King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 18:14 Mean?

2 Kings 18:14 in the King James Version says “And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which t... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

2 Kings 18:14 · KJV


Context

12

Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.

13

Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. Sennacherib: Heb. Sanherib

14

And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

15

And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house.

16

At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. it: Heb. them


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 18 regarding faithful reformation faces external pressure?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח1 of 31

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

חִזְקִיָּ֣ה2 of 31

And Hezekiah

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ3 of 31

And the king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֗ה4 of 31

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֶל5 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶֽלֶךְ6 of 31

And the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֜וּר7 of 31

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

לָכִ֨ישָׁה׀8 of 31

to Lachish

H3923

lakish, a place in palestine

לֵאמֹ֤ר׀9 of 31

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חָטָ֙אתִי֙10 of 31

I have offended

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

שׁ֣וּב11 of 31

return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מֵֽעָלַ֔י12 of 31
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֵ֛ת13 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁר14 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּתֵּ֥ן15 of 31

from me that which thou puttest

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עָלַ֖י16 of 31
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶשָּׂ֑א17 of 31

on me will I bear

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

וַיָּ֨שֶׂם18 of 31

appointed

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

מֶֽלֶךְ19 of 31

And the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֜וּר20 of 31

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

עַל21 of 31
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חִזְקִיָּ֣ה22 of 31

And Hezekiah

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ23 of 31

And the king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֗ה24 of 31

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

שְׁלֹ֤שׁ25 of 31

three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

מֵאוֹת֙26 of 31

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

כִּכַּ֥ר27 of 31

talents

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

כֶּ֔סֶף28 of 31

of silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים29 of 31

and thirty

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

כִּכַּ֥ר30 of 31

talents

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

זָהָֽב׃31 of 31

of gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 18:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 18:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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