King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 18:23 Mean?

2 Kings 18:23 in the King James Version says “Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. pledges: or, hostages

2 Kings 18:23 · KJV


Context

21

Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. trustest: Heb. trustest thee

22

But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

23

Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. pledges: or, hostages

24

How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

25

Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

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.

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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 · 18 words
וְעַתָּה֙1 of 18
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הִתְעָ֣רֶב2 of 18

Now therefore I pray thee give pledges

H6148

to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)

נָ֔א3 of 18
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֶת4 of 18
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֲדֹנִ֖י5 of 18

to my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

אֶת6 of 18
H853

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 18

the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֑וּר8 of 18

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

לָ֥תֶת9 of 18

and I will deliver

H5414

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

לְךָ֙10 of 18
H0
אַלְפַּ֣יִם11 of 18

thee two thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

סוּסִ֔ים12 of 18

horses

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

אִם13 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תּוּכַ֕ל14 of 18

if thou be able

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לָ֥תֶת15 of 18

and I will deliver

H5414

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

לְךָ֖16 of 18
H0
רֹֽכְבִ֥ים17 of 18

riders

H7392

to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch

עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃18 of 18
H5921

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


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 18:23 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 18:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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