2 Kings 18:14
And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 31
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
חִזְקִיָּ֣ה
And Hezekiah
H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֣ה
And Hezekiah
Strong's:
H2396
Word #:
2 of 31
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
4 of 31
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אַשּׁ֜וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֜וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
7 of 31
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
חָטָ֙אתִי֙
I have offended
H2398
חָטָ֙אתִי֙
I have offended
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
10 of 31
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
שׁ֣וּב
return
H7725
שׁ֣וּב
return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
11 of 31
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מֵֽעָלַ֔י
H5921
מֵֽעָלַ֔י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֵ֛ת
H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּתֵּ֥ן
from me that which thou puttest
H5414
תִּתֵּ֥ן
from me that which thou puttest
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 31
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עָלַ֖י
H5921
עָלַ֖י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶשָּׂ֑א
on me will I bear
H5375
אֶשָּׂ֑א
on me will I bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
17 of 31
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם
appointed
H7760
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם
appointed
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
18 of 31
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אַשּׁ֜וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֜וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
20 of 31
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
חִזְקִיָּ֣ה
And Hezekiah
H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֣ה
And Hezekiah
Strong's:
H2396
Word #:
22 of 31
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
24 of 31
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
שְׁלֹ֤שׁ
three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֤שׁ
three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
25 of 31
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
כִּכַּ֥ר
talents
H3603
כִּכַּ֥ר
talents
Strong's:
H3603
Word #:
27 of 31
a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l
כֶּ֔סֶף
of silver
H3701
כֶּ֔סֶף
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
28 of 31
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 18 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (Hezekiah's Reforms and Assyrian Threat) reflects the historical reality of genuine religious reform under Hezekiah, including trust in God that resulted in miraculous deliverance from Assyria. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 18 regarding faithful reformation faces external pressure?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.
The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.