And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house.

2 KINGS 18:15KJV
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2 Kings 18:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 18:15 mean?

2 Kings 18:15 describes King Hezekiah giving all the silver found in the temple of the LORD and in the royal treasury to the Assyrian king’s representative. Hezekiah did this as a payment, hoping to satisfy the demands of the Assyrian empire and avoid further conflict.

In this situation, Hezekiah is under pressure from the powerful Assyrian army, which is threatening Jerusalem. Hezekiah chooses to gather all available silver from both the temple (the house of the LORD) and his own palace stores to pay off the Assyrian king. This verse shows the seriousness of the threat and the lengths to which Hezekiah is willing to go to protect his people.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 18:15

  • "Hezekiah" (חִזְקִיָּהוּ, ḥizqiyyāhū): The name means "Yahweh strengthens." This detail highlights the tension between Hezekiah’s name and his actions under pressure.
  • "Silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph): This word refers to money or precious metal, emphasizing that Hezekiah gave up valuable resources, not just ceremonial items.
  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayit): Used for both the temple ("house of the LORD") and the king’s palace, showing that Hezekiah stripped both religious and royal treasuries.
  • "Treasures" (אוֹצָר, otsar): This word means stored wealth or valuables, underlining that Hezekiah handed over the kingdom’s reserves, not just spare change.

Why 2 Kings 18:15 matters

  • This verse clears up the extent of Hezekiah’s response: he did not just offer a token payment, but emptied both the temple and royal treasuries.
  • The verse highlights the desperation and vulnerability of Judah in the face of Assyrian power, setting up the dramatic events that follow in the chapter.
  • Understanding this payment helps explain the tension between faith in God and political survival that runs through Hezekiah’s story.

Where else these words appear

“treasures” Hebrew H214 · used in 70 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:1 Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.
  • Isaiah 2:7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:

“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;