2 Kings 19:21

This [is] the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

This is the word {H1697} that the LORD {H3068} hath spoken {H1696} concerning him; The virgin {H1330} the daughter {H1323} of Zion {H6726} hath despised {H959} thee, and laughed thee to scorn {H3932}; the daughter {H1323} of Jerusalem {H3389} hath shaken {H5128} her head {H7218} at thee {H310}.

Here is ADONAI's answer concerning him: 'The virgin daughter of Tziyon despises you; she laughs you to scorn. The daughter of Yerushalayim shakes her head at you.

This is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you.

This is the word that Jehovah hath spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Kings 19:21 (KJV)

2 Kings 19:21 records a powerful and defiant message from the LORD delivered through the prophet Isaiah to Sennacherib, the arrogant king of Assyria. This verse encapsulates God's protective stance over Jerusalem and His utter contempt for the pride of its would-be conqueror.

Context

This divine oracle comes at a critical juncture in Judah's history. King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem were under immense pressure from the mighty Assyrian Empire, led by King Sennacherib. Having already conquered many nations and fortified cities, Sennacherib had sent a blasphemous message to Hezekiah, challenging the power of Judah's God and demanding surrender. In response, Hezekiah sought the LORD, spreading Sennacherib's threatening letter before Him in the temple and offering a fervent prayer for deliverance (2 Kings 19:15-19). Verse 21 is the direct beginning of God's answer to that prayer, delivered via the prophet Isaiah, promising divine intervention and the humiliation of Assyria.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereignty and Protection: The verse emphatically declares that the LORD has spoken, asserting His ultimate authority over human kingdoms and their designs. It reveals God's unwavering commitment to protecting His chosen city and people, even when faced with overwhelming military might.
  • Divine Reversal and Humiliation of the Arrogant: Sennacherib, who boasted of his conquests and mocked the God of Israel, is told that Jerusalem, personified as a vulnerable "virgin daughter of Zion," will not only resist him but will "despise," "laugh him to scorn," and "shake her head" at him. This is a profound reversal of expected power dynamics, demonstrating God's ability to humble the proud (Proverbs 16:18).
  • The Power of Prayer: This prophecy is a direct response to Hezekiah's humble and desperate prayer. It underscores the truth that God hears and responds to the pleas of His faithful, providing strength and deliverance even in seemingly impossible situations.
  • Jerusalem's Special Status: The imagery of "the virgin the daughter of Zion" highlights Jerusalem's unique covenant relationship with God. The term "virgin" implies a city that has not been defiled by foreign conquest, emphasizing God's divine shield around it.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the virgin the daughter of Zion" and "the daughter of Jerusalem" are powerful personifications of the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. In ancient Near Eastern literature, cities were often depicted as women. Calling Jerusalem a "virgin" emphasizes its purity, its divine protection, and the fact that it has not yet been violated by an enemy army. It signifies that God considers Jerusalem inviolable and will not permit Sennacherib to conquer it. The actions "despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; ...hath shaken her head at thee" are strong expressions of contempt and mockery, indicating utter disdain for Sennacherib's threats and an absolute confidence in God's deliverance.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Kings 19:21 offers profound encouragement. It reminds us that:

  • God is Sovereign: No earthly power, threat, or challenge is beyond God's control. He can humble the mightiest and protect the weakest.
  • Prayer is Potent: Just as God responded to Hezekiah's prayer, He hears and acts on the prayers of His people. In times of anxiety or overwhelming odds, turning to God in prayer is our most powerful recourse.
  • God Defends His Own: Those who trust in the LORD are under His divine protection. We can face life's "Sennacheribs" with confidence, knowing that God is our ultimate defender.

This verse sets the stage for the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army, a testament to God's faithfulness and His power to turn the tables on those who defy Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Lamentations 2:13 (7 votes)

    What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach [is] great like the sea: who can heal thee?

  • Job 16:4 (4 votes)

    I also could speak as ye [do]: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

  • Jeremiah 14:17 (4 votes)

    ¶ Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

  • Matthew 27:39 (4 votes)

    And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

  • Lamentations 2:15 (3 votes)

    All that pass by clap [their] hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, [saying, Is] this the city that [men] call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

  • Psalms 109:25 (3 votes)

    I became also a reproach unto them: [when] they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

  • Psalms 22:7 (3 votes)

    All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying],