2 Kings 19:23

By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, [and into] the forest of his Carmel.

By {H3027} thy messengers {H4397} thou hast reproached {H2778} the Lord {H136}, and hast said {H559}, With the multitude {H7230} of my chariots {H7393}{H7393} I am come up {H5927} to the height {H4791} of the mountains {H2022}, to the sides {H3411} of Lebanon {H3844}, and will cut down {H3772} the tall {H6967} cedar trees {H730} thereof, and the choice {H4004} fir trees {H1265} thereof: and I will enter {H935} into the lodgings {H4411} of his borders {H7093}, and into the forest {H3293} of his Carmel {H3760}.

"'Through your messengers you taunted Adonai. You said, "With my many chariots I have ascended the mountain heights even in the far reaches of the L'vanon. I cut down its tall cedars and its best cypresses. I reached its remotest corners and its best forests.

Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: โ€œWith my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests.

By thy messengers thou hast defied the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir-trees thereof; and I will enter into his farthest lodging-place, the forest of his fruitful field.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Kings 19:23

This verse is a powerful declaration from the Lord, spoken through the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah, quoting the arrogant boasts of Sennacherib, King of Assyria. It reveals God's perfect knowledge of human pride and His impending judgment upon it.

Context

King Hezekiah of Judah was facing an overwhelming military threat from the mighty Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib. Sennacherib had already conquered many cities in Judah and was now directly threatening Jerusalem. He sent blasphemous letters and messengers to Hezekiah, openly mocking the Lord and challenging His ability to deliver Judah, claiming that no god had been able to withstand Assyria's might. Deeply distressed, Hezekiah took these letters to the temple and spread them before the Lord, praying for divine intervention (see 2 Kings 19:14-19). In response, God sends Isaiah to deliver a message of assurance and judgment against Sennacherib. Verse 23 is part of God's direct quotation of Sennacherib's prideful words, exposing the Assyrian king's mindset before revealing His own sovereign power (see 2 Kings 19:20-34).

Key Themes

  • Human Arrogance vs. Divine Sovereignty: Sennacherib's words are a clear example of extreme human pride and self-exaltation. He boasts of his military might ("multitude of my chariots") and his ability to conquer any terrain ("height of the mountains," "sides of Lebanon," "forest of his Carmel"). This stands in stark contrast to God's absolute sovereignty, which is about to be demonstrated. The passage underscores that human power, no matter how great, is always subject to God's ultimate control.
  • Blasphemy and Reproach against God: The core accusation is that Sennacherib has "reproached the Lord." His boasts are not merely about military conquest but a direct insult to the God of Israel, implying that Yahweh is no different from the vanquished gods of other nations. This direct challenge to God's honor provokes His righteous anger.
  • Symbolism of Conquered Lands: Lebanon was renowned for its majestic cedar and fir trees, which symbolized strength, beauty, and national pride (e.g., Psalm 92:12). Carmel was celebrated for its fertility and lush forests. By claiming he would cut down these trees and enter their "lodgings" and "forests," Sennacherib expresses his intent to utterly dominate and exploit the choicest parts of the land, leaving nothing untouched.
  • God's Omniscience: The Lord quotes Sennacherib's exact words, even his secret thoughts and intentions, demonstrating His perfect knowledge of all things, including the hearts of kings.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "reproached" (ื—ึธืจึทืค - charaph) carries a strong connotation of insult, scorn, or blasphemy. It signifies a direct affront to someone's honor or dignity, which is precisely what Sennacherib did against the Lord. The phrase "forest of his Carmel" (ื›ืจืžืœ - Karmel) refers to the fertile, forested region of Mount Carmel, emphasizing the lushness and strategic value of the land Sennacherib boasted of conquering.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that human pride and self-reliance, especially when they lead to blasphemy or disregard for God, will ultimately face divine opposition. It encourages humility and trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with overwhelming odds. Just as God heard and responded to Sennacherib's boasts, He sees and knows the heart of every individual. This passage offers comfort that God is aware of every challenge and insult directed against His name and His people, and He will act in His perfect timing to uphold His honor and deliver His own. It echoes the timeless truth that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 20:7

    Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

  • 2 Kings 18:17

    ยถ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which [is] in the highway of the fuller's field.

  • Isaiah 10:18

    And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth.

  • 2 Kings 18:23

    Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

  • Isaiah 10:7

    Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but [it is] in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

  • Isaiah 10:11

    Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?

  • Isaiah 37:24

    By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, [and] the forest of his Carmel.
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