King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 19:4 Mean?

2 Kings 19:4 in the King James Version says “It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproa... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left. left: Heb. found

2 Kings 19:4 · KJV


Context

2

And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

3

And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. blasphemy: or, provocation

4

It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left. left: Heb. found

5

So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.

6

And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.

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. 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 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 · 27 words
אוּלַ֡י1 of 27

It may be

H194

if not; hence perhaps

שָׁמַ֖ע2 of 27

hath heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ4 of 27

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֵ֣ת׀5 of 27
H853

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

כָּל6 of 27
H3605

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

בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים7 of 27

all the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה8 of 27

of Rabshakeh

H7262

rabshakeh, a babylonian official

אֲשֶׁר֩9 of 27
H834

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

שְׁלָח֨וֹ10 of 27

hath sent

H7971

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

מֶֽלֶךְ11 of 27

whom the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֤וּר׀12 of 27

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

אֲדֹנָיו֙13 of 27

his master

H113

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

לְחָרֵף֙14 of 27

to reproach

H2778

to pull off, i.e., (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e., defame;

אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ15 of 27

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

חַ֔י16 of 27

the living

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְהוֹכִ֙יחַ֙17 of 27

and will reprove

H3198

to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים18 of 27

all the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁ֥ר19 of 27
H834

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

שָׁמַ֖ע20 of 27

hath heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

יְהוָ֣ה21 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ22 of 27

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְנָשָׂ֣אתָ23 of 27

wherefore lift up

H5375

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

תְפִלָּ֔ה24 of 27

thy prayer

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

בְּעַ֥ד25 of 27
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

הַשְּׁאֵרִ֖ית26 of 27

for the remnant

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

הַנִּמְצָאָֽה׃27 of 27

that are left

H4672

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


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 19:4 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 19:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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