2 kings 19:28 - Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.’
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 kings 19:28" mean?
This verse, found in 2 Kings 19:28 (and Isaiah 37:29, as they cover the same historical event), is a powerful and vivid metaphor used by God to express his judgment upon King Sennacherib of Assyria. Let's break down its meaning:
"Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has come up into my ears...": This is the reason for God's action. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, had besieged Jerusalem and, through his messengers and letters, had blasphemed and mocked God. He boasted of his power and challenged God's ability to protect Jerusalem. His "raging" and "arrogance" represent his defiance and disrespect towards God. The phrase "come up into my ears" is an anthropomorphism – God using human-like attributes to express that He is fully aware of Sennacherib's words and actions.
"Therefore I will put my hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips...": This is the punishment and the method of God's control. This is a metaphor taken directly from the way people handled large animals. To control a wild and powerful animal like a bull or a horse, a hook would be inserted into its nose, and a bridle would be placed in its mouth. These tools would give the handler complete control over the animal's movements. God is saying that He will reduce Sennacherib from a mighty king to a controlled animal. He will strip Sennacherib of his power and autonomy.
"and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.": This is the outcome of God's judgment. Sennacherib's plan was to conquer Jerusalem and add it to his vast empire. But God declares that he will not succeed. Instead, God will force Sennacherib to retreat, returning to his own land the same way he came.
In summary, the verse means:
God is angered by Sennacherib's arrogance and blasphemy. Because of this, God will completely subdue Sennacherib, stripping him of his power and preventing him from achieving his goals. Instead, Sennacherib will be forced to retreat and return home without conquering Jerusalem.
Significance and Context:
This verse is part of a larger narrative of King Hezekiah's reign in Judah. Hezekiah was a righteous king who trusted in God. When Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah prayed to God for deliverance. God responded by sending the prophet Isaiah with a message of hope and a promise of protection. This verse is a key part of that message, assuring Hezekiah that God will deal with the arrogant Assyrian king.
Historically, the Assyrian army did indeed withdraw from Jerusalem. The Bible says an angel of the Lord struck down a large number of Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to retreat (2 Kings 19:35). Sennacherib later returned to Nineveh, where he was assassinated by his own sons (2 Kings 19:36-37).
Therefore, the verse is not just a threat, but also a prophecy that was fulfilled. It demonstrates God's power and sovereignty over even the most powerful earthly rulers, and serves as a reminder to trust in God and resist the temptation of arrogance and pride.
2 kings 19:28 - Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.’
What does "2 kings 19:28" mean?
This verse, found in 2 Kings 19:28 (and Isaiah 37:29, as they cover the same historical event), is a powerful and vivid metaphor used by God to express his judgment upon King Sennacherib of Assyria. Let's break down its meaning:
"Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has come up into my ears...": This is the reason for God's action. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, had besieged Jerusalem and, through his messengers and letters, had blasphemed and mocked God. He boasted of his power and challenged God's ability to protect Jerusalem. His "raging" and "arrogance" represent his defiance and disrespect towards God. The phrase "come up into my ears" is an anthropomorphism – God using human-like attributes to express that He is fully aware of Sennacherib's words and actions.
"Therefore I will put my hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips...": This is the punishment and the method of God's control. This is a metaphor taken directly from the way people handled large animals. To control a wild and powerful animal like a bull or a horse, a hook would be inserted into its nose, and a bridle would be placed in its mouth. These tools would give the handler complete control over the animal's movements. God is saying that He will reduce Sennacherib from a mighty king to a controlled animal. He will strip Sennacherib of his power and autonomy.
"and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.": This is the outcome of God's judgment. Sennacherib's plan was to conquer Jerusalem and add it to his vast empire. But God declares that he will not succeed. Instead, God will force Sennacherib to retreat, returning to his own land the same way he came.
In summary, the verse means:
God is angered by Sennacherib's arrogance and blasphemy. Because of this, God will completely subdue Sennacherib, stripping him of his power and preventing him from achieving his goals. Instead, Sennacherib will be forced to retreat and return home without conquering Jerusalem.
Significance and Context:
This verse is part of a larger narrative of King Hezekiah's reign in Judah. Hezekiah was a righteous king who trusted in God. When Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah prayed to God for deliverance. God responded by sending the prophet Isaiah with a message of hope and a promise of protection. This verse is a key part of that message, assuring Hezekiah that God will deal with the arrogant Assyrian king.
Historically, the Assyrian army did indeed withdraw from Jerusalem. The Bible says an angel of the Lord struck down a large number of Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to retreat (2 Kings 19:35). Sennacherib later returned to Nineveh, where he was assassinated by his own sons (2 Kings 19:36-37).
Therefore, the verse is not just a threat, but also a prophecy that was fulfilled. It demonstrates God's power and sovereignty over even the most powerful earthly rulers, and serves as a reminder to trust in God and resist the temptation of arrogance and pride.