2 Kings 19:4

Authorized King James Version

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It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.

Original Language Analysis

אוּלַ֡י It may be H194
אוּלַ֡י It may be
Strong's: H194
Word #: 1 of 27
if not; hence perhaps
שָׁמַ֖ע hath heard H8085
שָׁמַ֖ע hath heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 2 of 27
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 4 of 27
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
אֵ֣ת׀ H853
אֵ֣ת׀
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים all the words H1697
בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים all the words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 7 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה of Rabshakeh H7262
רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה of Rabshakeh
Strong's: H7262
Word #: 8 of 27
rabshakeh, a babylonian official
אֲשֶׁר֩ H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שְׁלָח֨וֹ hath sent H7971
שְׁלָח֨וֹ hath sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 10 of 27
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מֶֽלֶךְ whom the king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ whom the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 11 of 27
a king
אַשּׁ֤וּר׀ of Assyria H804
אַשּׁ֤וּר׀ of Assyria
Strong's: H804
Word #: 12 of 27
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
אֲדֹנָיו֙ his master H113
אֲדֹנָיו֙ his master
Strong's: H113
Word #: 13 of 27
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
לְחָרֵף֙ to reproach H2778
לְחָרֵף֙ to reproach
Strong's: H2778
Word #: 14 of 27
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;
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 15 of 27
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
חַ֔י the living H2416
חַ֔י the living
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 16 of 27
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְהוֹכִ֙יחַ֙ and will reprove H3198
וְהוֹכִ֙יחַ֙ and will reprove
Strong's: H3198
Word #: 17 of 27
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים all the words H1697
בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים all the words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 18 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 19 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁמַ֖ע hath heard H8085
שָׁמַ֖ע hath heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 20 of 27
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 21 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 22 of 27
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
וְנָשָׂ֣אתָ wherefore lift up H5375
וְנָשָׂ֣אתָ wherefore lift up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 23 of 27
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
תְפִלָּ֔ה thy prayer H8605
תְפִלָּ֔ה thy prayer
Strong's: H8605
Word #: 24 of 27
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
בְּעַ֥ד H1157
בְּעַ֥ד
Strong's: H1157
Word #: 25 of 27
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
הַשְּׁאֵרִ֖ית for the remnant H7611
הַשְּׁאֵרִ֖ית for the remnant
Strong's: H7611
Word #: 26 of 27
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
הַנִּמְצָאָֽה׃ that are left H4672
הַנִּמְצָאָֽה׃ that are left
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 27 of 27
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

Analysis & Commentary

It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 19: Faith vindicated through divine intervention. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. 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.

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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