2 Kings 19:13

Where [is] the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?

Where is the king {H4428} of Hamath {H2574}, and the king {H4428} of Arpad {H774}, and the king {H4428} of the city {H5892} of Sepharvaim {H5617}, of Hena {H2012}, and Ivah {H5755}?

Where is the king of Hamat? the king of Arpad? the king of the city of S'farvayim, of Hena and 'Ivah?'"

Where are the kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?’”

Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?

Commentary

2 Kings 19:13 is a direct quote from the taunting letter sent by Sennacherib, the powerful king of Assyria, to King Hezekiah of Judah. This verse is part of Sennacherib's strategy to intimidate Hezekiah and Jerusalem into surrender, highlighting the Assyrian king's seemingly unstoppable military might and past conquests.

Context

This verse is situated during a critical period in Judah's history, as the Assyrian Empire was at its zenith, systematically conquering nations across the ancient Near East. Sennacherib had already laid siege to many fortified cities of Judah and was now threatening Jerusalem itself. His letter, delivered to Hezekiah, serves as a psychological weapon, listing the fates of other nations that had resisted Assyria. The rhetorical question, "Where [is] the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?", underscores Sennacherib's belief that no human king or their gods could stand against his army. This letter prompts King Hezekiah to take the letter to the temple and spread it before the Lord in earnest prayer, marking a pivotal moment of faith in the face of overwhelming odds.

Key Themes

  • Human Arrogance vs. Divine Sovereignty: Sennacherib's boastful rhetoric exemplifies human pride and reliance on military strength, directly challenging the living God whom Hezekiah served. This sets the stage for a dramatic demonstration of God's power over seemingly invincible earthly empires.
  • Intimidation and Psychological Warfare: The listing of conquered cities like Hamath, Arpad, and Sepharvaim was a deliberate tactic to instill fear and demoralize the besieged people of Judah, suggesting their inevitable doom.
  • The Futility of Idolatry: Implicitly, Sennacherib is also questioning the power of the gods of these conquered cities, equating Judah's God with them. The narrative ultimately proves the unique power of the God of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Where [is] the king..." is a rhetorical question, a taunt designed to assert Sennacherib's absolute dominance. It implies that these kings and their kingdoms have been utterly obliterated, their power broken, and their gods proven helpless. The specific names of the cities—Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah—are historically verifiable places that had indeed fallen to Assyrian might. This historical accuracy lent weight to Sennacherib's threat, making it all the more terrifying to Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem.

Practical Application

In our own lives, we may face "Sennacheribs"—overwhelming challenges, daunting circumstances, or intimidating voices that boast of their power and question our faith in God. This verse reminds us that:

  • Threats are often designed to instill fear: Recognize when challenges are attempting to undermine your trust in God.
  • God is greater than any earthly power: Just as God delivered Judah from Sennacherib, He is capable of delivering us from our seemingly insurmountable problems. We are called to trust in the name of the Lord our God, not in chariots or horses.
  • Our response matters: Hezekiah's act of taking the threatening letter to God in prayer (as seen in subsequent verses) provides a powerful model for how to respond to intimidation and fear.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 18:34

    Where [are] the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where [are] the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?

  • Jeremiah 39:5

    But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.

  • Numbers 13:21

    ¶ So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.

  • Zechariah 9:2

    And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.

  • Isaiah 11:11

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

  • Jeremiah 49:23

    ¶ Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; [there is] sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.

  • 2 Kings 17:24

    ¶ And the king of Assyria brought [men] from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed [them] in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
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