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.

2 KINGS 18:14KJV
Know the Bible

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.

Where else these words appear

“Lachish” Hebrew H3923 · used in 22 verses

  • Joshua 10:3 Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
  • Joshua 10:35 And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.

“talents” Hebrew H3603 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • 2 Samuel 12:30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H2396 · used in 78 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
  • Isaiah 36:16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;

“Assyria” Hebrew H804 · used in 138 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 23:29 In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
  • Isaiah 36:13 Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.