Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:

2 KINGS 18:29KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 18:29 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 18:29 mean?

2 Kings 18:29 records a warning from the Assyrian king’s representative to the people of Jerusalem. He tells them not to trust their own king, Hezekiah, because he claims that Hezekiah cannot rescue them from the Assyrian king’s power.

The speaker delivers the warning as a message from his king, not as his own private opinion. The phrase “out of his hand” pictures escape from someone’s control or power.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 18:29

  • “deceive” — נָשָׁא (nasha): The word can mean to lead someone astray or cause someone to believe something false. The speaker uses the word to cast Hezekiah as someone who would mislead the people.
  • “hand” — יָד (yad): The word means a hand and can also represent power or control. Here, the image gives a concrete picture of the Assyrian king’s hold over those he threatens.

Why 2 Kings 18:29 matters

  • The warning is part of an attempt to turn Jerusalem’s people against Hezekiah. The speaker addresses the people within hearing of the city wall, even though Hezekiah’s officials are present (2 Kings 18:26–28).
  • The speaker’s claim should be heard as a threat from an enemy, not as a judgment the verse itself settles. He speaks for the king of Assyria while insisting that Hezekiah “shall not be able to deliver you.”
  • The next verse shows that the challenge reaches beyond Hezekiah’s own strength. The speaker also tells the people not to let Hezekiah persuade them to trust in the Lord (2 Kings 18:30).

Where else these words appear

“deceive” Hebrew H5377 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
  • Isaiah 19:13 The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.
  • Jeremiah 29:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

“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;