2 Kings 19:37

Authorized King James Version

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And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

Original Language Analysis

וַיְהִי֩ H1961
וַיְהִי֩
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ה֨וּא H1931
ה֨וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 2 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֜ה And it came to pass as he was worshipping H7812
מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֜ה And it came to pass as he was worshipping
Strong's: H7812
Word #: 3 of 20
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
בֵּ֣ית׀ in the house H1004
בֵּ֣ית׀ in the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 4 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
נִסְרֹ֣ךְ of Nisroch H5268
נִסְרֹ֣ךְ of Nisroch
Strong's: H5268
Word #: 5 of 20
nisrok, a babylonian idol
אֱלֹהָ֗יו his god H430
אֱלֹהָ֗יו his god
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְֽאַדְרַמֶּ֨לֶךְ that Adrammelech H152
וְֽאַדְרַמֶּ֨לֶךְ that Adrammelech
Strong's: H152
Word #: 7 of 20
adrammelek, the name of an assyrian idol, also of a son of sennacherib
וְשַׂרְאֶ֤צֶר and Sharezer H8272
וְשַׂרְאֶ֤צֶר and Sharezer
Strong's: H8272
Word #: 8 of 20
sharetser, the name of an assyrian and an israelite
בְּנ֖וֹ his son H1121
בְּנ֖וֹ his son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 9 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הִכֻּ֣הוּ smote H5221
הִכֻּ֣הוּ smote
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 10 of 20
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בַחֶ֔רֶב him with the sword H2719
בַחֶ֔רֶב him with the sword
Strong's: H2719
Word #: 11 of 20
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְהֵ֥מָּה H1992
וְהֵ֥מָּה
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 12 of 20
they (only used when emphatic)
נִמְלְט֖וּ and they escaped H4422
נִמְלְט֖וּ and they escaped
Strong's: H4422
Word #: 13 of 20
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
אֶ֣רֶץ into the land H776
אֶ֣רֶץ into the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 14 of 20
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲרָרָ֑ט of Armenia H780
אֲרָרָ֑ט of Armenia
Strong's: H780
Word #: 15 of 20
ararat (or rather armenia)
וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ reigned H4427
וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ reigned
Strong's: H4427
Word #: 16 of 20
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
אֵֽסַר H0
אֵֽסַר
Strong's: H0
Word #: 17 of 20
חַדֹּ֥ן And Esarhaddon H634
חַדֹּ֥ן And Esarhaddon
Strong's: H634
Word #: 18 of 20
esar-chaddon, an assyrian king
בְּנ֖וֹ his son H1121
בְּנ֖וֹ his son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 19 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ H8478
תַּחְתָּֽיו׃
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 20 of 20
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

Analysis & Commentary

And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

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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