2 Kings 19:24

Authorized King James Version

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I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.

Original Language Analysis

אֲנִ֣י H589
אֲנִ֣י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 1 of 11
i
קַ֔רְתִּי I have digged H6979
קַ֔רְתִּי I have digged
Strong's: H6979
Word #: 2 of 11
to trench; by implication, to throw forth; to wall up, whether literal (to build a wall) or figurative (to estop)
וְשָׁתִ֖יתִי and drunk H8354
וְשָׁתִ֖יתִי and drunk
Strong's: H8354
Word #: 3 of 11
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
מַ֣יִם waters H4325
מַ֣יִם waters
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 4 of 11
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
זָרִ֑ים strange H2114
זָרִ֑ים strange
Strong's: H2114
Word #: 5 of 11
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
וְאַחְרִב֙ have I dried H2717
וְאַחְרִב֙ have I dried
Strong's: H2717
Word #: 6 of 11
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
בְּכַף and with the sole H3709
בְּכַף and with the sole
Strong's: H3709
Word #: 7 of 11
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-
פְּעָמַ֔י of my feet H6471
פְּעָמַ֔י of my feet
Strong's: H6471
Word #: 8 of 11
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
כֹּ֖ל H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְאֹרֵ֥י up all the rivers H2975
יְאֹרֵ֥י up all the rivers
Strong's: H2975
Word #: 10 of 11
a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m
מָצֽוֹר׃ of besieged places H4693
מָצֽוֹר׃ of besieged places
Strong's: H4693
Word #: 11 of 11
egypt (as the border of palestine)

Analysis & Commentary

I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.

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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