2 Kings 19:28

KJV

Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because thy rage {H7264} against me and thy tumult {H7600} is come up {H5927} into mine ears {H241}, therefore I will put {H7760} my hook {H2397} in thy nose {H639}, and my bridle {H4964} in thy lips {H8193}, and I will turn thee back {H7725} by the way {H1870} by which thou camest {H935}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And because of your rage against me, because of your pride that has reached my ears, I am putting my hook in your nose and my bridle on your lips; and I will make you return by the way on which you came.

Berean Standard Bible

Because your rage and arrogance against Me have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will send you back the way you came.’

American Standard Version

Because of thy raging against me, and because thine arrogancy is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 19:28 delivers a potent divine declaration from the Lord through the prophet Isaiah to the arrogant Assyrian King Sennacherib. It is God's direct and decisive response to Sennacherib's blasphemous boasts and relentless aggression against Judah and Jerusalem. The verse vividly portrays God's absolute sovereignty and control over the most formidable earthly powers, promising to humiliate the proud king by forcing his ignominious retreat, thereby demonstrating divine justice and the unwavering protection of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the climactic divine answer to King Hezekiah's desperate prayer in [2 Kings 19:15-19](/2_kings/19-15 "2 Kings 19:15-19 - Hezekiah's Prayer"). Faced with Sennacherib's terrifying siege and blasphemous letters—which openly mocked the Lord and claimed His inability to deliver Jerusalem—Hezekiah humbly spread these letters before God in the temple. The preceding verses detail Sennacherib's conquests and his direct challenge to Judah's God, setting the stage for this powerful divine counter-declaration. Following this verse, the narrative swiftly moves to the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army by the angel of the Lord and Sennacherib's subsequent retreat and assassination, fulfilling the prophecy contained herein.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the Assyrian invasion of Judah in 701 BC, during the reign of King Hezekiah. The Neo-Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower of the Ancient Near East, known for its brutal military tactics and a policy of deporting conquered peoples. Sennacherib, a formidable and proud king, had already devastated many fortified cities of Judah before laying siege to Jerusalem. The imagery of a "hook in thy nose" and "bridle in thy lips" draws from the common ancient practice of leading captive animals (like oxen or camels) or even prisoners of war by inserting a hook or ring into their nose or lips, thereby exerting complete and humiliating control. This cultural practice would have immediately conveyed the extent of God's intended subjugation of the mighty Assyrian king.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of 2 Kings and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Control**, emphasizing God's absolute authority over all earthly powers, even the seemingly invincible Assyrian Empire. God's declaration that Sennacherib's "rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears" highlights His awareness and offense at human pride and blasphemy, reinforcing the theme of **God's Defense of His Honor and People**. The vivid imagery of the hook and bridle vividly portrays the **Humiliation of the Arrogant**, demonstrating that God actively resists the proud and brings down those who exalt themselves against Him. Finally, while not explicitly detailing the deliverance, the promise to "turn thee back by the way by which thou camest" serves as a profound assurance of **Divine Deliverance and Protection** for Jerusalem, foreshadowing the miraculous events described in [2 Kings 19:35-37](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35-37 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes the Assyrian Army"), where the Assyrian army is supernaturally destroyed and Sennacherib is forced to retreat. This passage confirms that God is the ultimate ruler of nations and history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hook (Hebrew, חָח, _chach'_):** This term refers to a ring or hook, often made of bronze or iron, inserted into the nose or lips of animals (like oxen or camels) to lead or control them. It was also used for leading captives or prisoners. Its use here signifies absolute, humiliating control and subjugation, reducing the proud king to the level of a beast led by its master.
* **Bridle (Hebrew, מֶתֶג, _metheg'_):** This word denotes a bit or rein, part of a harness used to control a horse or other animal by its mouth. Paired with "hook," it intensifies the imagery of complete restraint and direction, emphasizing that Sennacherib's movements will be entirely dictated by God's will, not his own.
* **Rage (Hebrew, רוֹגֶז, _rogez'_):** While often meaning "trembling" or "agitation," in this context, it refers to the furious indignation, insolent defiance, and aggressive boasting of Sennacherib against the Lord. It captures the violent, blasphemous spirit of his challenge to God's authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears":** This opening clause establishes the divine motivation for God's action. Sennacherib's arrogant defiance and blasphemous boasts against the Lord (which Hezekiah had just laid before God) have not gone unnoticed. "Come up into mine ears" is an anthropomorphic expression signifying God's full awareness, attention, and offense at the king's insolence. It underscores that Sennacherib's actions were not merely against Judah but a direct affront to the Almighty Himself.
* **"therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips":** This is the core of God's judgment and a vivid metaphor. The "therefore" indicates a direct consequence of Sennacherib's pride. God declares His intention to exert total, humiliating control over the mighty Assyrian king. By comparing Sennacherib to a wild animal or a captive led by a hook and bridle, God asserts His power to completely subdue and direct the king's movements, stripping him of all agency and dignity.
* **"and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest":** This final clause is a precise prophecy of Sennacherib's forced retreat. Despite his overwhelming military might and initial successes, God declares that the king will not conquer Jerusalem but will be compelled to return to his own land, not by his own strategic decision, but by divine intervention. This foreshadows the miraculous destruction of his army and his ignominious withdrawal, fulfilling God's promise to protect His city and people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich with **Metaphor**, primarily seen in the imagery of the "hook in thy nose" and "bridle in thy lips." This powerful **Metaphor** likens the formidable Assyrian king to a controlled animal, vividly illustrating God's absolute power to humble the proud and direct even the most powerful human rulers. **Anthropomorphism** is present in the phrase "come up into mine ears," attributing human sensory experience (hearing) to God to convey His attentive awareness and offense at Sennacherib's blasphemy. The entire verse functions as a direct **Prophecy**, a divine declaration of future events that will inevitably come to pass. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the king who boasted of conquering all nations will himself be led like a beast, stripped of his perceived power and autonomy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a profound testament to God's active involvement in human history and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His own glory. It teaches us that no earthly power, however mighty or arrogant, can ultimately stand against the sovereign will of the Lord. God is not a distant, passive observer, but one who hears the blasphemies of the proud and responds decisively. He defends His honor and executes justice, often turning the schemes of the wicked back upon themselves. The humiliation of Sennacherib serves as a timeless warning against pride and a powerful encouragement to trust in God's ultimate control over all circumstances, knowing that He hears the prayers of His humble servants and acts on their behalf.

* [Psalm 2:4](/psalms/2-4 "Psalm 2:4 - God Laughs at the Nations")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 37:29](/isaiah/37-29 "Isaiah 37:29 - God's Judgment on Sennacherib")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine declaration in 2 Kings 19:28 offers enduring lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reassures us of God's attentiveness to our prayers and His awareness of the challenges we face. Just as He heard Hezekiah's desperate plea amidst overwhelming odds, God hears the cries of His people today, even when the "rage" and "tumult" of the world seem deafening. Secondly, this passage is a stark reminder of God's opposition to pride and arrogance, particularly when directed against Him or His purposes. Sennacherib's fate serves as a timeless warning that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves before God will find grace. Finally, it reinforces the profound truth of God's ultimate sovereignty. In a world often marked by chaos, injustice, and seemingly insurmountable threats, this verse affirms that God holds the reins of history. We can rest in the assurance that He is in control, capable of turning back any adversary and delivering His people, often in ways that defy human expectation and demonstrate His miraculous power. Our call, therefore, is to humble ourselves, pray faithfully, and trust in His unfailing power and protection.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Sennacherib's arrogance contrast with Hezekiah's humility, and what can we learn from their respective responses to crisis?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be tempted to display "rage" or "tumult" against God's will or His perceived inaction?**
* **How does this passage encourage us to trust in God's ultimate control over global events and personal trials, even when circumstances seem overwhelming?**
* **What does it mean for us that God "hears" our prayers, and how might this truth deepen our prayer lives?**

### FAQ

**What was Sennacherib's "rage" and "tumult" that came up into God's ears?**

Answer: Sennacherib's "rage" and "tumult" refer primarily to his blasphemous boasts and arrogant defiance against the Lord. This was expressed through his intimidating letters sent to King Hezekiah, where he openly mocked the God of Judah, claiming that the Lord was no different from the pagan gods of the nations he had already conquered and destroyed. His insolent pride and direct challenge to God's power and sovereignty were what "came up into God's ears," signifying divine awareness and offense. You can read about his blasphemous messages in [2 Kings 19:10-12](/2_kings/19-10 "2 Kings 19:10-12 - Sennacherib's Blasphemous Letters").

**How was the prophecy of the "hook in the nose" and "bridle in the lips" fulfilled?**

Answer: The prophecy was fulfilled through a dramatic and miraculous act of divine intervention. That very night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp, causing Sennacherib to withdraw in shame and defeat. He returned to Nineveh, his capital, where he was later assassinated by his own sons while worshipping in the temple of his god, Nisroch. Thus, God literally "turned him back by the way by which he came," not through human military might, but by a supernatural display of His power, demonstrating His absolute control over the proud king. This fulfillment is detailed in [2 Kings 19:35-37](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35-37 - The End of Sennacherib").

**Is this imagery of a hook and bridle unique in the Bible?**

Answer: No, similar imagery is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to depict God's absolute control and judgment over powerful nations or individuals. For instance, in [Ezekiel 29:4](/ezekiel/29-4 "Ezekiel 29:4 - God's Judgment on Pharaoh"), God tells Pharaoh of Egypt, "But I will put hooks in your jaws, and make the fish of your streams stick to your scales; and I will bring you up out of your streams with all the fish of your streams sticking to your scales." This consistent use of the imagery underscores God's sovereign power to humble and direct even the most formidable earthly rulers as He wills.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine subjugation of Sennacherib in 2 Kings 19:28, where God puts a "hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ over all opposing powers. Just as God demonstrated His absolute sovereignty by humbling a proud earthly king, so too does Christ, the true King of kings, exercise supreme authority over all creation. The "hook and bridle" imagery, signifying complete control and forced submission, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's victory over sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). Every knee will ultimately bow to Him, whether in willing worship or forced submission, fulfilling the prophetic declaration that He is Lord of all (see [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). The temporary humiliation of Sennacherib points to the eternal reality that Christ holds all authority in heaven and on earth, leading all His enemies captive and ensuring that His kingdom will have no end. He is the one who will ultimately "turn back" all forces that rage against God, leading them to their just end, as depicted in the glorious return of the victorious Rider in [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ as Victorious Rider").

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

Ezekiel 29:4

But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.

2 Kings 19:33

By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 38:4

And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts [of armour, even] a great company [with] bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:

Amos 4:2

The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.

Isaiah 30:28

And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and [there shall be] a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing [them] to err.

Job 41:2

Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?

Psalms 83:2

For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.