2 Kings 18:17

Authorized King James Version

And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח

H7971

sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ

H4428

And the king

a king

אַשּׁ֡וּר

H804

of Assyria

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

תַּרְתָּ֥ן

H8661

Tartan

tartan, an assyrian

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רַב

סָרִ֣יס׀

H7249

and Rabsaris

rab-saris, a babylonian official

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#10

רַבְשָׁקֵ֨ה

H7262

and Rabshakeh

rabshakeh, a babylonian official

#11

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#12

לָכִ֜ישׁ

H3923

from Lachish

lakish, a place in palestine

#13

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#14

הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ

H4428

And the king

a king

#15

חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ

H2396

Hezekiah

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

#16

בְּחֵ֥יל

H2426

host

an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment

#17

כָּבֵ֖ד

H3515

with a great

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

#18

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם

H3389

against Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

#19

וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ

H5927

And they went up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#20

וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ

H935

and came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#21

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם

H3389

against Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

#22

וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ

H5927

And they went up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#23

וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ

H935

and came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#24

וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙

H5975

and stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#25

בִּתְעָלַת֙

H8585

by the conduit

a bandage or plaster (as placed upon a wound)

#26

הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה

H1295

pool

a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place)

#27

הָֽעֶלְיוֹנָ֔ה

H5945

of the upper

an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme

#28

אֲשֶׁ֕ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#29

בִּמְסִלַּ֖ת

H4546

which is in the highway

a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase

#30

שְׂדֵ֥ה

H7704

field

a field (as flat)

#31

כוֹבֵֽס׃

H3526

of the fuller's

to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Kings.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources

Biblical Maps