2 Kings Chapter 19 · Verse 8

Authorized King James Version

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So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּ֙שָׁב֙ returned H7725
וַיָּ֙שָׁב֙ returned
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
רַבְשָׁקֵ֔ה So Rabshakeh H7262
רַבְשָׁקֵ֔ה So Rabshakeh
Strong's: H7262
Word #: 2 of 14
rabshakeh, a babylonian official
וַיִּמְצָא֙ and found H4672
וַיִּמְצָא֙ and found
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 3 of 14
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
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֶ֣לֶךְ the king H4428
מֶ֣לֶךְ the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 5 of 14
a king
אַשּׁ֔וּר of Assyria H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר of Assyria
Strong's: H804
Word #: 6 of 14
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
נִלְחָ֖ם warring H3898
נִלְחָ֖ם warring
Strong's: H3898
Word #: 7 of 14
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִבְנָ֑ה against Libnah H3841
לִבְנָ֑ה against Libnah
Strong's: H3841
Word #: 9 of 14
libnah, a place in the desert and one in palestine
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 10 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁמַ֔ע for he had heard H8085
שָׁמַ֔ע for he had heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 11 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 12 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָסַ֖ע that he was departed H5265
נָסַ֖ע that he was departed
Strong's: H5265
Word #: 13 of 14
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
מִלָּכִֽישׁ׃ from Lachish H3923
מִלָּכִֽישׁ׃ from Lachish
Strong's: H3923
Word #: 14 of 14
lakish, a place in palestine

Analysis & Commentary

So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 19: Faith vindicated through divine intervention. 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.

Questions for Reflection