Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?
Look, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the nations, they have completely destroyed them. So do you really think you will be rescued?
The writer is recording a taunt from the Assyrian king, who is trying to intimidate Jerusalem by reminding them of his track record of destroying other nations.
📚 Historical Context
In the 8th century BC, the Assyrian Empire was a formidable military power that had already conquered and destroyed many nations, including the northern kingdom of Israel, as part of its aggressive expansion. King Hezekiah of Judah was facing an invasion led by King Sennacherib, who sent messengers to intimidate him by recounting these victories and questioning whether Judah could escape the same fate. This verse is part of that taunting message, emphasizing the Assyrians' reputation for complete annihilation.
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