KJV ORIGINAL
Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Did any of them save Samaria from my power?
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The Assyrian commander is mocking other nations' gods, claiming they were powerless to protect their cities from Assyria's conquest.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of the Assyrian field commander's speech to Jerusalem around 701 BC, during King Sennacherib's siege. He's listing cities and regions that Assyria had already conquered, including Samaria (the northern kingdom of Israel) which fell in 722 BC. The Assyrians practiced psychological warfare by demonstrating how other gods had failed to protect their people.
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