2 Kings 19:35
And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִי֮
H1961
וַיְהִי֮
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה
And it came to pass that night
H3915
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה
And it came to pass that night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
הַהוּא֒
H1931
הַהוּא֒
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 19
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
וַיֵּצֵ֣א׀
went out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֣א׀
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
4 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מַלְאַ֣ךְ
that the angel
H4397
מַלְאַ֣ךְ
that the angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
5 of 19
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיַּךְ֙
and smote
H5221
וַיַּךְ֙
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
7 of 19
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בְּמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
in the camp
H4264
בְּמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
in the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
8 of 19
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of the Assyrians
H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of the Assyrians
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
9 of 19
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
מֵאָ֛ה
an hundred
H3967
מֵאָ֛ה
an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
10 of 19
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
אָ֑לֶף
thousand
H505
אָ֑לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
13 of 19
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ
and when they arose early
H7925
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ
and when they arose early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
14 of 19
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
בַבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
H1242
בַבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
כֻלָּ֖ם
H3605
כֻלָּ֖ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
2 Samuel 24:16And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.Isaiah 37:36Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.Isaiah 10:33Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.Acts 12:23And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.Hosea 1:7But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.Daniel 5:30In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
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
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 19 regarding faith vindicated through divine intervention?
- 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 it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
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. 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.