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The LORD himself told me to march against this country and destroy it.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />What’s more, do you think we have invaded your land without the LORD’s direction? The LORD himself told us, ‘Attack this land and destroy it!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Moreover, is it without the LORD that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, “Go up against this land and destroy it.”’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So now, was it apart from the LORD that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The LORD Himself said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Have I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, ‘Go up against this land, and destroy it.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I now come up without the LORD’S approval against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’”’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Have I now come up without the LORD&#8217S approval against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, &#8216Go up against this land and destroy it.&#8217"&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Have I now come up without the LORD’s approval against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’”’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now, have I come up without the approval of Yahweh against this place to make it a ruin? Yahweh said to me, ‘Go up against this land and make it a ruin.’”’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now have I come up against this place to destroy it without the LORD’S approval? The LORD said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’”’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now, have I attacked this place to destroy it without the LORD’s approval? The LORD said to me, ‘Attack this land and destroy it.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have I attacked this place to destroy it without the LORD&#8217s approval? The LORD said to me, &#8216Attack this land and destroy it.&#8217&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Am I now come up without Jehovah against this place to destroy it? Jehovah said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't forget that it was the LORD who sent me here with orders to destroy your nation! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Have I come to destroy this place without the LORD on my side? The LORD said to me, 'Attack this country, and destroy it.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do you think I have attacked your country and destroyed it without the LORD's help? The LORD himself told me to attack it and destroy it." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Now then, haven't I come up—apart from the LORD—to attack and destroy this place? The LORD told me, 'Go up against this land and destroy it!'"'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So now, was it apart from the LORD that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The LORD Himself said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Furthermore it was by the command of the LORD that I marched up against this place to destroy it. The LORD told me, 'March up against this land and destroy it.'"'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Have I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, 'Go up against this land, and destroy it.'"'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Have I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Have I now come up without Yahweh against this place to destroy it? Yahweh said to me, ‘Go up against this land, and destroy it.’”’” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Have I now come up without YHWH against this place to destroy it? YHWH said to me, Go up against this land, and you have destroyed it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Now, without Jehovah have I come up against this place to destroy it? Jehovah said unto me, Go up against this land, and thou hast destroyed it.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Now came I up without Jehovah upon this place to destroy it? Jehovah said to me, Go up against this land and destroy it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Is it without the will of the Lord that I am come up to this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me: Go up to this land and destroy it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Is it not by the will of the Lord that I have chosen to ascend to this place, so that I may destroy it? The Lord said to me: ‘Ascend to this land, and destroy it.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Did I come up to destroy this place without the LORD? The LORD himself said to me: Go up and destroy that land!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Moreover, is it without the LORD that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And now perhaps you think that I have come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land and destroy it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And now, lest you think that I went up against this land for its destruction apart from LORD JEHOVAH, LORD JEHOVAH himself said to me: ‘Go up against this land, and I shall destroy it!’”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said unto me: Go up against this land, destroy it.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now have we come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/18-25.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=6447" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/18.htm">Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">24</span>For how can you repel a single officer among the least of my master’s servants when you depend on Egypt for chariots and horsemen? <span class="reftext">25</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: ‘at·tāh (Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">So now,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1107.htm" title="1107: hă·mib·bal·‘ă·ḏê (Prep:: Prep) -- Apart from, except, without. Or balmadey; constructive plural from bal and ad, not till, i.e. except, without, besides.">was it apart from</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ā·lî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">that I have come up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: ham·mā·qō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">place</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: lə·haš·ḥi·ṯōw (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf:: 3ms) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">to destroy it?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">The LORD Himself</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ă·lêh (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">‘Go up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: haz·zōṯ (Art:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">land</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: wə·haš·ḥî·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">and destroy it.’”</a> </span><span class="reftext">26</span>Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/36-10.htm">Isaiah 36:10</a></span><br />So now, was it apart from the LORD that I have come up against this land to destroy it? The LORD Himself said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Isaiah 10:5-6</a></span><br />Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-9.htm">Jeremiah 25:9</a></span><br />behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/27-6.htm">Jeremiah 27:6</a></span><br />So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/43-10.htm">Jeremiah 43:10</a></span><br />Then tell them that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will set his throne over these stones that I have embedded, and he will spread his royal pavilion over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Habakkuk 1:6</a></span><br />For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans—that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-26.htm">Isaiah 37:26</a></span><br />Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-23.htm">2 Chronicles 36:23</a></span><br />“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/1-2.htm">Ezra 1:2</a></span><br />“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-17.htm">Daniel 4:17</a></span><br />This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Acts 17:26</a></span><br />From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-11.htm">John 19:11</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-17.htm">Revelation 17:17</a></span><br />For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Isaiah 45:1</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.</p><p class="hdg">Am I now.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/19-6.htm">2 Kings 19:6,22-37</a></b></br> And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/13-18.htm">1 Kings 13:18</a></b></br> He said unto him, I <i>am</i> a prophet also as thou <i>art</i>; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. <i>But</i> he lied unto him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/35-21.htm">2 Chronicles 35:21</a></b></br> But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? <i>I come</i> not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from <i>meddling with</i> God, who <i>is</i> with me, that he destroy thee not.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-26.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-3.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-10.htm">Country</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-23.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-19.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-16.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-1.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-16.htm">LORD'S</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-9.htm">March</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-37.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-9.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/17-12.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-35.htm">Country</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-18.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-12.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-18.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-9.htm">LORD'S</a> <a href="/2_kings/24-7.htm">March</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-19.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-17.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-28.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-1.htm">Hezekiah's good reign</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">He destroys idolatry, and prospers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-9.htm">The inhabitants of Samaria are carried captive for their sins</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-13.htm">Sennacherib invading Judah, is pacified by a tribute</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-17.htm">Rabshakeh, by blasphemous persuasions, solicits the people to revolt</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/2_kings/18.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Have I now come up</b><br />This phrase is spoken by the Assyrian king's representative, Rabshakeh, as he taunts the people of Jerusalem. The Hebrew root for "come up" is "עָלָה" (alah), which often implies ascending or approaching with intent. Historically, this reflects the Assyrian military campaigns, which were known for their strategic and aggressive advances. The phrase suggests a presumption of divine sanction, a common claim by ancient Near Eastern kings to legitimize their conquests.<p><b>without the LORD’s approval</b><br />The Hebrew term for "approval" here is "מִבַּלְעֲדֵי" (mibbaladei), meaning "without" or "apart from." This phrase challenges the Israelites' understanding of divine will, as the Assyrians claim to act under Yahweh's command. It reflects the theological tension in the narrative, where foreign powers often claimed divine backing to demoralize their enemies. This assertion tests the faith of the Israelites, who believed Yahweh was their protector.<p><b>against this place</b><br />"Place" in Hebrew is "מָקוֹם" (maqom), referring specifically to Jerusalem. The city holds significant religious and cultural importance as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. The historical context here is crucial, as Jerusalem was seen as inviolable due to God's covenant with David. The Assyrian threat against such a sacred site would have been deeply unsettling for the Israelites.<p><b>to destroy it?</b><br />The Hebrew root "שָׁחַת" (shachat) means to ruin or annihilate. This word underscores the severity of the threat posed by the Assyrians. Historically, Assyrian campaigns were brutal, often involving the complete destruction of cities and deportation of their inhabitants. The use of this term highlights the existential threat to Jerusalem and serves as a test of faith for its inhabitants.<p><b>The LORD said to me</b><br />This phrase is a bold claim by Rabshakeh, suggesting direct divine communication. The Hebrew "אָמַר" (amar) means "said" or "declared," implying a prophetic or authoritative message. In the biblical narrative, such claims by foreign powers are often false, serving to challenge the Israelites' trust in their God. It reflects the common ancient practice of invoking deities to justify political and military actions.<p><b>‘Go up against this land</b><br />The command "Go up" uses the same Hebrew root "עָלָה" (alah) as earlier, reinforcing the idea of a divinely sanctioned military campaign. "This land" refers to Judah, the southern kingdom. The historical context is the Assyrian expansion under King Sennacherib, who sought to subdue Judah as part of his empire-building efforts. This phrase is intended to intimidate the Israelites by suggesting divine abandonment.<p><b>and destroy it.’&#8221</b><br />The repetition of "destroy" (שָׁחַת, shachat) emphasizes the totality of the threat. The Assyrian strategy often involved psychological warfare, using fear to weaken enemy resolve. In the biblical context, this claim is a direct affront to the covenantal promises of protection and prosperity given to Israel. Theologically, it challenges the Israelites to discern true divine will amidst external threats and internal doubts.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(25) <span class= "bld">The Lord said to me.</span>--Michaelis supposed that Sennacherib had consulted some of the captive priests of the Northern kingdom. Others think some report of the menaces of the Hebrew prophets may have reached Assyrian ears. Thenius makes Rab-shakeh's words a mere inference from the success which had hitherto attended the expedition; but the language is too definite for this. In the annals of Nabuna'id, the last king of Babylon, a remarkable parallel occurs. The Persian Cyrus there represents himself as enjoying the special favour of Merodach the chief god of Babylon; Merodach foretells his march upon the city, and accompanies him thither. Cyrus even declares that he has daily offered prayers to Bel and Nebo, that they might intercede with Merodach on his behalf. From all this it would appear to have been customary with invaders to seek to win the gods of hostile countries to the furtherance of their schemes of conquest. (Comp. the account of the taking of Veii in <span class= "ital">Livy, v.</span> 21, especially the sentence beginning "Veientes ignari se jam ab suis vatibus, jam ab externis oraculis proditos;" and Macrob. <span class= "ital">Sat. iii.</span> 9.) It is not impossible that there was some renegade prophet of Jehovah in the Assyrian camp. At all events, the <span class= "ital">form</span> of the oracle, "Go up against this land, and destroy it," is thoroughly authentic. Comp. the oracle of Chemosh to Mesha: "And Chemosh said unto me, Go thou, seize Nebo against Israel" (<span class= "ital">Moabite Stone,</span> 1. 14). Meanwhile, <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm" title="O Assyrian, the rod of my anger, and the staff in their hand is my indignation.">Isaiah 10:5</a> <span class= "ital">seq.</span> shows how true was the boast of the arrogant invader, in a sense which lay far above his heathenish apprehension.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 25.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Am I now come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.</span> The Assyrian monarchs constantly state that Asshur, their "great god," directs them to make war against this or that nation ('Records of the Past,' vol. 1. pp. 48, 60, 70, 71, 82, etc.), but not that the god of the country to be attacked does so. It is difficult to account for Sennacherib's very exceptional boast, "Jehovah said to me. Go up against this laud." Perhaps he identifies "Jehovah" with "Asshur." Perhaps he has heard of prophecies, uttered in the name of Jehovah, by Jewish prophets, which threatened the land with desolation at the hand of the Assyrians (<span class="accented">e.g.</span>, <a href="/isaiah/7-17.htm">Isaiah 7:17-24</a>; <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Isaiah 10:5-12</a>; <a href="/joel/2-1.htm">Joel 2:1-11</a>, etc.). Or he may have made the statement in mere bravado, as one that might frighten some, and at any rate could not be contradicted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/18-25.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So now,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַתָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was it apart from</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲמִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(hă·mib·bal·‘ă·ḏê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1107.htm">Strong's 1107: </a> </span><span class="str2">Apart from, except, without</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that I have come up</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלִ֛יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lî·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">place</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּק֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·qō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to destroy it?</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהַשְׁחִת֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·haš·ḥi·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The LORD Himself</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלַ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Go up</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֹּ֖את</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">land</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֥רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and destroy it!’”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַשְׁחִיתָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·haš·ḥî·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/18-25.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 18:25 Am I now come up without Yahweh (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/18-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 18:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 18:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/18-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 18:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 18:26" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>