2 Kings 19:23

Authorized King James Version

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By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.

Original Language Analysis

בְּיַ֣ד By H3027
בְּיַ֣ד By
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 1 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מַלְאָכֶיךָ֮ thy messengers H4397
מַלְאָכֶיךָ֮ thy messengers
Strong's: H4397
Word #: 2 of 23
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
חֵרַ֣פְתָּ׀ thou hast reproached H2778
חֵרַ֣פְתָּ׀ thou hast reproached
Strong's: H2778
Word #: 3 of 23
to pull off, i.e., (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e., defame;
אֲדֹנָי֒ the Lord H136
אֲדֹנָי֒ the Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 4 of 23
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
וַתֹּ֗אמֶר and hast said H559
וַתֹּ֗אמֶר and hast said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 23
to say (used with great latitude)
בְּרֹ֥כב With the multitude H7230
בְּרֹ֥כב With the multitude
Strong's: H7230
Word #: 6 of 23
abundance (in any respect)
רִכְבִּ֛י of my chariots H7393
רִכְבִּ֛י of my chariots
Strong's: H7393
Word #: 7 of 23
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
אֲנִ֥י H589
אֲנִ֥י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 8 of 23
i
עָלִ֛יתִי I am come up H5927
עָלִ֛יתִי I am come up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 9 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מְר֥וֹם to the height H4791
מְר֥וֹם to the height
Strong's: H4791
Word #: 10 of 23
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
הָרִ֖ים of the mountains H2022
הָרִ֖ים of the mountains
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 11 of 23
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יַרְכְּתֵ֣י to the sides H3411
יַרְכְּתֵ֣י to the sides
Strong's: H3411
Word #: 12 of 23
properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess
לְבָנ֑וֹן of Lebanon H3844
לְבָנ֑וֹן of Lebanon
Strong's: H3844
Word #: 13 of 23
lebanon, a mountain range in palestine
וְאֶכְרֹ֞ת and will cut down H3772
וְאֶכְרֹ֞ת and will cut down
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 14 of 23
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
קוֹמַ֤ת the tall H6967
קוֹמַ֤ת the tall
Strong's: H6967
Word #: 15 of 23
height
אֲרָזָיו֙ cedar trees H730
אֲרָזָיו֙ cedar trees
Strong's: H730
Word #: 16 of 23
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
מִבְח֣וֹר thereof and the choice H4004
מִבְח֣וֹר thereof and the choice
Strong's: H4004
Word #: 17 of 23
select, i.e., well fortified
בְּרֹשָׁ֔יו fir trees H1265
בְּרֹשָׁ֔יו fir trees
Strong's: H1265
Word #: 18 of 23
a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)
וְאָב֙וֹאָה֙ thereof and I will enter H935
וְאָב֙וֹאָה֙ thereof and I will enter
Strong's: H935
Word #: 19 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מְל֣וֹן into the lodgings H4411
מְל֣וֹן into the lodgings
Strong's: H4411
Word #: 20 of 23
a lodgment, i.e., caravanserai or encampment
קִצֹּ֔ה of his borders H7093
קִצֹּ֔ה of his borders
Strong's: H7093
Word #: 21 of 23
an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
יַ֖עַר and into the forest H3293
יַ֖עַר and into the forest
Strong's: H3293
Word #: 22 of 23
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
כַּרְמִלּֽוֹ׃ of his Carmel H3760
כַּרְמִלּֽוֹ׃ of his Carmel
Strong's: H3760
Word #: 23 of 23
karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

Analysis & Commentary

By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 19: Faith vindicated through divine intervention. 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.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 19 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (God Delivers Jerusalem) 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.

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