2 Kings 20:6

Authorized King James Version

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And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

Original Language Analysis

וְהֹֽסַפְתִּ֣י And I will add H3254
וְהֹֽסַפְתִּ֣י And I will add
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 1 of 21
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 2 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָמֶ֗יךָ unto thy days H3117
יָמֶ֗יךָ unto thy days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 3 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
חֲמֵ֤שׁ fifteen H2568
חֲמֵ֤שׁ fifteen
Strong's: H2568
Word #: 4 of 21
five
עֶשְׂרֵה֙ H6240
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
Strong's: H6240
Word #: 5 of 21
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
שָׁנָ֔ה years H8141
שָׁנָ֔ה years
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 6 of 21
a year (as a revolution of time)
וּמִכַּ֤ף out of the hand H3709
וּמִכַּ֤ף out of the hand
Strong's: H3709
Word #: 7 of 21
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
מֶֽלֶךְ of the king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ of the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 8 of 21
a king
אַשּׁוּר֙ of Assyria H804
אַשּׁוּר֙ of Assyria
Strong's: H804
Word #: 9 of 21
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
אַצִּ֣ילְךָ֔ and I will deliver H5337
אַצִּ֣ילְךָ֔ and I will deliver
Strong's: H5337
Word #: 10 of 21
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
וְאֵ֖ת H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעִ֣יר thee and this city H5892
הָעִ֣יר thee and this city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 12 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַזֹּ֑את H2063
הַזֹּ֑את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 13 of 21
this (often used adverb)
וְגַנּוֹתִי֙ and I will defend H1598
וְגַנּוֹתִי֙ and I will defend
Strong's: H1598
Word #: 14 of 21
to hedge about, i.e., (generally) protect
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 15 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעִ֣יר thee and this city H5892
הָעִ֣יר thee and this city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 16 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַזֹּ֔את H2063
הַזֹּ֔את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 17 of 21
this (often used adverb)
לְמַֽעֲנִ֔י H4616
לְמַֽעֲנִ֔י
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 18 of 21
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
וּלְמַ֖עַן H4616
וּלְמַ֖עַן
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 19 of 21
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
דָּוִ֥ד David's H1732
דָּוִ֥ד David's
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 20 of 21
david, the youngest son of jesse
עַבְדִּֽי׃ for mine own sake and for my servant H5650
עַבְדִּֽי׃ for mine own sake and for my servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 21 of 21
a servant

Analysis & Commentary

And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. 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 20 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery) 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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