2 Kings 19:26

Authorized King James Version

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Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.

Original Language Analysis

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙ Therefore their inhabitants H3427
וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙ Therefore their inhabitants
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 1 of 15
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
קִצְרֵי were of small H7116
קִצְרֵי were of small
Strong's: H7116
Word #: 2 of 15
short (whether in size, number, life, strength or temper)
יָ֔ד power H3027
יָ֔ד power
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 3 of 15
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
חַ֖תּוּ they were dismayed H2865
חַ֖תּוּ they were dismayed
Strong's: H2865
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
וַיֵּבֹ֑שׁוּ and confounded H954
וַיֵּבֹ֑שׁוּ and confounded
Strong's: H954
Word #: 5 of 15
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
הָי֞וּ H1961
הָי֞וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 6 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עֵ֤שֶׂב they were as the grass H6212
עֵ֤שֶׂב they were as the grass
Strong's: H6212
Word #: 7 of 15
grass (or any tender shoot)
שָׂדֶה֙ of the field H7704
שָׂדֶה֙ of the field
Strong's: H7704
Word #: 8 of 15
a field (as flat)
וִ֣ירַק and as the green H3419
וִ֣ירַק and as the green
Strong's: H3419
Word #: 9 of 15
properly, green; concretely, a vegetable
דֶּ֔שֶׁא herb H1877
דֶּ֔שֶׁא herb
Strong's: H1877
Word #: 10 of 15
a sprout; by analogy, grass
חֲצִ֣יר as the grass H2682
חֲצִ֣יר as the grass
Strong's: H2682
Word #: 11 of 15
grass; also a leek (collectively)
גַּגּ֔וֹת on the housetops H1406
גַּגּ֔וֹת on the housetops
Strong's: H1406
Word #: 12 of 15
a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar
וּשְׁדֵפָ֖ה and as corn blasted H7711
וּשְׁדֵפָ֖ה and as corn blasted
Strong's: H7711
Word #: 13 of 15
blight
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 14 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
קָמָֽה׃ it be grown up H7054
קָמָֽה׃ it be grown up
Strong's: H7054
Word #: 15 of 15
something that rises, i.e., a stalk of grain

Analysis & Commentary

Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.

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.

Questions for Reflection

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