Hezekiah and Sennacherib

The words

1. Assyria

   Kings says Sennacherib captures Judah’s fortified cities; later it reports the LORD’s angel killing 185,000 Assyrians in their camp before the king returns to Nineveh.

   2 Kings 18:13 (opens a new tab) · 2 Kings 19:35–36 (opens a new tab)

2. Conduit

   The envoys stand beside the upper pool’s channel, on the road to the field used for washing and drying cloth.

   2 Kings 18:17 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 18:17 (opens a new tab)

3. Eliakim

   Eliakim asks Rabshakeh to speak Aramaic, which the officials understand, and avoid using the people’s language within their hearing.

   2 Kings 18:26–28 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 18:26-28 (opens a new tab)

4. Hezekiah

   Hezekiah spreads the letter before the LORD and prays for deliverance; Isaiah sends word that his prayer has been heard.

   2 Kings 19:14–20 (opens a new tab)

5. Lachish

   Kings places Sennacherib at Lachish; the British Museum describes palace reliefs showing its assault and the deportation of citizens.

   2 Kings 18:14; 2 Kings 18:17 (opens a new tab) · British Museum: Taylor Prism (opens a new tab)

6. Letter

   Sennacherib’s renewed message warns Hezekiah against trusting in deliverance; Hezekiah reads the letter and spreads it before the LORD.

   2 Kings 19:9–14 (opens a new tab) · 2 Kings 19:14–20 (opens a new tab)

7. Libnah

   Rabshakeh returns and finds Sennacherib fighting against Libnah, having left Lachish; a report about Tirhakah then prompts another message to Hezekiah.

   2 Kings 19:8–9 (opens a new tab)

8. Nisroch

   Kings says Sennacherib’s sons kill him with a sword while he worships in the house of Nisroch, his god.

   2 Kings 19:37 (opens a new tab)

9. Pool

   The upper pool’s conduit is the meeting place where Eliakim, Shebna and Joah come out to hear the Assyrian delegation.

   Did you know?

   Isaiah 7:3 also names the upper pool’s conduit and the fuller’s field when directing Isaiah to meet Ahaz.

   2 Kings 18:17–18 (opens a new tab) · Isaiah 7:3 (opens a new tab)

10. Rabsaris

    An official’s title, rendered “chief eunuch” by the NET Bible.

    Rabsaris accompanies Tartan and Rabshakeh from Lachish with a large army; Hezekiah’s officials come out to meet the delegation.

    2 Kings 18:17–18 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 18:17 (opens a new tab)

11. Rabshakeh

    Chief adviser, in the NET Bible.

    Rabshakeh loudly urges the people not to trust Hezekiah, offering surrender terms that include deportation to another land.

    2 Kings 18:17 · 2 Kings 18:28–32 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 18:17 (opens a new tab)

12. Reproach

    Here, to taunt, in the NET Bible.

    Hezekiah’s messengers tell Isaiah that the Assyrian king sent Rabshakeh to reproach the living God, and ask him to pray.

    2 Kings 19:2–4 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 19:4 (opens a new tab)

13. Sennacherib

    Kings says Sennacherib returns to Nineveh and is killed by two sons while worshipping; another son, Esarhaddon, succeeds him.

    Did you know?

    The British Museum describes the Taylor Prism as a six-sided clay record of Sennacherib’s claimed achievements, discovered at Nineveh.

    2 Kings 19:36–37 (opens a new tab) · British Museum: Taylor Prism (opens a new tab)

14. Tartan

    Commanding general, in the NET Bible.

    Tartan is one of three officers sent from Lachish to Jerusalem with a large army, meeting Hezekiah’s officials by the upper pool.

    2 Kings 18:17–18 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 18:17 (opens a new tab)

15. Tirhakah

    King of Cush, in the NET Bible’s note.

    Sennacherib hears that Tirhakah is coming to fight him and sends another threatening message to Hezekiah.

    2 Kings 19:9–10 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Kings 19:9 (opens a new tab)