2 Kings 18:17
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 31
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אַשּׁ֡וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֡וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
3 of 31
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 31
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ
Hezekiah
H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ
Hezekiah
Strong's:
H2396
Word #:
15 of 31
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
כָּבֵ֖ד
with a great
H3515
כָּבֵ֖ד
with a great
Strong's:
H3515
Word #:
17 of 31
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
against Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
against Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
18 of 31
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
And they went up
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
And they went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
19 of 31
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
and came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
and came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
20 of 31
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
against Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
against Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
21 of 31
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
And they went up
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
And they went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
22 of 31
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
and came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
and came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
23 of 31
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙
and stood
H5975
וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙
and stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
24 of 31
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
בִּתְעָלַת֙
by the conduit
H8585
בִּתְעָלַת֙
by the conduit
Strong's:
H8585
Word #:
25 of 31
a bandage or plaster (as placed upon a wound)
הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה
pool
H1295
הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה
pool
Strong's:
H1295
Word #:
26 of 31
a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place)
הָֽעֶלְיוֹנָ֔ה
of the upper
H5945
הָֽעֶלְיוֹנָ֔ה
of the upper
Strong's:
H5945
Word #:
27 of 31
an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme
אֲשֶׁ֕ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֕ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
28 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 20:1In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;Isaiah 7:3Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shear-jashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;2 Kings 20:20And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?Isaiah 36:2And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 18 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (Hezekiah's Reforms and Assyrian Threat) 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
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 18 regarding faithful reformation faces external pressure?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. 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.