2 Kings 19:33

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

By the way {H1870} that he came {H935}, by the same shall he return {H7725}, and shall not come {H935} into this city {H5892}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

By the way he came he will return; he will not come to this city,' says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city,’ declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 19:33 delivers a profound and unwavering declaration of divine sovereignty, spoken by the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah in the face of the overwhelming Assyrian invasion. This verse encapsulates God's absolute control over the movements and destinies of nations, assuring Hezekiah that the formidable King Sennacherib, despite his immense military might and blasphemous boasts, would be supernaturally repelled from Jerusalem, never to set foot within its sacred walls. It stands as a powerful testament to God's unyielding faithfulness to His covenant and His people, demonstrating conclusively that no earthly power can thwart His decreed will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic point of God's direct prophetic response to King Hezekiah's desperate and humble prayer amidst the Assyrian siege. Following the arrival of Sennacherib's arrogant and blasphemous letter, Hezekiah, in a profound act of faith, spread the document before the LORD in the temple, pouring out his heart in fervent intercession for divine intervention and the vindication of God's holy name, as detailed in [2 Kings 19:14-19](/2-kings/19-14-19 "2 Kings 19:14-19 - Hezekiah's Prayer"). In immediate and powerful response, God sends Isaiah with a message of absolute assurance, specifically detailing the Assyrian king's humiliating and divinely orchestrated retreat. Verses [2 Kings 19:32-34](/2-kings/19-32-34 "2 Kings 19:32-34 - God's Prophecy Regarding Sennacherib") collectively outline the divine decree concerning Sennacherib's failure to conquer Jerusalem, with verse 33 serving as the precise articulation of his forced, ignominious withdrawal. This powerful declaration directly precedes and sets the stage for the miraculous deliverance recounted in [2 Kings 19:35-36](/2-kings/19-35-36 "2 Kings 19:35-36 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes the Assyrian Camp").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BCE was profoundly shaped by the relentless expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, a ruthless superpower renowned for its brutal military campaigns, effective siege warfare, and policy of mass deportation. King Sennacherib of Assyria (705-681 BCE) had already swept through the Near East, conquering numerous nations and fortifying cities, including many in Judah, before turning his formidable attention to Jerusalem. The cultural context of the time underscores the immense fear and despair such an invasion would inspire; a city under siege faced the grim prospects of starvation, slaughter, and forced exile. Sennacherib's taunts, vividly recorded in [2 Kings 18:28-35](/2-kings/18-28-35 "2 Kings 18:28-35 - The Rabshakeh's Taunts"), were strategically designed to break the morale of Jerusalem's inhabitants by questioning Judah's God and asserting Assyria's perceived invincibility. For Jerusalem to withstand such an overwhelming force, especially without external military aid, was historically unprecedented and culturally unthinkable, thereby highlighting the truly extraordinary and miraculous nature of God's intervention.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of 2 Kings and the broader biblical narrative. It prominently highlights the **Sovereignty of God** over all earthly powers, demonstrating unequivocally that even the mightiest kings and empires are utterly subject to His divine will and can be turned back by His mere decree. The theme of **Divine Protection and Deliverance** is central, as God unequivocally declares His commitment to defending His chosen city and people against an overwhelming and seemingly insurmountable threat, underscoring His role as an unassailable refuge and strength, as echoed in [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength"). Furthermore, it powerfully underscores God's **Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, particularly His solemn promise to protect Jerusalem for His name's sake and for the sake of His servant David, a commitment explicitly reiterated in [2 Kings 19:34](/2-kings/19-34 "2 Kings 19:34 - God's Promise to Defend Jerusalem"). Finally, the verse foreshadows **Judgment on Human Arrogance and Blasphemy**, as Sennacherib's prideful defiance and contempt for the living God are met not with a conventional battle, but with a humiliating, divinely orchestrated retreat, ultimately leading to his ignominious assassination, as narrated in [2 Kings 19:36-37](/2-kings/19-36-37 "2 Kings 19:36-37 - Sennacherib's Retreat and Death").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to tread," signifies a road, path, or journey. Figuratively, it can also refer to a course of life or mode of action. In 2 Kings 19:33, it literally denotes the physical route Sennacherib took to approach Jerusalem. The divine decree that he will return "by the same way" emphasizes the complete reversal of his intended path of conquest into one of forced retreat, underscoring God's absolute control over his movements and frustrating his military objectives.
* **Return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** As a primitive root, `shûwb` means "to turn back," "to retreat," or "to restore." In this context, it carries the profound implication of a humiliating and involuntary retreat rather than a strategic withdrawal or triumphant advance. Sennacherib, who came with the intent to conquer and destroy, is supernaturally compelled to turn back in utter defeat, his plans completely thwarted by divine intervention. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over the most powerful human adversaries.
* **City (Hebrew, _ʻîyr'_):** This term refers to a city, often implying a guarded or watched place. In this specific context, "this city" unequivocally refers to Jerusalem, which is not merely a geographical location but the holy city, the chosen dwelling place of God's presence (the Temple), and the capital of His covenant people. The divine promise that Sennacherib "shall not come into this city" highlights God's special, inviolable protection over His chosen sanctuary and His steadfast commitment to His covenant with David.
* **Saith (Hebrew, _nᵉʼum'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to utter," `nᵉʼum` signifies an oracle or a divine utterance. When combined with "the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh), as it is here, "saith the LORD" (or `nᵉʼum Yᵉhôvâh`) is a powerful and authoritative prophetic formula, frequently used in the Old Testament to introduce a direct, undeniable, and binding declaration from God Himself. It removes any doubt about the origin or certainty of the prophecy, emphasizing that this is not Isaiah's opinion or Hezekiah's hope, but the irrefutable word of Yahweh, the self-existent, eternal, and sovereign God of Israel, guaranteeing its absolute and certain fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"By the way that he came, by the same shall he return":** This opening clause emphasizes the complete and ironic reversal of Sennacherib's intended trajectory. He arrived with immense pomp, military might, and arrogant confidence, intending to besiege and conquer Jerusalem. However, God decrees that his departure will be along the exact same path, signifying a humiliating and unfulfilled mission. This highlights God's absolute control over the movements of even the most powerful human adversaries, dictating their paths and utterly frustrating their designs, turning their advance into a retreat.
* **"and shall not come into this city":** This is the core of the divine promise of protection, an unequivocal and absolute declaration that Jerusalem will remain untouched and unviolated by the Assyrian forces. This phrase underscores the inviolability of God's holy city under His direct and personal protection, demonstrating His power to set insurmountable boundaries for the most formidable enemies and to ensure the safety and sanctity of His people and their dwelling place. The physical integrity of Jerusalem becomes a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and omnipotence.
* **"saith the LORD":** This concluding phrase serves as the divine seal on the entire prophecy, imbuing the declaration with absolute authority, certainty, and divine origin. It is a direct utterance from Yahweh (`Yᵉhôvâh`), the covenant-keeping God of Israel, leaving no room for doubt about its fulfillment. This powerful affirmation assures Hezekiah and the people of Judah that the promise is not merely human speculation or a hopeful wish, but a divine decree that will surely come to pass, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine power, certainty, and justice. **Prophecy** is the overarching device, as the verse is a direct divine foretelling of future events, delivered through a chosen messenger. The use of **Repetition** and **Parallelism** in the phrase "By the way that he came, by the same shall he return" creates a powerful sense of poetic justice and emphasizes the complete and humiliating reversal of Sennacherib's fortunes. This structural parallelism highlights the irony of the situation: the mighty king, who confidently strode towards conquest, will be turned back along the very path he took, his mission unaccomplished. The phrase "saith the LORD" functions as a **Divine Fiat** or **Authoritative Decree**, an ultimate pronouncement that carries the weight of ultimate power and guarantees the outcome. This device underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His ability to command events into being by His word alone. Finally, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience (Hezekiah and the people of Judah, and later, the readers) knows Sennacherib's fate is sealed by divine decree, while he remains oblivious, continuing his arrogant boasts, unaware of the inevitable humiliation awaiting him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Kings 19:33 is a profound theological statement on God's character and His active, sovereign relationship with His creation. It unequivocally asserts God's absolute sovereignty over human history, demonstrating that His will cannot be thwarted by any earthly power, no matter how formidable or seemingly invincible. This miraculous event serves as a powerful reminder that God is not merely a distant deity to be worshipped, but an active, intervening force in the affairs of nations, capable of delivering His people from seemingly insurmountable threats. His decisive defense of Jerusalem underscores His unwavering covenant faithfulness, revealing Him as a God who remembers His promises and acts decisively to protect His name and His chosen people. The humiliation and subsequent demise of Sennacherib also highlight God's justice against pride, arrogance, and blasphemy, affirming that those who defy Him and exalt themselves against His divine authority will ultimately face His certain judgment.

* [Psalm 46:1-3](/psalms/46-1-3 "Psalm 46:1-3 - God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Isaiah 37:34-35](/isaiah/37-34-35 "Isaiah 37:34-35 - God's Promise to Defend Jerusalem")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The message of 2 Kings 19:33 resonates deeply with believers today, offering profound encouragement and a powerful reminder of God's enduring character and active presence in our lives. In a world often characterized by overwhelming challenges, personal "sieges" of anxiety or despair, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse calls us to emulate King Hezekiah's posture of humble prayer and unwavering trust. Just as God heard Hezekiah's desperate cry and intervened decisively against the formidable Assyrian threat, so too does He hear our prayers and stand ready to defend us. This passage assures us that our God is a mighty Defender, capable of turning back any spiritual, emotional, or physical threat that seeks to overwhelm us. It cultivates a deep reliance on His sovereign power, reminding us that His word is absolutely reliable, and what He declares, He will surely accomplish. Our ultimate security is not found in our own strength, wisdom, or resources, but in the unfailing promises of the One who declares, "saith the LORD."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Hezekiah's response to Sennacherib's overwhelming threat—characterized by humble prayer and unwavering trust, rather than reliance on military might—inform our approach to seemingly insurmountable challenges in our own lives?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you currently feel "besieged" or overwhelmed, and how can the promise of God's absolute protection and sovereignty in [2 Kings 19:33](/2-kings/19-33 "2 Kings 19:33 - God's Promise to Hezekiah") encourage you to trust Him more fully?**
* **The phrase "saith the LORD" signifies absolute certainty and divine authority. How does the unwavering faithfulness of God, so powerfully demonstrated here, strengthen your faith in His promises for your personal circumstances and the broader challenges facing the world?**

### FAQ

**What was the ultimate fate of King Sennacherib after this event?**

Answer: After the miraculous destruction of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers by the angel of the LORD, as recorded in [2 Kings 19:35](/2-kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes the Assyrian Camp"), King Sennacherib was indeed forced to retreat from Jerusalem in humiliation. He returned to his capital city of Nineveh. Years later, while worshipping in the temple of his god Nisroch, he was assassinated by two of his own sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, who then fled to the land of Ararat. His son Esarhaddon succeeded him as king. This precise fulfillment of God's prophecy is detailed in [2 Kings 19:36-37](/2-kings/19-36-37 "2 Kings 19:36-37 - Sennacherib's Retreat and Death").

**Why was Jerusalem considered so important to God that He would defend it so miraculously?**

Answer: Jerusalem held immense theological and historical significance for God. It was the city chosen by King David as the capital of Israel and, more importantly, the place where the Temple, God's designated dwelling place among His people, was built ([2 Samuel 7:13](/2-samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's Covenant with David")). God had made a solemn covenant with David, promising an everlasting dynasty and a secure dwelling for His people, as seen in [2 Samuel 7:16](/2-samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Covenant with David"). Defending Jerusalem was not merely about protecting a city, but about upholding His covenant promises, vindicating His holy name against the blasphemous taunts of Sennacherib, and demonstrating His unique, covenantal relationship with His chosen people. It was the physical manifestation of His presence and faithfulness on earth, a sign of His commitment to His redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem in [2 Kings 19:33](/2-kings/19-33 "2 Kings 19:33 - God's Promise to Hezekiah"), orchestrated by God's sovereign decree, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and decisive victory achieved by Jesus Christ. Just as God turned back the formidable Assyrian king from His earthly city, so too did Christ, the true King and Defender, decisively conquer the spiritual enemies of humanity—sin, death, and the devil—who sought to besiege and destroy God's people. The "way that he came" for Sennacherib was one of pride and conquest, but for Christ, it was the way of humble incarnation, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross and triumphant resurrection. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them publicly ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He did not allow sin and death to "come into this city" of God's redeemed, but rather, through His sacrifice, He rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). This divine protection culminates in the promise of the New Jerusalem, where no enemy, no sin, and no sorrow will ever enter ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Jerusalem")), secured eternally by the Lamb of God who has overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ Overcomes the World")). Thus, 2 Kings 19:33 stands as a historical testament to God's power, pointing forward to the complete and eternal salvation wrought by Christ.

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 Kings 19:28

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.

2 Kings 19:36

So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.