LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.

2 KINGS 19:16KJV
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2 Kings 19:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 19:16 mean?

2 Kings 19:16 is a prayer where Hezekiah asks the LORD to pay attention to his situation by listening and seeing what is happening, specifically the insulting words sent by Sennacherib against God. Hezekiah is pleading for God to notice the disrespect shown by the Assyrian king and to respond.

Hezekiah, king of Judah, is speaking directly to the LORD (H3068), using language that pictures God as bending down to listen and opening His eyes to see. The situation is desperate: Sennacherib, king of Assyria, has threatened Jerusalem and mocked the living God (H2416, H430). Hezekiah’s prayer is both humble and bold, asking God to personally witness the offense and act on behalf of His own honor.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 19:16

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh, H3068): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, used here to emphasize a direct, covenant relationship.
  • Reproach (חָרַף, charaf, H2778): This word means to insult or taunt. Hezekiah is not just asking for help; he is pointing out that Sennacherib’s words are a direct insult to God Himself, not just to Israel.
  • Living (חַי, chai, H2416): Calling God the “living” God stresses that He is real and active, in contrast to the powerless idols worshiped by others.

Why 2 Kings 19:16 matters

  • This verse shows that Hezekiah’s main concern is not just for his own safety, but for God’s reputation in the face of public insult.
  • The language of “bow down your ear” and “open your eyes” is a vivid, personal way of asking God to be attentive, showing the closeness Hezekiah feels in prayer.
  • The verse sets up the contrast between the living God and the false gods of the nations, a theme that runs through the whole chapter and shapes the outcome of the story.

Where else these words appear

“Sennacherib” Hebrew H5576 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,
  • Isaiah 36:1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

“open” Hebrew H6491 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
  • 2 Kings 6:20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
  • Isaiah 37:17 Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.

“reproach” Hebrew H2778 · used in 40 verses

  • Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
  • 1 Chronicles 20:7 But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him.
  • Psalms 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.