2 Kings 19 35

2 Kings 19:35 kjv

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 nkjv

And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses?all dead.

2 Kings 19:35 niv

That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning?there were all the dead bodies!

2 Kings 19:35 esv

And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.

2 Kings 19:35 nlt

That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere.

2 Kings 19 verses

2 Kings 19 35 Meaning

The verse describes a pivotal event where the Almighty God intervened supernaturally and decisively to deliver His people, Judah, from the besieging Assyrian army led by Sennacherib. During the night, the Angel of the Lord went forth and brought about the death of an astounding one hundred eighty-five thousand Assyrian soldiers. Upon waking in the morning, the remaining Assyrians and the people of Jerusalem discovered the vast multitude of deceased bodies, clearly signifying a divine, miraculous judgment that utterly crippled the enemy without human combat.

2 Kings 19 35 Context

Chapter 19 of 2 Kings details the crisis faced by King Hezekiah and Jerusalem when the powerful Assyrian King Sennacherib laid siege to the city. Sennacherib sent a letter full of taunts and blasphemies, challenging the power of Yahweh by comparing Him to the defeated gods of other nations. This dire situation pushed Hezekiah into humble and fervent prayer, where he brought Sennacherib's letter before the Lord and appealed for God's glory and the deliverance of Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah then delivered God's word, assuring Hezekiah that the Lord had heard his prayer and would defend Jerusalem, explicitly stating that Sennacherib would not even shoot an arrow into the city, but would return to his own land. Verse 35 serves as the miraculous fulfillment of this divine promise, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over mighty empires and His unfailing faithfulness to His people when they turn to Him. Historically, this event took place in 701 BC during Sennacherib's third campaign.

2 Kings 19 35 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: Hebrew: wa-yehi (וַיְהִי) - a common narrative transition indicating an event or development in time.
• that night: Hebrew: ba-laylah ha-hu (בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא) - emphasizes the specific, immediate timing and the unexpected, sudden nature of the divine intervention. God acts in His chosen moment, often unseen.
• the angel of the Lord: Hebrew: mal'akh YHWH (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה) - this title frequently refers to a specific divine messenger, often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or God Himself acting directly. It signifies a unique, potent divine agent, distinct from a common angel, acting with supreme authority. This underlines that the defeat was entirely God's work.
• went out: Hebrew: vay-yetze (וַיֵּצֵא) - implies a purposeful, targeted mission. The angel's action was directed precisely at the Assyrian camp.
• and struck down: Hebrew: wa-yak (וַיַּךְ) - from the root nakah (נָכָה), meaning to smite, strike, or hit. It conveys decisive, overwhelming, and destructive power. It’s an act of divine judgment.
• 185,000: Hebrew: me'ah wa-chamishshim va-shamoneh eleph (מֵאָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים וּשְׁמֹנֶה אֶלֶף) - the exact, massive numerical casualty is astounding. This precision underscores the miraculous and undeniable nature of the event, leaving no doubt that it was not a random misfortune or human battle. It defies any natural explanation.
• in the camp of the Assyrians: Hebrew: b'machaneh Ashshur (בְּמַחֲנֵה אַשּׁוּר) - specifies the location of the judgment. The very strength and terror of the mighty Assyrian army, embodied in their camp, became the scene of their divine destruction. This contrasts their human might with God's divine power.
• And when people arose early in the morning: Hebrew: wa-yashkimu ba-boker (וַיַּשְׁכִּימוּ בַּבֹּקֶר) - implies an expectation of a normal day, perhaps renewed terror. This highlights the shock and sudden discovery upon daylight, emphasizing the swift, unseen work of the night.
• behold: Hebrew: w'hineh (וְהִנֵּה) - an interjection calling attention to a surprising or startling observation. It emphasizes the immediate, visual proof of God's act.
• all were dead bodies: Hebrew: kul-lam p’garim metim (כֻּלָּם פְּגָרִים מֵתִים) - "all of them corpses (of) dead." The repetition reinforces the totality of the devastation. The entire vast army, in the affected area, was rendered utterly lifeless, a stark witness to God’s absolute power over life and death. No wounded, no battle, just complete lifelessness.

• "that night...the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000": This phrase encapsulates the direct, sudden, and devastating nature of God's supernatural intervention. It removes any possibility of human agency and firmly places the act in the realm of the divine. The time of night adds to the mysterious and unexplainable character of the event from a human perspective.
• "in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, all were dead bodies.": This phrase juxtaposes the previously fearsome military might of the Assyrians with their complete and instantaneous annihilation. It also highlights the shocking discovery made by both the survivors in the Assyrian camp and the relieved inhabitants of Jerusalem, providing undeniable proof of God's hand at work. The horror and reality of seeing "all" of such a massive force as "dead bodies" underscore the complete triumph of God.

2 Kings 19 35 Bonus section

• Literary Foreshadowing: The phrase "Angel of the Lord" and His role in executing divine judgment or deliverance finds echoes throughout the Old Testament (e.g., in the plagues on Egypt, the stopping of Balaam, the judgment against David's census). This event serves as a grand culmination of this specific manifestation of God's active presence and power.
• Historical Validation (from external sources): While secular Assyrian accounts, like Sennacherib's own prism inscriptions, boast about his campaigns and trapping Hezekiah in Jerusalem "like a bird in a cage," they conspicuously avoid any mention of a capture of Jerusalem or a grand victory, and crucially, they record a sudden return to Nineveh without explanation. This biblical account provides the explanation for that otherwise unexplained retreat and lack of triumph over Jerusalem, thus implicitly supporting the biblical narrative of a divine intervention that compelled his return. No ancient king would document such a massive defeat of their forces.
• Theological Implication for Israel: This event re-affirmed Yahweh's unique identity as the living God, distinct from the impotent idols of the nations. It served to solidify Israel's identity and reliance on Him, especially after a period of widespread idolatry in the northern kingdom.
• The Power of Prayer: Hezekiah's prayer, marked by humility and a concern for God's honor above his own survival, preceded this extraordinary intervention. It underscores that God hears and answers the desperate, sincere cries of His faithful servants, particularly when they prioritize His glory.

2 Kings 19 35 Commentary

This verse stands as a profound testament to God's omnipotence, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His active intervention in human history. It demonstrates that God needs no human army or strategy to defend His people; a single angelic agent acting by His command can achieve what entire nations cannot. The annihilation of 185,000 Assyrians in one night, without any direct human conflict, served as a dramatic polemic against the pagan gods and the prevailing notion that military strength determines the outcome of wars. It showcased that Yahweh alone is the sovereign Lord, who humbles the proud and delivers those who trust in Him. This miracle was an undeniable confirmation of Isaiah's prophecy and Hezekiah's fervent prayer, affirming that God hears and responds, and that His Word is truth. It emphasizes that ultimate security and victory come not from human might or alliances, but from absolute trust in God. This account reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming and seemingly impossible threats, God remains in control and has the power to deliver His people. It is a powerful illustration of relying solely on God in the face of an adversary who seemingly has all the advantages.