probably of foreign derivation; Hena, a place apparently in Mesopotamia; Hena.
Transliteration:Hênaʻ
Pronunciation:hay-nah'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term הֵנַע (Hênaʻ), Strong's number `{{H2012}}`, functions exclusively as a proper noun, identifying a specific geographical location. Its base definition indicates it is "probably of foreign derivation," suggesting it is a non-Hebrew place name transliterated into the biblical text. As such, it does not possess an inherent etymological meaning derived from Hebrew roots. Its semantic range is therefore limited to its denotation as a place, specifically "Hena, a place apparently in Mesopotamia." This lack of an internal Hebrew meaning directs the focus of its study to its contextual role within the biblical narrative rather than its linguistic origins.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Hena appears in the Hebrew Bible in three distinct passages, all within the context of the Assyrian invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah:
* [[2 Kings 18:34]]: "Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand?"
* [[2 Kings 19:13]]: "Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?"
* [[Isaiah 37:13]]: "Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?"
In all three instances, Hena is listed among a series of cities that the Assyrian king Sennacherib, through his rabshakeh (field commander), boasts of having conquered. These cities, including Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, and Ivvah (or Avva in some texts), are presented as evidence of Assyria's irresistible military might and the impotence of their respective deities. The rhetorical question posed by the rabshakeh—"Have they delivered...?"—is a direct challenge to the power of the gods of these conquered nations, implicitly extending the challenge to Yahweh, the God of Judah. Hena's inclusion in this list serves to underscore the vastness of the Assyrian empire's conquests and the perceived futility of resistance. Its location in Mesopotamia further emphasizes the far-reaching extent of Assyrian dominion.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a geographical proper noun, Hena is related to several key concepts and other proper nouns within the biblical narrative:
* **Geographical Locations:** It is consistently associated with other conquered Mesopotamian and Syrian cities such as Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Ivvah/Avva. These cities collectively represent the scope of the Assyrian empire's expansion.
* **Assyrian Empire:** Hena is a testament to the historical reality and military prowess of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, particularly under Sennacherib.
* **Sennacherib:** The Assyrian king who is the primary agent of the conquest and the one who issues the taunt, making Hena a symbol of his imperial ambition and blasphemous challenge to Yahweh.
* **Hezekiah & Judah:** Hena's mention is part of the narrative designed to intimidate Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, urging them to surrender to Assyria.
* **Idolatry & False Gods:** The gods of Hena and the other conquered cities are implicitly contrasted with Yahweh, highlighting the biblical polemic against the impotence of pagan deities. The Assyrian boast is that no god has been able to deliver their people from Assyrian might.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The narrative in which Hena appears ultimately serves to demonstrate Yahweh's supreme sovereignty over all nations and their kings, including the mighty Sennacherib.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Hena does not stem from its name's meaning, but from its function within the broader narrative of God's interaction with His people and the nations.
1. **Illustrative of Human Hubris:** Hena, as a conquered city, becomes a symbol of the Assyrian king's immense pride and hubris. Sennacherib's use of Hena and other cities in his boast exemplifies the human tendency to exalt one's own power and achievements above the divine. This hubris directly challenges Yahweh's unique position as the sovereign God.
2. **Context for Divine Deliverance:** The inclusion of Hena in the list of fallen cities serves to heighten the tension and emphasize the seemingly insurmountable threat faced by Judah. This dire situation provides the perfect backdrop for Yahweh's miraculous intervention and deliverance of Jerusalem ([[2 Kings 19:35-36]], [[Isaiah 37:36-37]]). Hena's fall highlights that if even these cities with their gods could not be saved, only a truly transcendent power could save Jerusalem.
3. **Polemic Against Idolatry:** By listing cities whose gods were unable to protect them from Assyria, the rabshakeh implicitly argues that Yahweh is no different. However, the subsequent divine deliverance of Jerusalem powerfully refutes this claim, demonstrating Yahweh's unparalleled power and His distinction from the impotent deities of the nations. Hena, therefore, contributes to the biblical polemic against the futility of trusting in false gods or human strength.
4. **Affirmation of Yahweh's Supremacy:** Ultimately, the narrative involving Hena serves to affirm Yahweh's absolute supremacy over all earthly powers and all other gods. The fall of Hena and other cities, intended as a testament to Assyrian power, ironically becomes part of the narrative that underscores the limits of that power when confronted by the God of Israel.
### Summary
Hena (`{{H2012}}`) is a Mesopotamian place name, probably of foreign derivation, mentioned in the books of 2 Kings and Isaiah. It appears exclusively in the context of Sennacherib's boast against King Hezekiah and Judah, where it is listed among a series of cities conquered by the Assyrian Empire. As a proper noun, it carries no inherent Hebrew etymological meaning. Its significance is purely contextual, serving as a testament to the vastness of Assyrian conquests and the perceived impotence of the gods of those nations. Theologically, Hena's inclusion in this list highlights the Assyrian king's hubris, provides a dramatic backdrop for Yahweh's unparalleled deliverance of Jerusalem, and underscores the biblical polemic against idolatry, ultimately affirming the supreme sovereignty of the God of Israel over all earthly empires and their deities.
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