Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 32:25
But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative addresses Hezekiah immediately after his recovery from a mortal illness and a received divine sign. His unrepaid favor triggers wrath upon himself, Judah, and Jerusalem before his subsequent humility averts it.
The words — גָבַהּ (gavah) literally means it was haughty or elevated, paired with לִבּוֹ (libbo) for his heart. הֵשִׁיב (hesiv) means he repaid, acting on גְמֻל (gemul) for benefit or favor shown to him.
The thread — Pride provoking divine wrath appears in 2 Chronicles 24:18 and 2 Chronicles 26:16, where arrogance precedes judgment. The same pattern of God’s anger burning against His people surfaces in 2 Samuel 24:1.
Why it lands — The text states that Hezekiah’s pride caused wrath to fall on the nation, later reversed only when he humbled himself and the people. It requires readers to recognize that unreturned grace carries national consequences and that posture determines timing of judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 24:18 They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles and idols. So wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.
- 2 Chronicles 26:16 But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
- 2 Samuel 24:1 Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah’s heart.
- Deuteronomy 8:17 You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”
- 2 Kings 14:10 You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Glory in that and stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”
- 1 Chronicles 21:12 between three years of famine, three months of being swept away before your enemies and overtaken by their swords, or three days of the sword of the LORD—days of plague upon the land, with the angel of the LORD ravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.”
- Deuteronomy 8:12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell,
- Deuteronomy 32:6 Is this how you repay the LORD, O foolish and senseless people? Is He not your Father and Creator? Has He not made you and established you?
- 2 Samuel 24:10 After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”