Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

2 KINGS 19:22KJV
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2 Kings 19:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 19:22 mean?

In 2 Kings 19:22, God confronts the Assyrian king for his proud and insulting speech. The verse identifies the one the king has attacked with his words: the Holy One of Israel.

God’s answer comes through the prophet Isaiah, who speaks on God’s behalf. The questions make the king face the identity of the one he has insulted. The image of lifting up his eyes pictures someone looking down on another with pride.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 19:22

  • “reproached” — חָרַף (ḥaraf): This word can mean to insult or treat with contempt. It gives the accusation the force of a deliberate put-down.
  • “blasphemed” — גָּדַף (gadaf): This word carries the sense of reviling or speaking abusively. Here it describes the king’s hostile words as an offense against God.
  • “Holy” — קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh): This word means holy, or set apart. In the title “the Holy One of Israel,” it marks out the one the Assyrian king has dared to insult.

Why 2 Kings 19:22 matters

  • The verse shows that the Assyrian threat involved more than a dispute between kings. Earlier, the Assyrian messenger had urged Jerusalem’s people not to trust their God to rescue them, comparing him with the gods of other lands (verses 10–12).
  • The title “the Holy One of Israel” identifies the God under discussion. The king’s words concerned the God worshiped by the people whose city he threatened.
  • The questions prepare for a direct answer to the king’s boasting. In verses 23–24, God continues by recalling the king’s claims about what he has accomplished.

Where else these words appear

“blasphemed” Hebrew H1442 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 15:30 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
  • Psalms 44:16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
  • Isaiah 37:23 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

“reproached” 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.

“high” Hebrew H4791 · used in 52 verses

  • Judges 5:18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
  • Psalms 93:4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
  • Isaiah 37:24 By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel.

“Holy” Hebrew H6918 · used in 106 verses

  • Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
  • Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.