2 Chronicles 32:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, 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 was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →An angel of the Lord destroys Sennacherib's army, forcing him to return home defeated, where his sons assassinate him.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 32:21
God miraculously delivers Judah by destroying Sennacherib's army and arranging his downfall through his own sons.
What Does 2 Chronicles 32:21 Mean?
The prayer of Hezekiah and Isaiah receives immediate, overwhelming answer. God sends an angel who eliminates the mighty men, leaders, and captains of the Assyrian army—precisely those irreplaceable military assets that Sennacherib's power depended upon. Sennacherib must return home in humiliation.
Sennacherib's humiliation extends beyond military defeat. Back in his homeland, his own sons execute him within his own temple. His attempted intimidation through power and propaganda ends in death by his own family—a reversal of the glory he sought.
2 Chronicles 32:21 in the Original Language
'mighty men of valour' (אִיל חַיִל, il chayil) — men of great strength and military prowess; the loss of these leaders would devastate an army's cohesion and capability.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 32:21
What does 2 Chronicles 32:21 mean?
An angel of the Lord destroys Sennacherib's army, forcing him to return home defeated, where his sons assassinate him.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 32:21?
God miraculously delivers Judah by destroying Sennacherib's army and arranging his downfall through his own sons.