And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, [which were] the work of the hands of man.
And they spake {H1696} against {H5921} the God {H430} of Jerusalem {H3389}, as against the gods {H430} of the people {H5971} of the earth {H776}, which were the work {H4639} of the hands {H3027} of man {H120}.
They spoke about the God of Yerushalayim in the same way as about the gods of the other peoples of the earth, which are merely human artifacts.
They spoke against the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth—the work of human hands.
And they spake of the God of Jerusalem, as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men’s hands.
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Isaiah 2:8
Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: -
2 Kings 19:18
And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. -
Psalms 135:15
¶ The idols of the heathen [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands. -
Psalms 135:18
They that make them are like unto them: [so is] every one that trusteth in them. -
Isaiah 14:32
What shall [one] then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. -
Jeremiah 10:9
Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple [is] their clothing: they [are] all the work of cunning [men]. -
Psalms 78:68
But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
2 Chronicles 32:19 records the profound blasphemy of the Assyrian forces against the one true God during their siege of Jerusalem under King Hezekiah. This verse captures the arrogant and misguided comparison made by Sennacherib's representatives, equating the God of Israel with the powerless, man-made deities of conquered nations.
Historical and Cultural Context
This verse is set during a critical period in Judah's history, around 701 BC. King Hezekiah had initiated significant religious reforms, seeking to restore the worship of the Lord in Jerusalem. However, this period was also marked by the formidable threat of the Assyrian Empire, led by King Sennacherib, who had already conquered much of the ancient Near East. Sennacherib's army laid siege to Jerusalem, and his field commander, Rabshakeh, engaged in psychological warfare, attempting to demoralize the city's inhabitants. The Assyrians boasted of their victories over other nations and their gods, presuming that Jerusalem's God would be no different from the idols they had easily overcome. This verse highlights their ultimate error: failing to distinguish between the Creator of the universe and the lifeless creations of human hands.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "work of the hands of man" (Hebrew: ma'aseh yedei adam) is a powerful descriptor used throughout the Old Testament to emphasize the futility and powerlessness of idols. It directly contrasts the limited, created nature of false gods with the infinite, uncreated nature of the Lord God. The Assyrians' error stemmed from their inability to grasp this fundamental difference, viewing Yahweh as just another regional deity susceptible to human power.
Practical Application
This verse serves as a timeless reminder that humanity often attempts to reduce God to its own limited understanding or to compare Him with worldly powers, ideologies, or even self-made "gods" of success, wealth, or comfort. True faith requires recognizing God's absolute uniqueness and sovereignty, refusing to equate Him with anything that is a "work of the hands of man." When faced with challenges or ridicule for our faith, we are called to trust in the living God, just as King Hezekiah encouraged his people, knowing that His power far transcends any earthly threat or human construction.