2 Kings 18 30

2 Kings 18:30 kjv

Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.

2 Kings 18:30 nkjv

nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, "The LORD will surely deliver us; this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria." '

2 Kings 18:30 niv

Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, 'The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.'

2 Kings 18:30 esv

Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD by saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.'

2 Kings 18:30 nlt

Don't let him fool you into trusting in the LORD by saying, 'The LORD will surely rescue us. This city will never fall into the hands of the Assyrian king!'

2 Kings 18 verses

2 Kings 18 30 Meaning

2 Kings 18:30 contains the direct words of the Assyrian Rabshakeh, a high-ranking official, spoken to the people of Jerusalem during Sennacherib's siege. The verse reveals an attempt to psychologically manipulate the Judeans by discrediting their king, Hezekiah, and more importantly, by undermining their faith in the covenant God, the LORD (YHWH). The Rabshakeh warns the people not to be swayed by Hezekiah's assertion that YHWH will miraculously deliver them and prevent Jerusalem from falling into Assyrian hands. It encapsulates a profound theological challenge to God's power and faithfulness.

2 Kings 18 30 Context

This verse is part of the Rabshakeh's speech (2 Kings 18:19-35), delivered at the walls of Jerusalem during the Assyrian siege under King Sennacherib. Following Hezekiah's initial surrender and payment of tribute, Sennacherib nevertheless sent a massive army to capture Jerusalem. The Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian general and diplomat, addresses the people in Hebrew, aiming to bypass King Hezekiah's leadership and induce a surrender through psychological warfare. He systematically dismantles all sources of hope for the Judeans: their alliance with Egypt, their reliance on fortified defenses, and critically, their trust in the LORD. This particular verse is a direct assault on the spiritual core of Hezekiah's message to his people—that YHWH would intervene. It reflects Assyria's worldview, where gods were defeated along with their nations, directly challenging the unique power of YHWH.

2 Kings 18 30 Word analysis

• Neither let Hezekiah persuade you

  • Neither let (אַל) - A strong negative prohibition, "do not."
  • Hezekiah (חִזְקִיָּהוּ - Chizqiyyahu): Means "The LORD strengthens" or "My strength is YHWH." This very name stood in stark contrast to Rabshakeh's message of weakness. The Rabshakeh attempts to discredit the human vessel through whom God's message came.
  • persuade (הִסֵּא - hisseh from root נשׂא - nasha): To beguile, entice, mislead, deceive, or lead astray. The Rabshakeh presents Hezekiah's promise as a trick or a delusion, suggesting Hezekiah's message is not reliable truth but a dangerous persuasion leading to destruction. This tactic attempts to turn reliance on Hezekiah into a deceptive act.

• to trust in the LORD

  • to trust (לָבֶטַח - lavetaḥ from root בָּטַח - bataḥ): To rely upon, to have confidence, to feel secure, to cling to. This term denotes a deep sense of security and reliance based on certainty, contrasting sharply with the fear Rabshakeh seeks to instill.
  • the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, uniquely revealing His faithfulness, power, and relationship with Israel. This is the very object of their trust and the ultimate target of the Rabshakeh's blasphemy. The Assyrian knew enough about Judah's God to attack Him directly.

• saying, The LORD will surely deliver us

  • saying (לֵאמֹר - lĕmor): Introducing the specific message Hezekiah would give.
  • The LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): Reiteration of God's name, confirming this is indeed the specific promise.
  • surely deliver (הַצֵּל יַצִּילֵנוּ - hatstsel yattzilenu): A strong emphasis, using the infinitive absolute before the verb "to deliver" (natsal). This linguistic construct expresses certainty and absolute assurance: "He will indeed deliver us," "He will surely, truly deliver." This conveys the robust conviction in God's ability and intention to rescue His people.
  • us (אוֹתָנוּ - otanú): The people of Jerusalem, facing annihilation.

• and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.

  • and this city (וְהָעִיר הַזֹּאת - vəha'ir hazzo't): Specific reference to Jerusalem, emphasizing its perceived vulnerability.
  • shall not be delivered (לֹא תִנָּתֵן - lo tinnaten): A clear, negative declaration that the city will not be "given" or "handed over." The verb form suggests a passive delivery, implying the city's fate being decided by external powers. The Rabshakeh challenges this promise directly.
  • into the hand of (בְּיַד - bəyad): Indicating complete control and subjugation. To fall into "the hand" signifies utter defeat and captivity.
  • the king of Assyria (מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר - melekh Ashshur): Sennacherib, the supreme military and political power of the time. The Rabshakeh represents this tangible, earthly power against the invisible, spiritual power of YHWH.

2 Kings 18 30 Bonus section

The Rabshakeh's speech serves as an example of deceptive rhetoric common throughout Scripture and human history, where opponents of God attempt to subvert faith by distorting truth, presenting half-truths, or appealing to logical outcomes based on past human experiences rather than divine principles. By directly attacking the prophecy of deliverance, Rabshakeh unwittingly pushed Hezekiah and Judah further into the very trust he sought to destroy, culminating in one of the most remarkable acts of divine intervention in Israel's history (2 Kings 19:35). The confidence of the Rabshakeh was ultimately an act of blasphemy that demanded God's direct response, transforming a military siege into a display of divine power. This account became a foundational narrative for God's protection of His people, especially in Zion.

2 Kings 18 30 Commentary

2 Kings 18:30 is a pivotal moment showcasing the Assyrian king's spiritual arrogance confronting the unwavering faith of Judah's King Hezekiah. The Rabshakeh, through psychological warfare, seeks to break Jerusalem's spirit by undermining two critical pillars: their earthly leader, Hezekiah, and their divine protector, YHWH. He frames Hezekiah's call to trust God not as truth, but as deceptive persuasion designed to doom them. The core of his attack is on the reliability of God's covenant promises, especially concerning Jerusalem's preservation, arguing that YHWH is no different from the failed gods of other conquered nations. This verbal assault is not merely a military tactic; it's a theological challenge to YHWH's sovereignty and a pragmatic invitation to abandon faith for "realism" – submission. Yet, by making this direct challenge, the Rabshakeh elevates the conflict to a cosmic struggle between the supreme Assyrian power (with its gods) and YHWH, setting the stage for YHWH's dramatic intervention to vindicate His name and promises. It ultimately highlights that true deliverance comes not from human strategy or strength, but from complete reliance on God's Word.

• Practical Usage:
  • When faced with overwhelming worldly opposition, remember that attempts to discredit faith in God are often strategies to weaken resolve.
  • In moments of fear, discerning between the world's "realistic" counsel and God's promises is crucial for spiritual perseverance.
  • Never let external voices persuade you that God is incapable of delivering on His sure word, even when odds seem impossible.