Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 32:3
he consulted with his leaders and mighty men about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — After observing Sennacherib’s approach to Jerusalem, King Hezekiah convenes his officials and military commanders to plan a defensive measure.
The words — The text highlights וַ/יִּוָּעַ֗ץ (va/i.yi.va.'Atz), meaning “he took counsel,” and לִ/סְתּוֹם֙ (li/s.tOm), meaning “to stop up.” These verbs frame the verse as a deliberate strategic decision followed by physical action.
The thread — This emphasis on collective planning appears in Proverbs 15:22, 20:18, and 24:6, which repeatedly link successful outcomes to seeking multiple advisers. The immediate context in 2 Chronicles 32:4 confirms the execution of this plan across the land.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to recognize that prudent leadership involves consulting capable advisers and translating shared decisions into coordinated action. It presents strategic preparation as a factual necessity rather than a spiritual exercise.
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
He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
- Proverbs 20:18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
- Proverbs 24:6 Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.
- 2 Kings 18:20 You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me?
- 2 Kings 20:20 As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, along with all his might and how he constructed the pool and the tunnel to bring water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
- 2 Chronicles 30:2 For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month,
- Isaiah 22:8 He has uncovered the defenses of Judah. On that day you looked to the weapons in the House of the Forest.
- Isaiah 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor?
- Romans 11:34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”