Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, the king of Hena, or the king of Ivvah?’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that the Assyrian king’s boast isn't just about conquering cities, but about eradicating their leaders and thus their entire identity and hope. It’s a chilling reminder that when empires fall, their kings and even their deities often vanish into obscurity, swallowed by a greater power.
Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, the king of Hena, or the king of Ivvah?’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Hezekiah has just received the blasphemous taunts of the Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, which are repeated by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. In response, Hezekiah prays to God, and Isaiah delivers a prophecy of Assyria's downfall. This verse is part of Sennacherib's own threatening message to Hezekiah, mimicking Rabshakeh's earlier words by questioning where the conquered kings of other nations are now, implying they too will fall before Assyria.
The Assyrian commander doesn't just threaten Jerusalem; he lists defeated kings. What's the point of this roll call?
The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, isn't just delivering a message from his king; he's taunting Jerusalem. His rhetorical question, 'Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad…?' isn't a genuine inquiry. It's a boast, a display of Assyria's overwhelming power. He's listing kings and cities that have already fallen to the Assyrian empire. These weren't minor chieftains; they were rulers of significant cities and regions. By naming them, he implies that Jerusalem and its king, Hezekiah, will suffer the same fate. Their gods, like these kings, have proven powerless against Assyria.
Some of these cities and kings are known, others are obscure. What does this mix tell us about the reach of Assyria's power?
The list of kings and cities mentioned – Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah – represents the vast reach of the Assyrian empire. Some, like Hamath and Arpad, were well-known northern Syrian kingdoms. Sepharvaim was a significant Mesopotamian city. Hena and Ivvah are more obscure, possibly smaller cities or regions, but their inclusion signifies that no place, great or small, was safe from Assyrian conquest. Some scholars connect Ivvah to 'Ava' mentioned in 2 Kings 17:24, where Assyria brought colonists to Samaria after deporting its inhabitants. This suggests that these defeated kings and their peoples were either killed, exiled, or assimilated into the Assyrian system, their former power reduced to nothing.
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The rhetorical question in Isaiah 37:13 highlights the utter devastation wrought by the Assyrian Empire. By listing the kings of once-proud cities like Hamath and Arpad, Sennacherib (through his messenger) implies that none can stand against Assyria's might, aiming to crush Jerusalem's hope by showcasing his past victories over these very places.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian conquests under Tiglath-Pileser III
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under Tiglath-Pileser III, expanded its influence, conquering many cities and kingdoms in the region, including significant areas in Syria and Mesopotamia. Hamath and Arpad were among the cities that fell under Assyrian control.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Shalmaneser V. Assyria then deported many Israelites and resettled the land with people from other conquered regions, including those from Hamath and possibly other cities mentioned.
c. 705-681 BC
Sennacherib's reign and Babylonian campaign
Sennacherib became king of Assyria and continued his father Sargon II's expansionist policies. He conducted campaigns against various regions, including Babylonia and Judah.
701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's campaign against Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria launched a major campaign against the Levant, besieging many cities in Judah and capturing others. Jerusalem itself was besieged but famously did not fall. This event is the direct historical backdrop for Isaiah's prophecy.
This passage is a direct parallel, as the Assyrian commander Rabshakeh previously taunted Hezekiah by asking where the gods of these same cities were, implying they couldn't save them.
2 Kings 17:24This verse explains that colonists from 'Ava' (likely the same as Ivvah) were brought into Samaria after the northern kingdom fell, highlighting the historical displacement and conquest associated with these regions.
Jeremiah 49:23This passage mentions Damascus being put to shame because it feared news of disaster, similar to how the kings of these cities were likely overwhelmed and defeated by Assyria's reputation and power.
Ezekiel 27:18This chapter describes the trade and downfall of Tyre, mentioning its merchants trading with Damascus and Hamath, showing the interconnectedness of these ancient cities within the broader political and economic landscape of the region.
cambridgeIsaiah 37:13: "Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?"
13 . Hamath … Arphad … Sepharvaim ] See ch. Isaiah 36:19 . Hena and Ivah (R.V. more correctly, Ivvah ) are not known. The latter is probably the same as Ava or Avva ( 2 Kings 17:24 ).
jfbIsaiah 37:13: "Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?"
- Hena … Ivah—in Babylonia. From Ava colonists had been brought to Samaria (2Ki 17:24).
This verse highlights that the Assyrian king’s boast isn't just about conquering cities, but about eradicating their leaders and thus their entire identity and hope. It’s a chilling reminder that when empires fall, their kings and even their deities often vanish into obscurity, swallowed by a greater power.
Hezekiah has just received the blasphemous taunts of the Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, which are repeated by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. In response, Hezekiah prays to God, and Isaiah delivers a prophecy of Assyria's downfall. This verse is part of Sennacherib's own threatening message to Hezekiah, mimicking Rabshakeh's earlier words by questioning where the conquered kings of other nations are now, implying they too will fall before Assyria.
Hezekiah has just received the blasphemous taunts of the Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, which are repeated by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. In response, Hezekiah prays to God, and Isaiah delivers a prophecy of Assyria's downfall. This verse is part of Sennacherib's own threatening message to Hezekiah, mimicking Rabshakeh's earlier words by questioning where the conquered kings of other nations are now, implying they too will fall before Assyria.
"Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, the king of Hena, or the king of Ivvah?’”" — This verse highlights that the Assyrian king’s boast isn't just about conquering cities, but about eradicating their leaders and thus their entire identity and hope. It’s a chilling reminder that whe…
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Last reviewed October 2026