King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 19:35 Mean?

2 Kings 19:35 in the King James Version says “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 f... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Kings 19:35 · KJV


Context

33

By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.

34

For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

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.

36

So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.

37

And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead. Armenia: Heb. Ararat


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיְהִי֮1 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַּלַּ֣יְלָה2 of 19

And it came to pass that night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

הַהוּא֒3 of 19
H1931

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׀4 of 19

went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מַלְאַ֣ךְ5 of 19

that the angel

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

יְהוָ֗ה6 of 19

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיַּךְ֙7 of 19

and smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בְּמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה8 of 19

in the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

אַשּׁ֔וּר9 of 19

of the Assyrians

H804

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

מֵאָ֛ה10 of 19

an hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים11 of 19

fourscore

H8084

eighty, also eightieth

וַֽחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה12 of 19

and five

H2568

five

אָ֑לֶף13 of 19

thousand

H505

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

וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ14 of 19

and when they arose early

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

בַבֹּ֔קֶר15 of 19

in the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וְהִנֵּ֥ה16 of 19
H2009

lo!

כֻלָּ֖ם17 of 19
H3605

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

פְּגָרִ֥ים18 of 19

corpses

H6297

a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image

מֵתִֽים׃19 of 19

behold they were all dead

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


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 19:35 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 19:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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