2 Kings 18:14 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 18:14 mean?

2 Kings 18:14 describes how King Hezekiah of Judah sent a message to the king of Assyria at Lachish, admitting fault and asking him to withdraw. Hezekiah agreed to pay whatever penalty the Assyrian king demanded, which turned out to be a large sum of silver and gold.

Hezekiah, facing the threat of the Assyrian army, reached out to the Assyrian king (who was attacking the city of Lachish) and confessed, “I have offended.” Hezekiah offered to accept any terms to stop the attack, and the Assyrian king set a heavy tribute: three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. This verse shows Hezekiah’s attempt to negotiate for peace by submitting to the Assyrian demands.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 18:14

• The word "offended" (חָטָא, ḥāṭā’) means to sin or do wrong. Hezekiah uses strong language, admitting guilt or failure before the Assyrian king, which shows his desperate position.
• The verb "return" (שׁוּב, shuv) here means to turn back or withdraw. Hezekiah is asking the Assyrian king to stop his advance and leave Judah alone.
• The word "bear" (נָשָׂא, nāśā’) means to carry or endure. Hezekiah is saying he will accept or endure whatever burden or penalty is imposed.
• The amounts "three hundred talents of silver" and "thirty talents of gold" (שָׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת כִּכָּר כֶּסֶף, shalosh me’ot kikkar kesef; שְׁלֹשִׁים כִּכָּר זָהָב, sheloshim kikkar zahav) show the tribute was extremely costly, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

Why 2 Kings 18:14 matters

• This verse shows Hezekiah’s vulnerability and willingness to humble himself before a foreign power, which contrasts with his earlier resistance and later trust in God.
• The mention of Lachish sets the historical context, as it was a major city under siege, emphasizing the real and immediate threat Judah faced.
• The heavy tribute demanded by Assyria helps explain the financial and spiritual strain on Judah at this time, setting up the tension for the events that follow in the chapter.