Bible Strands
2 Kings 18:30
Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, ‘The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Assyrian commander addresses the besieged citizens of Jerusalem, urging them to reject Hezekiah’s claim that Yahweh will protect the city.
The words — The Hebrew verb יַבְטַח (yavtach) literally means “he make trust,” commanding the audience not to place confidence in Yahweh. The adverb הַצֵּל (hatzel) conveys “certainly” or “surely,” emphasizing the promised deliverance.
The thread — This warning echoes in 2 Kings 19:10, where the same taunt challenges Hezekiah directly, and resurfaces in 19:22 against the pride of the Assyrian king. The narrative resolves the tension in 19:32, where Yahweh guarantees the city’s protection.
Why it lands — It forces a choice between trusting human political assurances or divine promises amid crisis. The verse demands evaluation of whose word governs survival.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 19:10 “Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
- 2 Kings 19:22 Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!
- 2 Kings 19:32 So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it.
- Psalms 4:2 How long, O men, will my honor be maligned? How long will you love vanity and seek after lies? Selah
- Psalms 11:1 For the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!
- Psalms 22:7 All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads:
- Psalms 71:9 Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
- Psalms 71:11 saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.”
- Psalms 125:1 A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.
- Matthew 27:43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”