spoke to him What is the sign? and he gave him a sign (ibid. verse 9ff.) “This is your sign, etc.” Everything is delineated there.
Ralbag
'and he prayed to Hashem; and He spoke to him, and gave him a sign' - Meaning that Hezekiah had already prayed to Hashem, as is related in the Book of Kings, and Isaiah told him that Hashem would add fifteen years to his life and heal him, so that he would go up to the House of Hashem on the third day; and Isaiah gave him a sign of this, as is related in the Book of Kings. Yet Hezekiah did not repay Hashem in kind for the good He had done him, for it would have been fitting for him to proclaim to everyone the mighty acts of Hashem and His wonders, so that people would be guided toward His service - but he did not do this. For when envoys came to him from Babylon to inquire about the sign that had occurred in the land, Hezekiah did not give the honor for it to Hashem, but rather sought honor for himself in their eyes, showing them his greatness and all his treasure house. Because of this, wrath came upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem, which Hashem sent to him by the hand of Isaiah the prophet (II Kings 20:17-19; Isaiah 39:6-8): 'Behold, days are coming when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up, shall be carried to Babylon; and some of your own sons, who shall issue from you, whom you shall father, shall the king of Babylon take, and they shall be officers in his palace.' This would come about only through the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem and their being exiled. He states that the wrath was directed at Judah and Jerusalem, and relates that Hezekiah had already humbled himself from the pride of his heart, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem had humbled themselves as well, so that the wrath did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah. That is why Hezekiah said: 'Is it not so, if there shall be peace and truth in my days?'
Metzudat David
In those days – Three days before the downfall of Sennacherib. even to death – Until he was close to death. and He spoke to him – [Scripture] is brief here, relying on the reader's understanding: [Hashem] told him that He had accepted his prayer and that he would live, and also gave him a sign of this, as stated in II Kings.
Malbim
And gave him a sign - There [in Isaiah and Kings] it is called an "ot" (sign). Some, philosophizing, said that only the shadow moved back and not the sun itself, as Ralbag writes; Ezra therefore informs us that it was a "mofet" (wonder), for the definition of a "mofet" is something extraordinary that departs from nature - for the sun itself stood still then, as I explained in my commentary to Isaiah.
But Hezekiah did not render according to the benefit done to him; for his heart was lifted up; therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
verse value 1932
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 56 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֥י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·upon·Judah" (וְעַל־יְהוּדָ֖ה, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 116: upon·him, upon·him. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·not·like·benefit" (וְלֹֽא־כִגְמֻ֤ל). The root על appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·there·was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "for" (root כי, 131x in II Chronicles); "and·upon·Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'his·heart', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְלֹֽא־כִגְמֻ֤ל [and·not·like·benefit] (130) + עָלָיו֙ [upon·him] (116) + הֵשִׁ֣יב [he·rendered] (317) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + כִּ֥י [for] (30) + גָבַ֖הּ [was·high] (10) + לִבּ֑וֹ [his·heart] (38) + וַֽיְהִ֤י [and·there·was] (31) + עָלָיו֙ [upon·him] (116) + קֶ֔צֶף [wrath] (270) + וְעַל־יְהוּדָ֖ה [and·upon·Judah] (136) + וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם [and·Jerusalem] (592) = 1932.
Rashi
But...did not repay Him according to that which He had bestowed upon him Hezekiah did not repay the Holy One, blessed be He in accordance with that which He had bestowed upon him by healing him. for his heart became haughty as it is written (ibid. 20:13): “and he showed them his entire treasure-house...and in all his kingdom.” and there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem because of this, and the author of this Book abridged it here because it is described in II Kings (20) and in Isaiah (39).
Metzudat David
did not render according to the benefit – He did not respond in kind to the way the Omnipresent, blessed be He, had dealt kindly with him. for his heart was lifted up – In that he showed the envoys of the king of Babylon all his treasure house, to boast of it, as stated in II Kings.
Malbim
Did not render according to the benefit done to him - I have already explained there [in Isaiah] that the purpose of this wonder was to magnify the standing of Israel, so that their enemies would fear them; but Hezekiah attributed this wonder to his own honor - see there at length. It can also be said that the statement "for his heart was lifted up" connects to what is said just afterward, that he made himself treasuries of gold and silver - which is forbidden to a king, as it is written (Deuteronomy 17:17-20): "and he shall not greatly increase silver and gold for himself, lest his heart be lifted up above his brethren."
Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Hashem did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
verse value 1983
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 62 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "his·heart" (לִבּ֔וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 146: Hezekiah, Hezekiah. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·height·of" (בְּגֹ֣בַהּ), "and·not·he·came" (וְלֹא־בָ֤א). The root יחזקיהו appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·not·he·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיִּכָּנַ֤ע [and·he·humbled·himself] (156) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ [Hezekiah] (146) + בְּגֹ֣בַהּ [in·height·of] (12) + לִבּ֔וֹ [his·heart] (38) + ה֖וּא [he] (12) + וְיוֹשְׁבֵ֣י [and·inhabitants·of] (334) + יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם [Jerusalem] (586) + וְלֹא־בָ֤א [and·not·he·came] (40) + עֲלֵיהֶם֙ [upon·them] (155) + קֶ֣צֶף [wrath·of] (270) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + בִּימֵ֖י [in·days·of] (62) + יְחִזְקִיָּֽהוּ [Hezekiah] (146) = 1983.
Rashi
And Hezekiah became humbled when his heart was haughty as it is written there: “And Hezekiah said to Isaiah: [The word of the Lord that you have spoken is] good.” And when he became humble, the wrath did not come upon them in his days.
Metzudat David
for the pride of his heart – On account of the sin of the pride of his heart.
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;
verse value 3640
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 81 letters. Notable word values: "and·for·all" (וּלְכֹ֖ל) = 86, equal to Elohim. Verse gematria: 3640 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "riches" (עֹ֥שֶׁר, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Hezekiah" (לִיחִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "he·made·for·himself" (עָֽשָׂה־ל֠וֹ), "and·for·stone" (וּלְאֶ֣בֶן), "and·for·spices" (וְלִבְשָׂמִים֙). 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "he·made·for·himself" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "and·there·was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "and·for·all" (root כל, 113x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'exceedingly', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 11 words.
Rashi
and for all precious vessels he made various kinds of treasure-houses.
store-houses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and flocks in folds.
verse value 4481
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 55 letters. The shortest word is "corn" (דָּגָ֖ן, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·store-houses" (וּמִ֨סְכְּנ֔וֹת, 7 letters). 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·store-houses" (וּמִ֨סְכְּנ֔וֹת), "for·increase·of" (לִתְבוּאַ֥ת), "and·wine" (וְתִיר֣וֹשׁ). The root בהמה appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·oil', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 5 words. 6 of the verse's 10 words begin with the letter ו. Full calculation: וּמִ֨סְכְּנ֔וֹת [and·store-houses] (582) + לִתְבוּאַ֥ת [for·increase·of] (839) + דָּגָ֖ן [corn] (57) + וְתִיר֣וֹשׁ [and·wine] (922) + וְיִצְהָ֑ר [and·oil] (311) + וְאֻֽרָוֺת֙ [and·stalls] (613) + לְכׇל־בְּהֵמָ֣ה [for·all·beasts] (132) + וּבְהֵמָ֔ה [and·beasts] (58) + וַעֲדָרִ֖ים [and·flocks] (330) + לָאֲוֵרֹֽת [in·the·folds] (637) = 4481.
Rashi
And storehouses for the increase Regarding storehouses of increase [of grain] it is appropriate to use the term מִסְכְּנוֹת, storehouses, in all places, like (Exod. 1:11): “store cities (עָרֵי מִסְכְּנוֹת) for Pharaoh,” and so, (above 8:4): “And he built Tadmor in the desert and all the store cities (עָרֵי מִסְכְּנוֹת) that he built in Hamath,” and perforce, they were for grain, because in the desert he did not have to store gold and silver. and stalls for all kinds of beasts - Heb. וְאֻרָוֹת, large stables.
Ralbag
'and stalls for all manner of beasts' - These are the animals' feeding-stalls, called 'estables' (stables) in the vernacular. 'and flocks in folds' - Some of these folds were used to house the flocks there, to guard them at night; they are like sheepfolds, called 'courtines' in the vernacular. These folds for the flocks were not roofed structures, but open enclosures.
Metzudat David
for all manner of beasts – For each and every kind separately. and flocks in folds – In every stall he stationed flocks.
Metzudat Zion
store-houses - Places for storage, as in 'and he built store-cities' (Exodus 1:11). stalls - These are places where the animals are fed, for “evus” (crib), as in 'his master's crib' (Isaiah 1:3), is rendered by Targum as “urya de-marohi.” flocks - This is the term for a herd of livestock.
Malbim
And flocks in folds - I have already explained (Habakkuk 3:17) that the term rendered "folds" (arot) is used for a place where much open air is left; its root is "arah," and when animals stand in the open air, not confined within walls, the place is called an "urah," meaning a place of open air. That is, he had flocks standing out in the open, not confined within sheepfolds.
Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much substance.
verse value 3044
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 46 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (ל֔וֹ) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֔וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·possessions·of·flocks" (וּמִקְנֵה־צֹ֥אן, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·possessions·of·flocks" (וּמִקְנֵה־צֹ֥אן), "gave·to·him" (נָֽתַן־לוֹ֙), "property" (רְכ֖וּשׁ). The root רב appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "he·made" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "for" (root כי, 131x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·abundance', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְעָרִים֙ [and·cities] (326) + עָ֣שָׂה [he·made] (375) + ל֔וֹ [unto·him;·v.·ל־] (36) + וּמִקְנֵה־צֹ֥אן [and·possessions·of·flocks] (342) + וּבָקָ֖ר [and·herds] (308) + לָרֹ֑ב [in·abundance] (232) + כִּ֤י [for] (30) + נָֽתַן־לוֹ֙ [gave·to·him] (536) + אֱלֹהִ֔ים [God] (86) + רְכ֖וּשׁ [property] (526) + רַ֥ב [much] (202) + מְאֹֽד [very] (45) = 3044.
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.
verse value 3614
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 78 letters. Notable word values: "and·he" (וְה֣וּא) = 18, chai, 'life'. Verse gematria: 3614 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "he·stopped·up" (סָתַם֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "downward·westward" (לְמַֽטָּה־מַּעְרָ֖בָה, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 146: Hezekiah, Hezekiah. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "he·stopped·up" (סָתַם֙), "spring·of" (אֶת־מוֹצָ֞א), "Gihon" (גִיחוֹן֙). The root יחזקיהו appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·city·of" (root עיר, 89x in II Chronicles); "David" (root דוד, 68x in II Chronicles); "and·he" (root הוא, 56x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'David', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְה֣וּא [and·he] (18) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֗הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + סָתַם֙ [he·stopped·up] (500) + אֶת־מוֹצָ֞א [spring·of] (538) + מֵימֵ֤י [waters·of] (100) + גִיחוֹן֙ [Gihon] (77) + הָֽעֶלְי֔וֹן [the·upper] (171) + וַֽיַּישְּׁרֵ֥ם [and·he·straightened·them] (566) + לְמַֽטָּה־מַּעְרָ֖בָה [downward·westward] (401) + לְעִ֣יר [to·city·of] (310) + דָּוִ֑יד [David] (24) + וַיַּצְלַ֥ח [and·he·prospered] (144) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + בְּכׇֽל־מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ [in·all·his·works] (473) = 3614.
Rashi
and he led them straight down on the west He led them along a straight way down on the west to the City of David.
Ralbag
'stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon...' — Meaning, he stopped up the spring's outlet in such a way that the stream itself dried up, and he devised a stratagem to bring those waters down through channels beneath the ground to the west side of the city of David.
Metzudat David
the upper spring – The place of the upper source of Gihon. and brought them straight down – He led them by a straight path downward, toward the west side, to the city of David. in all his works – That is, in most of his works, for a majority is treated as if it were the whole.
Malbim
This same Hezekiah - Meaning, he did this on his own initiative, for the sages did not agree with him about it, as our sages state. On the west side - For the Pool of the Shelach was on the west side, as is explained in Nehemiah 3. And Hezekiah prospered - Even though this was done without the sages' agreement, he succeeded in his works, for Hashem wished to test him - whether he would rely on Hashem alone and not resort to human stratagems.
However, in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire 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.
verse value 4554
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 72 letters. Verse gematria: 4554 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "and·thus" (וְכֵ֞ן, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·ones·who·sent" (הַֽמְשַׁלְּחִ֤ים, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·ambassadors·of" (בִּמְלִיצֵ֣י), "the·ones·who·sent" (הַֽמְשַׁלְּחִ֤ים), "the·wonder" (הַמּוֹפֵת֙). 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root בבל ("Babylon") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'God', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 3 words.
Rashi
And so, because of the emissaries of Heb. בִּמְלִיצֵי, messengers, similar to (Gen. 42:23): “for the interpreter (הַמֵּלִיץ) was between them” because the messenger is the liaison between the sender and the one to whom he is sent. This is related to the verse that states: “and Hezekiah prospered in all his work,” and after all this good, which the Holy One, blessed be He, had bestowed on him, God forsook him to test him, to know what was in his heart through the emissaries of the officers of Babylon, who were sent to him. to seek the sign that was in the land He did not stand up to the test, and he showed them the weakness of his whole house. The verse is to be explained as if the phrases are reversed.
Ralbag
'in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon...' — This refers to the affair of the messengers whom Berodach-baladan son of Baladan sent to Hezekiah. What he means by 'the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon' is envoys who were themselves princes of Babylon, sent to him by the king of Babylon. 'to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land' — Meaning, the wonder concerning the army of the king of Assyria, who arose in the morning and found them all dead bodies (II Kings 19:35). 'God left him, to try him, that He might know all that was in his heart' — Meaning, in this matter Hashem, may He be blessed, left him to act according to his own judgment, and did not guide him through His prophet as to what he should say to the messengers of the king of Babylon, in order to test him and know all that was in his heart. It appears from this that in his other affairs, which he carried out as well as he possibly could for the good, Hashem helped him and guided him toward them; but in this instance, by contrast, He chose not to guide him, so as to test him. And since it says 'in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon' right here, we learn that just as he did something improper in this matter, so too he did something improper in what he did by stopping up the waters of Gihon. The reason for this, in my view, is that he thereby harmed himself, by removing the benefit of this stream from Jerusalem, when instead he should have trusted in Hashem, may He be blessed, to help him and save him from Sennacherib, without his having to stop up the waters of Gihon.
Metzudat David
However, etc. – This refers back to what was said above, as if to say: behold, in most matters he was successful; and so, too, there was an occasion when He tested him and he was not successful in it — namely, in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon. to inquire of the wonder – To ask about the truth of the wonder that had been performed in the land at the time of his illness, as stated above. God left him – That is, He then did not incline his heart, neither toward good nor toward evil. to try him – In order to test him, to know all that was in his heart.
Metzudat Zion
the ambassadors - A messenger is called a “melitz” because he brings the words of the sender to the one he is sent to; this is the sense of 'for the interpreter was between them' (Genesis 42:23).
Malbim
So also in the business of the ambassadors - This too was a test that he did not withstand, in that he boasted before the princes of Babylon, as I have explained at length in my commentary to Isaiah 39.
Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, 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.
verse value 3493
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 72 letters. The shortest word is "behold·them" (הִנָּ֣ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "kings·of·Judah" (מַלְכֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֖ה, 9 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·vision·of" (בַּחֲז֞וֹן). 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "kings·of·Judah" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "son·of·Amoz" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "and·Israel" (root ישראל, 140x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·his·good·deeds', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 9 words. Full calculation: וְיֶ֛תֶר [and·rest·of] (616) + דִּבְרֵ֥י [acts·of] (216) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + וַחֲסָדָ֑יו [and·his·good·deeds] (94) + הִנָּ֣ם [behold·them] (95) + כְּתוּבִ֗ים [written] (478) + בַּחֲז֞וֹן [in·vision·of] (73) + יְשַׁעְיָ֤הוּ [Isaiah] (401) + בֶן־אָמוֹץ֙ [son·of·Amoz] (189) + הַנָּבִ֔יא [the·prophet] (68) + עַל־סֵ֥פֶר [in·book·of] (440) + מַלְכֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֖ה [kings·of·Judah] (130) + וְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל [and·Israel] (547) = 3493.
Metzudat David
in the vision of Isaiah – That is, in the words of the prophecies of Isaiah. in the book – [The word 'upon' here functions] as if it were written 'and in the book.'
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the sepulchers of the sons of David; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
verse value 5168
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 92 letters. Notable word values: "sons·of·David" (בְנֵי־דָוִיד֒) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "his·son" (בְנ֖וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "sepulchers·of" (קִבְרֵ֣י), "sons·of·David" (בְנֵי־דָוִיד֒), "they·did·to·him" (עָשׂוּ־ל֣וֹ). The root קבר appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·reigned" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "his·son" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "they·did·unto·him;·v.·ל־" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 4 words.
Rashi
in the best - Heb. בְּמַעֲלֵה, in the best, as is explained at the end of the first chapter of Baba Kamma (16b).
Metzudat David
in the ascent – In the most excellent place among them; and our Sages said: with David and Solomon.
Metzudat Zion
in the ascent - [meaning] in an elevated and honored place.
Rashi
Metzudat David
Metzudat Zion
Malbim