2 Kings 19:33
By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easy to miss here is the unwavering confidence in God's decree, not just about the outcome, but the manner of the enemy's defeat. The Lord isn't just saying "they won't win"; He's declaring they'll retreat in the exact same way they advanced, a stark military humiliation showing God's complete control over the enemy's entire campaign. This isn't just a win, it's a divinely orchestrated mockery of their arrogance.
King Hezekiah and Jerusalem are under siege by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who has already conquered many surrounding cities. After Hezekiah prays and the prophet Isaiah delivers God's message of assurance, this verse is spoken, declaring that Sennacherib will miraculously withdraw his army from Jerusalem without a fight, mirroring his aggressive approach with a sudden retreat. The immediate aftermath sees the Assyrian army decimated by an angel of the Lord overnight, fulfilling this prophecy and saving the city.
He came with overwhelming force, expecting total victory. But God had a different plan for his invasion.
Hezekiah's enemy, Sennacherib king of Assyria, arrived with a massive army, intending to conquer Jerusalem. He had boastfully threatened God Himself. But this verse is God's direct rebuttal.
A Futile Invasion
The prophecy is clear: 'By the way that he came, by the same he shall return.' This means Sennacherib's invasion would be a complete failure. He wouldn't conquer the city, and his army would be routed, retreating in the same direction they came from.
God's Sovereign Word
This isn't just a prediction; it's a divine declaration. 'Declares the LORD' underscores that this word comes directly from God, carrying His absolute authority and power. He promises to protect His people and His chosen city.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Kings 19:33 is available in the Sola app.
The enemy was at the gates, their intentions clear. Yet, God declared, 'he shall not come into this city.'
Jerusalem was more than just a city; it was the dwelling place of God's name. Sennacherib's threat was not just against a political entity, but against God's chosen people and His sacred space.
A Divine Boundary
God's statement, 'he shall not come into this city,' acts as an impenetrable boundary. It's a promise of protection rooted in His covenant faithfulness. Despite the military might arrayed against it, the city's ultimate defense was divine.
The Lord's Vindication
This promise was ultimately fulfilled in a miraculous way. The Bible records that an angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (2 Kings 19:35). Sennacherib's invasion was halted, and Jerusalem remained secure, vindicating God's power and His promise to protect His people.
This prophecy spoken by Isaiah to King Hezekiah directly addresses the immediate threat of the Assyrian army under Sennacherib. It highlights God's direct intervention to save Jerusalem, emphasizing that the formidable invader would be miraculously turned back without entering the city he had surrounded.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Israel
King Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria conquers northern Israel, deports many Israelites, and establishes Assyrian provincial rule.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The capital of the northern kingdom, Samaria, falls to the Assyrians after a three-year siege, leading to the exile of the remaining Israelites.
c. 705 BC
Sennacherib becomes King of Assyria
Sennacherib ascends to the throne of the mighty Assyrian Empire, inheriting a vast territory and a powerful military machine.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib invades Judah
Sennacherib launches a massive invasion of Judah, conquering many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem, the capital.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian army withdraws from Jerusalem
Despite the siege and the surrounding devastation, Sennacherib's army unexpectedly withdraws from Jerusalem, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.
This passage echoes the same divine promise of protection for Jerusalem, emphasizing that the city will not fall to the invader, mirroring the assurance given in 2 Kings 19.
Isaiah 10:24-27Isaiah prophesies against Assyria's arrogant king (Sennacherib), stating that his yoke will be broken from Israel's neck, which directly relates to the Lord's decree in 2 Kings 19 that the Assyrian king would not enter Jerusalem.
Psalm 46:1-7This psalm speaks of God as a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, even when nations rage and kingdoms totter, reflecting the powerful divine intervention described when the Assyrian army threatened Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 32:1-23This parallel account provides more detail about Hezekiah's faith and the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from Sennacherib's siege, reinforcing the message that God fights for His people.
What's easy to miss here is the unwavering confidence in God's decree, not just about the outcome, but the manner of the enemy's defeat. The Lord isn't just saying "they won't win"; He's declaring they'll retreat in the exact same way they advanced, a stark military humiliation showing God's complete control over the enemy's entire campaign. This isn't just a win, it's a divinely orchestrated mockery of their arrogance.
King Hezekiah and Jerusalem are under siege by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who has already conquered many surrounding cities. After Hezekiah prays and the prophet Isaiah delivers God's message of assurance, this verse is spoken, declaring that Sennacherib will miraculously withdraw his army from Jerusalem without a fight, mirroring his aggressive approach with a sudden retreat. The immediate aftermath sees the Assyrian army decimated by an angel of the Lord overnight, fulfilling this prophecy and saving the city.
King Hezekiah and Jerusalem are under siege by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who has already conquered many surrounding cities. After Hezekiah prays and the prophet Isaiah delivers God's message of assurance, this verse is spoken, declaring that Sennacherib will miraculously withdraw his army from Jerusalem without a fight, mirroring his aggressive approach with a sudden retreat. The immediate aftermath sees the Assyrian army decimated by an angel of the Lord overnight, fulfilling this prophecy and saving the city.
"By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the LORD." — What's easy to miss here is the unwavering confidence in God's decree, not just about the outcome, but the manner of the enemy's defeat. The Lord isn't just saying "they won't win"; He's declarin…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
