King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 19:6 Mean?

2 Kings 19:6 in the King James Version says “And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou ... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Kings 19:6 · KJV


Context

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.

7

Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

8

So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.

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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 · 22 words
אָמַ֣ר1 of 22

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶם֙2 of 22
H0
יְשַֽׁעְיָ֔הוּ3 of 22

And Isaiah

H3470

jeshajah, the name of seven israelites

כֹּ֥ה4 of 22
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר5 of 22

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל6 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲדֹֽנֵיכֶ֑ם7 of 22

to your master

H113

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

כֹּ֣ה׀8 of 22
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר9 of 22

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה10 of 22

the LORD

H3068

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

אַל11 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָא֙12 of 22

Be not afraid

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

מִפְּנֵ֤י13 of 22

of

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַדְּבָרִים֙14 of 22

the words

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 22
H834

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

שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ16 of 22

which thou hast heard

H8085

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

אֲשֶׁ֧ר17 of 22
H834

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

גִּדְּפ֛וּ18 of 22

have blasphemed

H1442

to hack (with words), i.e., revile

נַֽעֲרֵ֥י19 of 22

with which the servants

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

מֶֽלֶךְ20 of 22

of the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֖וּר21 of 22

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

אֹתִֽי׃22 of 22
H853

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


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 19:6 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 19:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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