2 Kings 19:16

KJV

LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.

KJV (with Strong's)

LORD {H3068}, bow down {H5186} thine ear {H241}, and hear {H8085}: open {H6491}, LORD {H3068}, thine eyes {H5869}, and see {H7200}: and hear {H8085} the words {H1697} of Sennacherib {H5576}, which hath sent {H7971} him to reproach {H2778} the living {H2416} God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Turn your ear, ADONAI, and hear! Open your eyes, ADONAI, and see! Hear the words that Sancheriv sent to taunt the living God.

Berean Standard Bible

Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.

American Standard Version

Incline thine ear, O Jehovah, and hear; open thine eyes, O Jehovah, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, wherewith he hath sent him to defy the living God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Kings 19:16, King Hezekiah, facing the overwhelming Assyrian threat and the blasphemous taunts of Sennacherib, presents a fervent prayer to the LORD. He appeals to God's active perception and intervention, using anthropomorphic language to implore Him to "bow down thine ear" and "open thine eyes." The core of his plea is for God to heed the words of Sennacherib, which directly "reproach the living God," thereby challenging God's very nature and sovereignty and calling for divine vindication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of King Hezekiah's desperate and faith-filled prayer found in [2 Kings 19:14-19](/2_kings/19-14 "2 Kings 19:14-19 - Hezekiah's Prayer"). Immediately preceding this, Hezekiah has received a threatening and blasphemous letter from King Sennacherib of Assyria, boasting of his conquests and, more critically, mocking the God of Judah. Hezekiah's response is not to rally troops or seek political alliances, but to go to the temple, spread the letter before the LORD, and appeal directly to God. This prayer follows the prophet Isaiah's encouragement in [2 Kings 19:6-7](/2_kings/19-6 "2 Kings 19:6-7 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Deliverance"), promising divine intervention against Sennacherib. The prayer itself serves as a profound demonstration of Hezekiah's trust in God's sovereignty and a plea for God to act for the sake of His own name and reputation, setting the stage for the miraculous deliverance that follows in [2 Kings 19:35-36](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35-36 - The Angel of the LORD Strikes the Assyrian Army").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 2 Kings 19 unfold during the late 8th century BCE, a period dominated by the expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Sennacherib, one of Assyria's most formidable kings, had already devastated much of Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem (c. 701 BCE). The Assyrians were renowned for their brutal military tactics, psychological warfare, and the systematic deportation of conquered peoples. Their gods were seen as powerful deities who granted them victory, and they expected the gods of conquered nations to be subservient or impotent. Sennacherib's taunts in [2 Kings 18:28-35](/2_kings/18-28 "2 Kings 18:28-35 - Rabshakeh's Taunts") were not mere insults but a deliberate attempt to undermine the faith of Judah in their God, placing Him on par with the defeated idols of other nations. Hezekiah's prayer, therefore, is not just a personal plea but a theological confrontation with the prevailing imperial ideology that denied the uniqueness and power of Israel's God.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Kings and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **divine sovereignty and intervention**, emphasizing God's ultimate control over human history and His readiness to act on behalf of His people when His honor is challenged. Secondly, it underscores the importance of **prayer as a primary response to crisis**, illustrating a leader's humble dependence on God rather than human might. Hezekiah's act of spreading the letter before the LORD demonstrates a profound trust in God's active engagement with human affairs, echoing similar acts of faith seen in figures like Moses and David. Thirdly, the phrase "the living God" introduces a crucial theme of **God's unique nature and power** in contrast to the lifeless idols of the nations. This distinction is central to Israelite theology, asserting that the LORD is not merely one god among many, but the only true, active, and powerful God, capable of hearing, seeing, and delivering, as further expounded in passages like [Psalm 115](/psalms/115 "Psalm 115 - The Futility of Idols"). Finally, the verse powerfully articulates the theme of **God's honor and reputation**, showing that Hezekiah understood the Assyrian taunts as a direct affront to God's name, making the ensuing conflict God's battle to fight for His own glory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bow down thine ear (אָזַן, _ʾāzan_):** This anthropomorphic idiom, literally "stretch out the ear," signifies an intense act of listening, paying close attention, or inclining oneself to hear. It implies a deliberate, attentive posture from God, not merely passive hearing. Hezekiah is not just asking God to hear generally, but to bend down, as it were, to specifically and intimately attend to his desperate plea and the blasphemous words of Sennacherib. It conveys a sense of urgency and a desire for God's personal, focused engagement with the situation.
* **Reproach (חָרַף, _ḥārap_):** This verb means "to taunt, revile, insult, defy, or blaspheme." It carries a strong connotation of public shaming and contempt. Sennacherib's words were not just a military threat but a direct, scornful challenge to the very existence and power of the God of Israel. Hezekiah recognizes that this is an attack on God's honor and character, making the situation not merely a political or military crisis for Judah, but a theological crisis for God's reputation among the nations.
* **Living God (אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים, _ʾĕlōhîm ḥayyîm_):** This is a profound theological declaration. It contrasts the LORD with the lifeless, impotent idols worshipped by other nations, which "have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not" ([Psalm 115:5](/psalms/115-5 "Psalm 115:5 - The Impotence of Idols")). The phrase emphasizes God's active, dynamic, and existing nature. He is not a distant, passive, or dead deity, but one who is intimately involved in creation and human affairs, capable of hearing, seeing, speaking, and acting decisively. Hezekiah's appeal hinges on this truth: he is praying to a God who is truly alive and powerful enough to intervene.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear:"** Hezekiah begins with a direct, personal address to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The request to "bow down thine ear" is a deeply personal and urgent plea for God to incline Himself and listen intently to the specific crisis at hand. It's an appeal for divine attentiveness, recognizing that God's hearing is not passive but leads to active engagement.
* **"open, LORD, thine eyes, and see:"** This parallel plea reinforces the previous one, extending the request for divine perception from hearing to seeing. Hezekiah implores God to actively observe the dire circumstances and the blasphemous actions of Sennacherib. It's a call for God to be fully aware of the visual evidence of the Assyrian threat and their defiance, implying that full awareness will lead to appropriate action.
* **"and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God."** This final clause reveals the core motivation for Hezekiah's urgent prayer. He is not merely asking God to save Judah from military defeat, but to respond to the direct insult and blasphemy against His own divine name and nature. Sennacherib's words are a "reproach" – a public taunt and defiance – aimed at "the living God," contrasting Him with the lifeless idols. Hezekiah understands that this is God's battle to fight for His own honor and vindication.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human physical characteristics and actions (ears, eyes, bowing, opening, hearing, seeing) to God. This is not meant to limit God to human form but to make His active engagement and perception comprehensible to human understanding, emphasizing His attentiveness and awareness. The structure also employs **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, in the repeated structure of "bow down thine ear, and hear" and "open, LORD, thine eyes, and see." This repetition intensifies the plea, underscoring the urgency and comprehensive nature of Hezekiah's request for God's full perception. The prayer is a direct **Apostrophe** or direct address to God, creating an intimate and personal tone despite the cosmic stakes. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Appeal**, not merely informing God of the situation (as if He didn't know) but appealing to His character, His honor, and His covenant faithfulness, compelling Him to act.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's prayer in 2 Kings 19:16 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God and the appropriate human response to overwhelming adversity. It affirms God's omniscience and omnipotence, asserting that He is not only aware of all things but also capable of acting decisively in history. The king's primary concern is not merely Judah's survival, but the vindication of God's name against the taunts of a pagan king. This highlights the biblical principle that God's glory is paramount, and He will defend His honor when it is challenged. The contrast between "the living God" and the idols of the nations underscores the uniqueness of Yahweh, who alone is active, powerful, and responsive to the cries of His people. This prayer serves as a model for believers, demonstrating that in times of crisis, our appeal should be to God's character and His commitment to His own glory, trusting that His active presence will lead to deliverance.

* [Psalm 115:3-8](/psalms/115-3 "Psalm 115:3-8 - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.")
* [Isaiah 37:17](/isaiah/37-17 "Isaiah 37:17 - Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see.")
* [Jeremiah 10:10](/jeremiah/10-10 "Jeremiah 10:10 - But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's prayer provides a timeless blueprint for how believers should approach God in moments of profound crisis. When faced with situations that seem insurmountable, whether personal challenges, societal pressures, or direct attacks on our faith, our first and most potent response should be earnest, humble prayer. Like Hezekiah, we are invited to lay our burdens before the LORD, confident that He is the "living God" who truly sees and hears. This passage reminds us that our prayers are not merely requests for relief, but also appeals to God's character and His commitment to His own glory. When the world mocks or challenges the truth of God, we can appeal to Him to act for the vindication of His name, trusting that He is fully capable of intervening and demonstrating His power. This shifts our focus from our own weakness to God's infinite strength, transforming our anxiety into an opportunity for Him to display His faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "letters" or overwhelming threats are you spreading before the LORD today, and how does Hezekiah's example encourage you to pray with greater faith?**
* **In what ways might the "living God" be "reproached" in our world today, and how can your prayers contribute to the vindication of His name?**
* **How does understanding God as the "living God" (in contrast to dead idols or passive deities) impact your confidence in His ability to hear and act on your behalf?**

### FAQ
**Why does Hezekiah use anthropomorphic language ("bow down thine ear," "open thine eyes") when praying to God?**

Answer: Hezekiah uses anthropomorphic language not because he believes God literally has physical ears and eyes, but to convey the intensity and urgency of his plea in terms a human can grasp. This imagery emphasizes God's active attentiveness and perception. When Hezekiah asks God to "bow down His ear" and "open His eyes," he is imploring God to actively and personally engage with the situation, to listen intently to the blasphemous words of Sennacherib, and to observe the dire circumstances of Judah. It's a plea for God to be fully aware and to respond with deliberate action, highlighting God's intimate involvement in human affairs, in contrast to the passive, unseeing, and unhearing idols of the nations (compare [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - Idols have mouths but cannot speak")).

**What is the significance of Hezekiah referring to God as "the living God"?**

Answer: The phrase "the living God" is profoundly significant, especially in the context of Sennacherib's taunts. It directly contrasts the LORD with the lifeless, impotent idols of the nations that Assyria had conquered. Sennacherib had mocked Hezekiah's trust in the LORD, suggesting that Judah's God was no more capable of delivering them than the gods of Hamath or Arpad ([2 Kings 18:33-34](/2_kings/18-33 "2 Kings 18:33-34 - Rabshakeh's Challenge to God")). By calling Yahweh "the living God," Hezekiah asserts that Israel's God is uniquely active, dynamic, and truly existent, unlike the inert, man-made deities. This declaration emphasizes God's power to hear, see, speak, and intervene decisively in history, making Him fundamentally different from and superior to all other supposed gods. It's a foundational theological truth that underpins Hezekiah's faith and appeal for divine intervention (see also [Jeremiah 10:10](/jeremiah/10-10 "Jeremiah 10:10 - The LORD is the true God, the living God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's desperate appeal to the "living God" who hears and sees finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The very anthropomorphic language of God "bowing down His ear" and "opening His eyes" to human suffering and blasphemy is perfectly embodied in the Incarnation, where God Himself became flesh and dwelt among us, experiencing human pain and hearing human cries firsthand ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh")). Jesus is the ultimate "living God" who not only sees and hears, but actively intervenes, fulfilling the Father's will and demonstrating divine power over sin, sickness, and death. Sennacherib's reproach against the living God foreshadows the ultimate reproach and blasphemy directed against God in the person of Christ, who was mocked, reviled, and crucified. Yet, it was through this ultimate act of "reproach" that God's name was supremely vindicated. Christ, as the Lamb of God, took away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through His resurrection, He demonstrated that He is indeed the "living One" who holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - I am the Living One")). Hezekiah's prayer for God to act for His own glory is answered in Christ's perfect obedience and sacrifice, which brought ultimate glory to the Father and established His eternal kingdom, proving that our God is truly alive and eternally sovereign.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 6:40

Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and [let] thine ears [be] attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place.

2 Kings 19:4

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.

Psalms 31:2

Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

Isaiah 37:17

Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.

1 Kings 8:29

That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, [even] toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

Daniel 9:18

O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

Hebrews 11:26

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.