II Kings 20:21 · Bible study
2 Kings 20:21 Commentary: Hezekiah's Death
Hebrew · 6 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
The formula 'slept with his fathers' for Hezekiah, his unique burial, and what it means for his legacy and the transition to Manasseh.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A simple death formula concluding Hezekiah's reign and recording the succession of his son Manasseh, using the standard euphemism 'slept with his fathers.'
- Key words: שָׁכַב (shakav, to lie down, often for death); תַּחַת (tachat, underneath, in place of).
- Main debate: Whether Hezekiah's burial separate from the royal tombs was a mark of special honour (Gill, the Chronicler) or signalled a decline in the Davidic dynasty (Cambridge Bible).
- Theological theme: Death as a gathering to ancestors; the transition between generations; the interplay of human legacy and divine sovereignty.
- Best use: As a transitional verse in a series on Hezekiah or Manasseh, or as a case study in how Scripture records the death of a good king with both honour and realism.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And Hezekiah rested with his fathers, and his son Manasseh reigned in his place.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.
KJV King James Version 1769
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers; and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And Hezekiah lieth with his fathers, and reign doth Manasseh his son in his stead.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers; and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And Ezechias slept with his fathers, and Manasses, his son reigned in his stead.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y durmió Ezechîas con sus padres, y reinó en su lugar Manasés su hijo.
E descansou Ezequias com seus pais, e reinou em seu lugar Manassés seu filho.
Ézéchias se coucha avec ses pères. Et Manassé, son fils, régna à sa place.
Und Hiskia entschlief mit seinen Vätern. Und Manasse, sein Sohn, ward König an seiner Statt.
En Hizkia ontsliep met zijn vaderen; en zijn zoon Manasse werd koning in zijn plaats.
Ezechia s’addormentò coi suoi padri, e Manasse, suo figliuolo, regnò in luogo suo.
I zasnął Ezechyjasz z ojcami swymi, a królował Manases, syn jego, miasto niego.
И почил Езекия с отцами своими, и воцарился Манассия, сын его, вместо него.
希西家 與 他列祖 同睡。他兒子 瑪拿西 接續他 作王。
And Hezekiah went to rest with his fathers; and Manasseh his son became king in his place.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Kings 20:21
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse uses the standard Deuteronomistic formula for a king's death: 'slept with his fathers' (Hebrew va/yishkav). The verb shakav functions as a euphemism for 'died' (Gill). The Chronicler adds detail: Hezekiah was buried 'in the ascent to the tombs of the sons of David' and all Judah honoured him (2 Chr 32:33). Gill notes the public mourning and burning of spices. The Cambridge Bible points out that from Hezekiah onward, the kings of Judah were no longer buried in the royal tombs. So while the formula itself is conventional, Hezekiah's burial was exceptional, a mark of high esteem yet also a departure from the traditional resting place of David's line.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Special honour view: Hezekiah buried with honour by all Judah and Jerusalem (2 Chr 32:33); Gill notes the public mourning and burning of spices as signs of high esteem.
- Dynastic shift view: From Hezekiah onward, kings of Judah were no longer buried in the royal tombs (Cambridge Bible); the change may reflect the approaching judgment prophesied in 20:17–18.
What is clear: The verse records Hezekiah's death and Manasseh's succession, using the standard formula for a king's death in the Deuteronomistic history.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The formula 'slept with his fathers' | All commentators agree it is a standard Deuteronomistic euphemism for a king's death, indicating he died and was buried with his ancestors. | Some see it as a neutral convention; others as implying a peaceful death and inclusion in the covenant community (cf. 'gathered to his people' in Genesis). |
| Hezekiah's burial location and honor | The Chronicler records a unique burial in the 'ascent of the tombs of David' with great honour from all Judah. Commentators affirm he was not in the royal tombs. | Whether this signifies special honour (Gill, noting the public mourning) or a departure from Davidic custom (Cambridge, noting later kings also were not buried there). |
| The transition from Hezekiah to Manasseh | Historically, Manasseh succeeded Hezekiah and reigned 55 years. The verse marks a clear succession. | Whether the transition reflects divine judgment (the prophecy of exile in 20:17, 18 looming) or simply the natural course of generations. |
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, burial with one's ancestors signified belonging to the covenant community. The formula 'slept with his fathers' appears throughout 1, 2 Kings, marking the end of a reign and implicitly the transfer of leadership. Most kings of Judah were buried in the city of David (1 Kings 2:10; 11:43; 14:31). Hezekiah's burial followed a different pattern. The Chronicler writes that he was buried 'in the ascent to the tombs of the sons of David' (2 Chr 32:33). The Cambridge Bible explains that this was not in the tombs themselves but 'in some place of an elevated character near thereto.' From this point, Judah's kings were laid elsewhere, Manasseh in the garden of Uzza (2 Kgs 21:18), Amon in the same garden (2 Kgs 21:26).
The reasons for the shift are not stated in the text. Possibly the royal tombs were full; possibly the prophecy of Babylonian exile (20:17, 18) cast a shadow over the dynasty. What is clear is that Hezekiah received an honorable burial: 'All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death' (2 Chr 32:33). The verse also marks a new chapter: Manasseh would reign fifty-five years and lead Judah into deep idolatry. Hezekiah's peaceful death stands in contrast to the upheaval his son would bring. His engineering project, the tunnel and pool (v. 20), remained a lasting achievement, a blend of faith and practical wisdom.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text is consistent across manuscripts and versions, and the formula appears uniformly.
Reception History
In the history of interpretation, this verse has been read primarily as a conventional notice of a king's death. Early Jewish tradition valued Hezekiah as a righteous king. Christian commentators such as Matthew Henry (1710) used it to close the narrative of Hezekiah's piety and to introduce the account of Manasseh's wicked reign. The Chronicler's additional detail prompted reflection on the honour due to faithful leaders. The formula 'slept with his fathers' has also been taken by many as pointing to the hope of resurrection, since death is described as sleep in the New Testament (1 Thess 4:13). The verse serves as a narrative hinge, concluding one reign and beginning another, and has been used in sermons on legacy and the passing of godly influence.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- A faithful king finishes well. Hezekiah's death was honoured despite his earlier lapse with the Babylonian envoys (20:12, 19). His calm response to the prophecy, 'Good is the word of the Lord', shows trust. His funeral was a public affirmation of his life.
- The next generation cannot be controlled. Manasseh would undo his father's reforms. A godly parent cannot guarantee a godly child. Faith must be personally received.
- The hope of being gathered to one's people. The formula 'slept with his fathers' implies reunion. For Christian readers, this points to the hope of resurrection: those who die in the Lord do not simply cease but are gathered into God's presence.
Five-point outline
- Death is a transition, not a full stop. The burial formula moves the story forward. Hezekiah's reign ends, but his legacy continues in Manasseh and beyond.
- Honour in death reflects a life poured out for God. His unique burial and national mourning show that how we live determines how we are remembered.
- The tunnel of Siloam stands as a monument to wise leadership. Hezekiah prepared for siege without abandoning faith, a lesson in prudent action.
- The shadow of judgment tempers celebration. The prediction of Babylonian captivity reminds readers that no human kingdom is final.
- Manasseh's rise begins a dark chapter, yet hope remains. Even this wicked king repents at the end (2 Chr 33), showing that God's mercy extends to all.
Illustration hooks
- The funeral of a respected leader where people line the streets, remembering both accomplishments and shortcomings.
- A father who built a legacy of integrity, yet his children walked away from his values, a reminder that each generation must choose for itself.
- An engineering project that outlasts its builder: Hezekiah's tunnel still supplies water to Jerusalem, a tangible symbol of wise foresight.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Was Hezekiah a good king if his son turned out so badly?
- Does the Bible promise that faithful parents will have faithful children?
- What does it mean to 'sleep with one's fathers'? Is that heaven, or just an ancient way of speaking?
Leading a Discussion
This verse marks a transition. It closes the story of one of Judah's best kings and opens the reign of its worst. It invites reflection on legacy, the limits of parental influence, and the hope of dying in the Lord.
Discussion questions
- What does the phrase 'slept with his fathers' tell us about how the Old Testament views death?
- Hezekiah was buried apart from the royal tombs. Do you think this was an honour or a sign of something else? Why?
- How does the Chronicler's additional detail (2 Chr 32:33) shape your understanding of Hezekiah's life?
- Hezekiah accepted a prophecy of exile calmly. How do we respond when God's plans include hardship beyond our lifetime?
- Manasseh started his reign as a wicked king. What does that say about personal responsibility versus parental legacy?
- How can we build a legacy of faith without controlling the choices of those who come after us?
- What 'tunnels', hidden acts of provision or protection, might God be calling us to build in our own generation?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Kings 2:10 | David slept with his fathers, and was buried in David’s city. |
| I Kings 11:43 | Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place. |
| I Kings 14:31 | Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in David’s city. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess. Abijam his son reigned in his place. |
| II Kings 21:1 | Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. |
| II Kings 21:18 | Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza; and Amon his son reigned in his place. |
| II Chronicles 26:23 | So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” Jotham his son reigned in his place. |
| II Chronicles 32:33 | Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent to the tombs of the sons of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. Manasseh his son reigned in his place. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge commentary draws attention to the detail that Hezekiah was buried in an elevated area near the royal tombs, not in them. This marks a change: from this point, the kings of Judah were no longer laid in the traditional tombs of the kings.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his sonne reigned in his steade.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that while this account simply says Hezekiah died, the parallel in 2 Chronicles reveals the great honor he received at his burial—a prominent tomb, a vast public funeral, and official mourning. This detail shows that even in death, Hezekiah was given exceptional respect by his people.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch notes that the basin and aqueduct mentioned here were built by Hezekiah. For the specific details of these construction projects, they direct the reader to the parallel account in 2 Kings.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange places Hezekiah's illness after Sennacherib's retreat, insisting the biblical order is correct and that the fifteen-year extension is symbolic rather than exact. He interprets the king's display of treasures to Babylon's envoys not as vanity but as a political misstep: trusting an alliance with Babylon instead of God alone.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry notes that Hezekiah's proud display of his treasures to the Babylonian envoys brought on the prophecy of exile. But what stands out is Hezekiah's self-centered response: he calls God's word good because it will bring peace and truth in his own days, caring little for the disaster awaiting his children.