Question 1

What does 2 Kings 19:21 mean?

Accepted Answer

2 Kings 19:21 says that God, speaking through His prophet, declares that Jerusalem—called here the "virgin daughter of Zion" and "daughter of Jerusalem"—has rejected and mocked the enemy king who threatens her. The verse paints a picture of Jerusalem not being afraid, but instead showing scorn and confidence in the face of this threat. In this scene, the prophet Isaiah is delivering God's message to King Hezekiah of Judah during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. The "virgin daughter of Zion" is a poetic way of describing Jerusalem as pure and untouched by conquest. The verse uses strong imagery—despising, laughing, and shaking the head—to show that Jerusalem will not fall to the Assyrians, but instead will treat their threats with contempt.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 19:21

Accepted Answer

"virgin" (בְּתוּלָה, bətulah): This word means a young woman who has not been violated or conquered, emphasizing Jerusalem's security and purity up to this point. "despised" (בָּזָה, bazah): This word means to treat with contempt or to consider worthless. It highlights how Jerusalem, through God's promise, sees the enemy's threats as empty. "scorn" (לָעַג, la‘ag): This word refers to mocking or ridiculing. The verse uses it to show that Jerusalem is not just unafraid, but actually ridicules the Assyrian king. "shaken" (נוּעַ, nua‘): This word means to shake or wag, often used for shaking the head in derision. It adds to the image of Jerusalem openly showing disdain toward the enemy.

Question 3

Why 2 Kings 19:21 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clears up the idea that Jerusalem was helpless or terrified; instead, it shows that God’s people, through faith, could look down on even the mightiest threats. The poetic language emphasizes the personal relationship between God and Jerusalem, calling her "daughter" and "virgin," which underscores her value and protected status. In the wider story, this verse marks a turning point where God’s promise of deliverance is made clear, setting the stage for the defeat of the Assyrian army.

2 Kings 19:21 (KJV)