2 Chronicles 32:8

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

עִמּוֹ֙ H5973
עִמּוֹ֙
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 1 of 16
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
זְר֣וֹעַ With him is an arm H2220
זְר֣וֹעַ With him is an arm
Strong's: H2220
Word #: 2 of 16
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
בָּשָׂ֔ר of flesh H1320
בָּשָׂ֔ר of flesh
Strong's: H1320
Word #: 3 of 16
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
וְעִמָּ֜נוּ H5973
וְעִמָּ֜נוּ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 4 of 16
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יְהוָ֤ה but with us is the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה but with us is the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ our God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ our God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לְעָזְרֵ֔נוּ to help H5826
לְעָזְרֵ֔נוּ to help
Strong's: H5826
Word #: 7 of 16
to surround, i.e., protect or aid
וּלְהִלָּחֵ֖ם us and to fight H3898
וּלְהִלָּחֵ֖ם us and to fight
Strong's: H3898
Word #: 8 of 16
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
מִלְחֲמֹתֵ֑נוּ our battles H4421
מִלְחֲמֹתֵ֑נוּ our battles
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 9 of 16
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וַיִּסָּֽמְכ֣וּ rested H5564
וַיִּסָּֽמְכ֣וּ rested
Strong's: H5564
Word #: 10 of 16
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
הָעָ֔ם And the people H5971
הָעָ֔ם And the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 11 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דִּבְרֵ֖י themselves upon the words H1697
דִּבְרֵ֖י themselves upon the words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 13 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ of Hezekiah H3169
יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ of Hezekiah
Strong's: H3169
Word #: 14 of 16
jechizkijah, the name of five israelites
מֶֽלֶךְ king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 15 of 16
a king
יְהוּדָֽה׃ of Judah H3063
יְהוּדָֽה׃ of Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 16 of 16
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

Cross References

Jeremiah 17:5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.2 Chronicles 20:15And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not your's, but God's.2 Chronicles 20:17Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Acts 18:10For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.2 Timothy 4:17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.Psalms 46:11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.1 John 4:4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.2 Chronicles 13:12And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.Deuteronomy 20:4For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Analysis & Commentary

Hezekiah's exhortation to Judah explains why they need not fear Assyria: '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 Ahaz king of Judah.' The contrast - 'arm of flesh' (zero'a basar) versus 'LORD our God' - distinguishes between mere human power and divine omnipotence. Sennacherib had only creaturely strength, while Judah had the Creator who 'helps' and 'fights battles.' The people's response - 'rested themselves' (samakh - lean/rely) on Hezekiah's words - demonstrated faith. This teaches that spiritual leaders must direct people's trust to God, not human resources. Christ incarnates this truth - fully human ('arm of flesh') yet fully God, fighting and winning our battles.

Historical Context

Sennacherib's invasion (701 BCE) brought Assyria's vast military machine against Jerusalem. Hezekiah's faith-building words prepared people for the miraculous deliverance when God's angel destroyed 185,000 Assyrians (32:21), vindicating trust in God over human calculation.

Questions for Reflection