2 Kings 19:21-22
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It's easy to see this as just a taunt, but notice how God describes Zion as a "virgin daughter" – a profound image of purity and innocence. This isn't just any insult; it's God highlighting that this pure entity, the very symbol of His chosen people, is being treated with utter contempt by their enemy. The deep insult is not just to the people, but to God's own sacred commitment to them.
This is the word that the LORD has spoken concerning him: “She despises you, she scorns you— the virgin daughter of Zion; she wags her head behind you— the daughter of Jerusalem. “Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights? Against the Holy One of Israel!
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Hezekiah has just heard the terrifying threats of Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, through his messengers. In response, Hezekiah tears his clothes, prays for God's intervention, and sends his own officials to the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah, in turn, pronounces God's judgment on Sennacherib, and this verse is the beginning of that prophetic word, contrasting Jerusalem's defiance with Assyria's arrogance.
Sennacherib, the mighty king of Assyria, was utterly convinced of his own power. But God had a very different assessment of him.
In this passage, God uses the prophet Isaiah to deliver a scathing rebuke against Sennacherib. The king, who had just boasted and threatened Jerusalem, is portrayed as someone utterly despised and scorned.
A King's Pride Meets Divine Scorn
Who is this 'virgin daughter of Zion,' and why is her reaction so significant?
The verse personifies Jerusalem as a "virgin daughter." This literary device gives a voice to God's people, highlighting their perspective and God's identification with their plight.
The Dignity of God's People
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the covenant-making God of Israel. It represents His self-existence, eternal nature, and His faithfulness to His redemptive promises.
betulat bat tsiyon · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A figurative title for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It emphasizes the city's relationship with God, its spiritual vulnerability, and the expectation of purity and faithfulness to the covenant.
qadosh yisra'el · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A title emphasizing God's absolute moral purity, transcendence, and set-apartness from all creation and sin. It highlights His unique authority and the danger of opposing Him.
This prophecy is delivered at the height of the Assyrian threat, with Jerusalem under siege. It highlights the deep humiliation and scorn the Assyrians, embodied by Sennacherib, inflicted upon Judah, even as God promised ultimate deliverance.
732 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Israel
King Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria conquers large parts of the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many citizens. This event signals Assyria's growing power and ambition in the region.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, falls to the Assyrians under King Sargon II. The remaining population is exiled, and the northern kingdom ceases to exist.
705 BC
Sennacherib Becomes Assyrian King
Sennacherib ascends to the throne of the vast Assyrian Empire. He faces revolts in various parts of his empire, including Babylon and Judah.
701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Campaign in Judah
Sennacherib launches a major military campaign into the Levant, targeting Judah. He conquers many fortified cities, including Lachish, and besieges Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
Sennacherib's Assyrian army surrounds Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah delivers God's message of defiance and eventual deliverance to King Hezekiah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Withdrawal from Jerusalem
The Assyrian army mysteriously withdraws from Jerusalem. According to the biblical account, an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 soldiers overnight, forcing Sennacherib to return to Nineveh.
This passage is the parallel account of the same prophecy, highlighting the divine origin and certainty of God's judgment against Sennacherib.
Jeremiah 48:2This verse describes Moab's arrogance and scorn directed at its neighbors, mirroring the insolent attitude Sennacherib displayed towards Jerusalem.
Psalm 2:1-4This psalm speaks of earthly rulers raging against the Lord and His Anointed, showing how their pride and scorn ultimately fall before God's sovereign power.
Lamentations 2:15This verse reflects on Jerusalem's joy being turned to sorrow, connecting to the idea of the 'virgin daughter of Zion' facing humiliation and devastation, though in this case as a consequence of sin.
It's easy to see this as just a taunt, but notice how God describes Zion as a "virgin daughter" – a profound image of purity and innocence. This isn't just any insult; it's God highlighting that this pure entity, the very symbol of His chosen people, is being treated with utter contempt by their enemy. The deep insult is not just to the people, but to God's own sacred commitment to them.
King Hezekiah has just heard the terrifying threats of Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, through his messengers. In response, Hezekiah tears his clothes, prays for God's intervention, and sends his own officials to the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah, in turn, pronounces God's judgment on Sennacherib, and this verse is the beginning of that prophetic word, contrasting Jerusalem's defiance with Assyria's arrogance.
King Hezekiah has just heard the terrifying threats of Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, through his messengers. In response, Hezekiah tears his clothes, prays for God's intervention, and sends his own officials to the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah, in turn, pronounces God's judgment on Sennacherib, and this verse is the beginning of that prophetic word, contrasting Jerusalem's defiance with Assyria's arrogance.
"This is the word that the LORD has spoken concerning him:
“She despises you, she scorns you—
the virgin daughter of Zion;
she wags her head behind you—
the daughter of Jerusalem. “Whom have you mocked and reviled?…" — It's easy to see this as just a taunt, but notice how God describes Zion as a "virgin daughter" – a profound image of purity and innocence. This isn't just any insult; it's God highlighting that this…
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Last reviewed October 2026