King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 19:24 Mean?

2 Kings 19:24 in the King James Version says “I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places. ... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

2 Kings 19:24 · King James Version


Context

22

Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

23

By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel. By: Heb. By the hand of tall: Heb. tallness, etc of his Carmel: or, and his fruitful field

24

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

25

Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps. long: or, how I have made it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? should I now bring it to be laid waste, and fenced cities to be ruinous heaps?

26

Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up. of small: Heb. short of hand


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 19 regarding faith vindicated through divine intervention?
  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?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
אֲנִ֣י1 of 11
H589

i

קַ֔רְתִּי2 of 11

I have digged

H6979

to trench; by implication, to throw forth; to wall up, whether literal (to build a wall) or figurative (to estop)

וְשָׁתִ֖יתִי3 of 11

and drunk

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

מַ֣יִם4 of 11

waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

זָרִ֑ים5 of 11

strange

H2114

to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery

וְאַחְרִב֙6 of 11

have I dried

H2717

to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill

בְּכַף7 of 11

and with the sole

H3709

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-

פְּעָמַ֔י8 of 11

of my feet

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

כֹּ֖ל9 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְאֹרֵ֥י10 of 11

up all the rivers

H2975

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׃11 of 11

of besieged places

H4693

egypt (as the border of palestine)


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 19:24 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 19:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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