Sennacherib Invades Judah
(2 Kings 18:13–16; Psalm 46:1–11)

1  אַחֲרֵ֨י (After) הַדְּבָרִ֤ים (the deeds) וְהָאֱמֶת֙ (and faithfulness) הָאֵ֔לֶּה (these), בָּ֖א (came) סַנְחֵרִ֣יב (Sennacherib) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (king) אַשּׁ֑וּר (of Assyria) וַיָּבֹ֣א (and entered) בִֽיהוּדָ֗ה (into Judah), וַיִּ֙חַן֙ (and he encamped) עַל־ (against) הֶעָרִ֣ים (the cities) הַבְּצֻר֔וֹת (fortified) וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (and said) לְבִקְעָ֥ם (to rend them) אֵלָֽיו׃ (to himself).

2  וַיַּרְא֙ (And saw) יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ (Hezekiah) כִּי־ (that) בָ֖א (had come) סַנְחֵרִ֑יב (Sennacherib), וּפָנָ֕יו (and his face) לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה (was to the battle) עַל־ (against) יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (Jerusalem), 3  וַיִּוָּעַ֗ץ (and he counseled) עִם־ (with) שָׂרָיו֙ (his leaders) וְגִבֹּרָ֔יו (and commanders) לִסְתּוֹם֙ (to stop up) אֶת־ (-) מֵימֵ֣י (the water from) הָעֲיָנ֔וֹת (the springs) אֲשֶׁ֖ר (that were) מִח֣וּץ (outside) לָעִ֑יר (of the city), וַֽיַּעְזְרֽוּהוּ׃ (and they helped him). 4  וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ (And gathered together) עַם־ (people) רָ֔ב (many) וַֽיִּסְתְּמוּ֙ (and they stopped up) אֶת־ (-) כָּל־ (all) הַמַּעְיָנ֔וֹת (the springs) וְאֶת־ (and) הַנַּ֛חַל (the brook) הַשּׁוֹטֵ֥ף (that was flowing) בְּתוֹךְ־ (in the midst) הָאָ֖רֶץ (of the land), לֵאמֹ֑ר (saying), לָ֤מָּה (Why) יָב֙וֹאוּ֙ (should come) מַלְכֵ֣י (the kings) אַשּׁ֔וּר (of Assyria) וּמָצְא֖וּ (and find) מַ֥יִם (waters) רַבִּֽים׃ (many)?”

5  וַיִּתְחַזַּ֡ק (And he strengthened himself) וַיִּבֶן֩ (and built up) אֶת־ (-) כָּל־ (all) הַחוֹמָ֨ה (the wall) הַפְּרוּצָ֜ה (that was broken), וַיַּ֣עַל (and he raised it up) עַל־ (to) הַמִּגְדָּל֗וֹת (the towers) וְלַח֙וּצָה֙ (and at the outside) הַחוֹמָ֣ה (of the wall) אַחֶ֔רֶת (another), וַיְחַזֵּ֥ק (and he strengthened) אֶת־ (-) הַמִּלּ֖וֹא (the Millo) עִ֣יר (in the City) דָּוִ֑יד (of David) וַיַּ֥עַשׂ (and he made) שֶׁ֛לַח (weapons) לָרֹ֖ב (in abundance), וּמָגִנִּֽים׃ (and shields).

6  וַיִּתֵּ֛ן (And he set) שָׂרֵ֥י (captains) מִלְחָמ֖וֹת (military) עַל־ (over) הָעָ֑ם (the people), וַיִּקְבְּצֵ֣ם (and he gathered them) אֵלָ֗יו (to himself) אֶל־ (in) רְחוֹב֙ (the plaza) שַׁ֣עַר (at the gate) הָעִ֔יר (of the city), וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר (and he spoke) עַל־ (to) לְבָבָ֖ם (their heart), לֵאמֹֽר׃ (saying), 7  חִזְק֣וּ (Be strong) וְאִמְצ֔וּ (and be courageous)! אַל־ (Not) תִּֽירְא֣וּ (do be afraid) וְאַל־ (and not) תֵּחַ֗תּוּ (do be dismayed) מִפְּנֵי֙ (from before) מֶ֣לֶךְ (the king) אַשּׁ֔וּר (of Assyria), וּמִלִּפְנֵ֖י (and from before) כָּל־ (all) הֶהָמ֣וֹן (the multitude) אֲשֶׁר־ (that is) עִמּ֑וֹ (with him), כִּֽי־ (for) עִמָּ֥נוּ (with us) רַ֖ב (are more) מֵעִמּֽוֹ׃ (than with him). 8  עִמּוֹ֙ (With him is) זְר֣וֹעַ (an arm) בָּשָׂ֔ר (of flesh), וְעִמָּ֜נוּ (and with us is) יְהוָ֤ה (YHWH) אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ (our God) לְעָזְרֵ֔נוּ (to help us) וּלְהִלָּחֵ֖ם (and to fight) מִלְחֲמֹתֵ֑נוּ (our battles).

וַיִּסָּמְכ֣וּ (And were upheld) הָעָ֔ם (the people) עַל־ (by) דִּבְרֵ֖י (the words) יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ (of Hezekiah) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (king) יְהוּדָֽה׃פ (of Judah).

Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
(2 Kings 18:17–37; Isaiah 36:1–22)

9  אַ֣חַר (After) זֶ֗ה (this) שָׁ֠לַח (sent) סַנְחֵרִ֨יב (Sennacherib) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (king) אַשּׁ֤וּר (of Assyria) עֲבָדָיו֙ (his servants) יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יְמָה (to Jerusalem)— וְהוּא֙ (and he) עַל־ (was by) לָכִ֔ישׁ (Lachish)— וְכָל־ (and all) מֶמְשַׁלְתּ֖וֹ (the forces) עִמּ֑וֹ (with him) עַל־ (to) יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ (Hezekiah) מֶ֣לֶךְ (king) יְהוּדָ֔ה (of Judah) וְעַל־ (and to) כָּל־ (all) יְהוּדָ֛ה (Judah) אֲשֶׁ֥ר (who were) בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (in Jerusalem), לֵאמֹֽר׃ (saying), 10  כֹּ֣ה (Thus) אָמַ֔ר (says) סַנְחֵרִ֖יב (Sennacherib) מֶ֣לֶךְ (king) אַשּׁ֑וּר (of Assyria): עַל־ (Upon) מָה֙ (what) אַתֶּ֣ם (you⁺) בֹּטְחִ֔ים (do trust), וְיֹשְׁבִ֥ים (that you remain) בְּמָצ֖וֹר (under siege) בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (in Jerusalem)? 11  הֲלֹ֤א (Is not) יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ (Hezekiah) מַסִּ֣ית (inciting) אֶתְכֶ֔ם (you⁺) לָתֵ֣ת (to give over) אֶתְכֶ֔ם (yourselves) לָמ֛וּת (to die) בְּרָעָ֥ב (by famine) וּבְצָמָ֖א (and by thirst), לֵאמֹ֑ר (saying), יְהוָ֣ה (YHWH) אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ (our God) יַצִּילֵ֕נוּ (will snatch us up) מִכַּ֖ף (from the hand) מֶ֥לֶךְ (of the king) אַשּֽׁוּר׃ (of Assyria)? 12  הֲלֹא־ (Is it not) הוּא֙ (He for whom) יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ (Hezekiah) הֵסִ֥יר (has taken away) אֶת־ (-) בָּמֹתָ֖יו (His high places) וְאֶת־ (and) מִזְבְּחֹתָ֑יו (His altars), וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (and has spoken) לִֽיהוּדָ֤ה (to Judah) וְלִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ (and to Jerusalem), לֵאמֹ֔ר (saying), לִפְנֵ֨י (Before) מִזְבֵּ֧חַ (altar) אֶחָ֛ד (one) תִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ (you⁺ must worship), וְעָלָ֥יו (and on it) תַּקְטִֽירוּ׃ (burn incense)’

13  הֲלֹ֣א (do not) תֵדְע֗וּ (you⁺ know) מֶ֤ה (what) עָשִׂ֙יתִי֙ (have done) אֲנִ֣י (I) וַאֲבוֹתַ֔י (and my fathers) לְכֹ֖ל (to all) עַמֵּ֣י (the peoples) הָאֲרָצ֑וֹת (of the lands)? הֲיָכ֣וֹל (Being able) יָֽכְל֗וּ (have been able) אֱלֹהֵי֙ (the gods) גּוֹיֵ֣ (of the nations) הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת (of those lands) לְהַצִּ֥יל (to deliver) אֶת־ (-) אַרְצָ֖ם (their lands) מִיָּדִֽי׃ (from my hand)? 14  מִ֠י (Who) בְּֽכָל־ (among all) אֱלֹהֵ֞י (the gods) הַגּוֹיִ֤ם (of nations) הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ (these) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that) הֶחֱרִ֣ימוּ (devoted to destruction), אֲבוֹתַ֔י (my fathers) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that) יָכ֔וֹל (has been able) לְהַצִּ֥יל (to deliver) אֶת־ (-) עַמּ֖וֹ (his people) מִיָּדִ֑י (from my hand), כִּ֤י (that) יוּכַל֙ (should be able) אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם (your⁺ God) לְהַצִּ֥יל (to deliver) אֶתְכֶ֖ם (you⁺) מִיָּדִֽי׃ (from my hand)?

15  וְעַתָּ֡ה (And now) אַל־ (not) יַשִּׁיא֩ (do let deceive) אֶתְכֶ֨ם (you⁺) חִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ (Hezekiah) וְאַל־ (or) יַסִּ֨ית (persuade) אֶתְכֶ֣ם (you⁺) כָּזֹאת֮ (like this), וְאַל־ (and not) תַּאֲמִ֣ינוּ (do believe) לוֹ֒ (him), כִּי־ (for) לֹ֣א (not) יוּכַ֗ל (was able) כָּל־ (any) אֱל֙וֹהַ֙ (god) כָּל־ (of any) גּ֣וֹי (nation) וּמַמְלָכָ֔ה (or kingdom) לְהַצִּ֥יל (to deliver) עַמּ֛וֹ (his people) מִיָּדִ֖י (from my hand) וּמִיַּ֣ד (or from the hand) אֲבוֹתָ֑י (of my fathers). אַ֚ף (Also) כִּ֣י (surely) אֱ‍ֽלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם (your⁺ God) לֹא־ (not) יַצִּ֥ילוּ (will deliver) אֶתְכֶ֖ם (you⁺) מִיָּדִֽי׃ (from my hand)!

16  וְעוֹד֙ (And) דִּבְּר֣וּ (spoke) עֲבָדָ֔יו (his servants) עַל־ (against) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (God) וְעַ֖ל (and against) יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ (Hezekiah) עַבְדּֽוֹ׃ (His servant). 17  וּסְפָרִ֣ים (And letters) כָּתַ֔ב (he wrote) לְחָרֵ֕ף (to revile) לַיהוָ֖ה (YHWH) אֱלֹהֵ֣י (God) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (of Israel), וְלֵֽאמֹ֨ר (and to speak) עָלָ֜יו (against Him), לֵאמֹ֗ר (saying), כֵּֽאלֹהֵ֞י (As the gods) גּוֹיֵ֤ (of the nations) הָאֲרָצוֹת֙ (of the lands) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (that) לֹא־ (not) הִצִּ֤ילוּ (have delivered) עַמָּם֙ (their people) מִיָּדִ֔י (from my hand), כֵּ֣ן (so) לֹֽא־ (not) יַצִּ֞יל (will deliver) אֱלֹהֵ֧י (the God) יְחִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ (of Hezekiah) עַמּ֖וֹ (His people) מִיָּדִֽי׃ (from my hand).

18  וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ (And they called out) בְקוֹל־ (with a voice) גָּד֜וֹל (loud) יְהוּדִ֗ית (in Hebrew) עַל־ (to) עַ֤ם (the people) יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ (of Jerusalem) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (who were) עַל־ (on) הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה (the wall) לְיָֽרְאָ֖ם (to frighten them) וּֽלְבַהֲלָ֑ם (and trouble them), לְמַ֖עַן (that) יִלְכְּד֥וּ (they might capture) אֶת־ (-) הָעִֽיר׃ (the city). 19  וַֽיְדַבְּר֔וּ (And they spoke) אֶל־ (against) אֱלֹהֵ֖י (the God) יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (of Jerusalem) כְּעַ֗ל (as against) אֱלֹהֵי֙ (the gods) עַמֵּ֣י (of the people) הָאָ֔רֶץ (of the earth)— מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה (the work) יְדֵ֥י (of hands) הָאָדָֽם׃ס (of men).

Jerusalem Delivered from the Assyrians
(2 Kings 19:35–37; Isaiah 37:36–38)

20  וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֞ל (And prayed) יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ (Hezekiah) הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (the king) וִֽישַֽׁעְיָ֧הוּ (and Isaiah) בֶן־ (son) אָמ֛וֹץ (of Amoz) הַנָּבִ֖יא (the prophet) עַל־ (concerning) זֹ֑את (this), וַֽיִּזְעֲק֖וּ (and they cried out) הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃פ (to the heavens). 21  וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (And sent) יְהוָה֙ (YHWH) מַלְאָ֔ךְ (a messenger) וַיַּכְחֵ֞ד (and cut off) כָּל־ (every) גִּבּ֥וֹר (mighty man) חַ֙יִל֙ (of valor) וְנָגִ֣יד (and leader) וְשָׂ֔ר (and captain) בְּמַחֲנֵ֖ה (in the camp) מֶ֣לֶךְ (of the king) אַשּׁ֑וּר (of Assyria). וַיָּשָׁב֩ (And he returned) בְּבֹ֨שֶׁת (with shame) פָּנִ֜ים (of face) לְאַרְצ֗וֹ (to his land). וַיָּבֹא֙ (And he entered) בֵּ֣ית (the house) אֱלֹהָ֔יו (of his god), וּמִיצִיאוֹ (and those coming out) מֵעָ֔יו (of his bowels) שָׁ֖ם (there) הִפִּילֻ֥הוּ (struck him down) בֶחָֽרֶב׃ (with the sword).

22  וַיּוֹשַׁע֩ (And saved) יְהוָ֨ה (YHWH) אֶת־ (-) יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ (Hezekiah) וְאֵ֣ת׀ (and) יֹשְׁבֵ֣י (the dwellers) יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם (of Jerusalem) מִיַּ֛ד (from the hand) סַנְחֵרִ֥יב (of Sennacherib) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (king) אַשּׁ֖וּר (of Assyria) וּמִיַּד־ (and from the hand) כֹּ֑ל (of all), וַֽיְנַהֲלֵ֖ם (and he gave them rest) מִסָּבִֽיב׃ (all around). 23  וְ֠רַבִּים (And many) מְבִיאִ֨ים (brought) מִנְחָ֤ה (gifts) לַיהוָה֙ (to YHWH) לִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם (at Jerusalem), וּמִ֨גְדָּנ֔וֹת (and precious things) לִֽיחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ (to Hezekiah) מֶ֣לֶךְ (king) יְהוּדָ֑ה (of Judah), וַיִּנַּשֵּׂ֛א (and he was lifted up) לְעֵינֵ֥י (in the eyes) כָל־ (of all) הַגּוֹיִ֖ם (nations) מֵאַֽחֲרֵי־ (after) כֵֽן׃ס (this).

Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery
(2 Kings 20:1–11; Isaiah 38:1–8)

24  בַּיָּמִ֣ים (In the days) הָהֵ֔ם (those) חָלָ֥ה (was sick) יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ (Hezekiah) עַד־ (even) לָמ֑וּת (to death), וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ (and he prayed) אֶל־ (to) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH), וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (and He spoke) ל֔וֹ (to him) וּמוֹפֵ֖ת (and a sign) נָ֥תַן (gave) לֽוֹ׃ (to him). 25  וְלֹא־ (Not) כִגְמֻ֤ל (according to the deed) עָלָיו֙ (to him) הֵשִׁ֣יב (did repay) יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ (Hezekiah), כִּ֥י (for) גָבַ֖הּ (was lifted up) לִבּ֑וֹ (his heart); וַיְהִ֤י (and there was) עָלָיו֙ (upon him) קֶ֔צֶף (wrath), וְעַל־ (and upon) יְהוּדָ֖ה (Judah) וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (and Jerusalem).

26  וַיִּכָּנַ֤ע (And humbled himself) יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ (Hezekiah) בְּגֹ֣בַהּ (for the loftiness) לִבּ֔וֹ (of his heart), ה֖וּא (he) וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י (and the dwellers) יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (of Jerusalem), וְלֹא־ (so that not) בָ֤א (did come) עֲלֵיהֶם֙ (upon them) קֶ֣צֶף (the wrath) יְהוָ֔ה (of YHWH) בִּימֵ֖י (in the days) יְחִזְקִיָּֽהוּ׃ (of Hezekiah).

27  וַיְהִ֧י (And were) לִֽיחִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ (unto Hezekiah) עֹ֥שֶׁר (riches) וְכָב֖וֹד (and honor) הַרְבֵּ֣ה (being great) מְאֹ֑ד (very), וְאֹֽצָר֣וֹת (and treasuries) עָֽשָׂה־ (he made) ל֠וֹ (to himself) לְכֶ֨סֶף (for silver), וּלְזָהָ֜ב (and for gold), וּלְאֶ֣בֶן (and for stones) יְקָרָ֗ה (precious), וְלִבְשָׂמִים֙ (and for spices), וּלְמָ֣גִנִּ֔ים (and for shields), וּלְכֹ֖ל (and for all kinds) כְּלֵ֥י (of vessels) חֶמְדָּֽה׃ (desirable), 28  וּמִ֨סְכְּנ֔וֹת (and storehouses) לִתְבוּאַ֥ת (for the harvest) דָּגָ֖ן (of grain) וְתִיר֣וֹשׁ (and wine) וְיִצְהָ֑ר (and oil), וְאֻֽרָוֺת֙ (and stalls) לְכָל־ (for all kinds) בְּהֵמָ֣ה (of livestock) וּבְהֵמָ֔ה (and livestock), וַעֲדָרִ֖ים (and herds) לָאֲוֵרֽוֹת׃ (for the stalls). 29  וְעָרִים֙ (And cities) עָ֣שָׂה (he made) ל֔וֹ (for himself), וּמִקְנֵה־ (and possessions) צֹ֥אן (of flock) וּבָקָ֖ר (and herd) לָרֹ֑ב (in abundance), כִּ֤י (for) נָֽתַן־ (had given) לוֹ֙ (to him) אֱלֹהִ֔ים (God) רְכ֖וּשׁ (property) רַ֥ב (much) מְאֹֽד׃ (very).

30  וְה֣וּא (And himself) יְחִזְקִיָּ֗הוּ (Hezekiah) סָתַם֙ (stopped) אֶת־ (-) מוֹצָ֞א (the outlet) מֵימֵ֤י (of the waters) גִיחוֹן֙ (of Gihon) הָֽעֶלְי֔וֹן (the Upper), וַֽיַּישְּׁרֵ֥ם (and he directed them) לְמַֽטָּה־ (beneath) מַּעְרָ֖בָה (to the west) לְעִ֣יר (of the City) דָּוִ֑יד (of David). וַיַּצְלַ֥ח (And prospered) יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ (Hezekiah) בְּכָֽל־ (in all) מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ׃ (his works). 31  וְכֵ֞ן (And so) בִּמְלִיצֵ֣י׀ (with the ambassadors) שָׂרֵ֣י (of the heads) בָּבֶ֗ל (of Babylon), הַֽמְשַׁלְּחִ֤ים (those sending) עָלָיו֙ (to him) לִדְרֹ֗שׁ (to inquire about) הַמּוֹפֵת֙ (the sign) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that) הָיָ֣ה (was done) בָאָ֔רֶץ (in the land), עֲזָב֖וֹ (withdrew from him) הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים (God) לְנַ֨סּוֹת֔וֹ (in order to test him), לָדַ֖עַת (that He might know) כָּל־ (all) בִּלְבָבֽוֹ׃ (in his heart).

Hezekiah’s Death

32  וְיֶ֛תֶר (And the rest) דִּבְרֵ֥י (of the acts) יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ (of Hezekiah) וַחֲסָדָ֑יו (and his loving devotion), הִנָּ֣ם (indeed) כְּתוּבִ֗ים (they are written) בַּחֲז֞וֹן (in the vision) יְשַֽׁעְיָ֤הוּ (of Isaiah) בֶן־ (son) אָמוֹץ֙ (of Amoz), הַנָּבִ֔יא (the prophet), עַל־ (and in) סֵ֥פֶר (the Book) מַלְכֵי־ (of the Kings) יְהוּדָ֖ה (of Judah) וְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (and Israel). 33  וַיִּשְׁכַּ֨ב (And rested) יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ (Hezekiah) עִם־ (with) אֲבֹתָ֗יו (his fathers), וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻהוּ֮ (and they buried him) בְּֽמַעֲלֵה֮ (in the upper) קִבְרֵ֣י (tombs) בְנֵי־ (of the sons) דָוִיד֒ (of David); וְכָבוֹד֙ (and honor) עָֽשׂוּ־ (was done) ל֣וֹ (to him) בְמוֹת֔וֹ (at his death), כָּל־ (and all) יְהוּדָ֖ה (Judah) וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י (and the dwellers) יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (of Jerusalem). וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ (And reigned) מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה (Manasseh) בְנ֖וֹ (his son) תַּחְתָּֽיו׃פ (in his place).