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 then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:
2 KINGS 18:31KJVWhat does 2 Kings 18:31 mean?
2 Kings 18:31 records the king of Assyria’s message to the people of Jerusalem, urging them not to listen to their own king, Hezekiah. The Assyrian king promises that if they surrender and make peace with him by giving a gift, they will be allowed to stay in their land and enjoy their own food and water in safety.
In this verse, the Assyrian spokesman is trying to persuade the people inside Jerusalem’s walls during a siege. He tells them to ignore Hezekiah’s leadership and instead trust the Assyrian king’s offer of security and normal life if they cooperate. This is part of a larger attempt to break the people’s morale and convince them to surrender without a fight.
The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 18:31
- "Hearken" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means to listen or pay attention, and here it is used as a command not to listen to Hezekiah. The forceful tone shows the Assyrian king’s attempt to undermine Hezekiah’s authority.
- "Present" (בְּרָכָה, berakhah): While this word often means "blessing," here it refers to a gift or tribute. The Assyrian king is demanding a token of submission, not simply a friendly gesture.
- "Cistern" (בּוֹר, bor): This word means a man-made water storage pit. Mentioning drinking from one’s own cistern highlights the promise of personal security and normal life if the people surrender.
Why 2 Kings 18:31 matters
- This verse shows the psychological tactics used in ancient warfare, where enemy leaders tried to turn a city’s people against their own rulers.
- The promise of "every man of his own vine and fig tree" is a familiar biblical image of peace and prosperity, making the offer sound especially tempting.
- Understanding this verse helps clarify the pressure Hezekiah and Jerusalem faced, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow in the chapter.