Keraia
2 Kings 18

2 Kings 18:14

Sennacherib Invades Judah · 2 Kings 18:13–16
Read 2 Kings 18

Translations

Modern
So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
Traditional
And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
Literal
And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; turn away from me; that which you impose on me I will bear.” And the king of Assyria laid upon Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
Latin
Tunc misit Ezechias rex Juda nuntios ad regem Assyriorum in Lachis, dicens: Peccavi: recede a me, et omne quod imposueris mihi, feram. Indixit itaque rex Assyriorum Ezechiæ regi Judæ trecenta talenta argenti, et triginta talenta auri.

Original

Hebrew
English
So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

Notes

2 Kings 18:14

  • Lachish was southwest of Jerusalem, near the Philistine border.

  • I have done wrong (literally I have sinned): Hezekiah's message to Sennacherib used careful diplomatic language.

  • Sennacherib claimed he received eleven tons of silver, one ton of gold, many jewels, and rich treasures from Hezekiah. He also said he received Hezekiah's daughter, the women of his harem, and his male and female singers.

Events

Measurements

  • three hundred talents of silver: About 11.3 t (10.3 mt)
  • thirty talents of gold: About 1.13 t (1.03 mt)

Parallels

2 Chronicles 32:1–8 Psalm 46:1–11

People

Hezekiah: A righteous king of Judah Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Assyria: A powerful ancient empire, often in conflict with Israel Lachish: A fortified city in Judah

Glossary

Assyria, Assyrians Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Cup-Bearer Hezekiah Inscriptions Kings, Books of First and Second Kohath, Kohathites Lachish Minerals and Metals Offend, Offense Sennacherib Tax, Taxation Tributary, Tribute Warfare

Topics

Assyria: Sennacherib Assyria: Sennacherib King of Bought off by Hezekiah Jerusalem: Besieged by Sennacherib Lachish: Besieged by Sennacherib Prophecies Concerning Israel: The King of Assyria Invades Judah, and Blasphemes the God of Judah the First Temple: Its Treasures Given by Hezekiah to the Assyrians to Procure