KJV ORIGINAL
Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Because your anger against me and your loud boasting has reached my ears, I will put a hook in your nose and a bit in your mouth, and I will force you to go back the same way you came.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is telling the Assyrian king that because of his arrogant rage, God will humiliate him and force him to retreat in defeat.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of God's message through Isaiah to King Hezekiah about the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who had besieged Jerusalem and blasphemed God. The imagery of hooks and bridles refers to how ancient conquerors would literally lead captive kings with hooks through their noses and bits in their mouths as symbols of total defeat and humiliation.
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