Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 19:16
LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
16. Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear ] R.V. Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear. This is the translation in Isaiah of the same Hebrew. Both should be alike, and the form chosen by R.V. seems preferable as the words are addressed to God. The king can only speak in the figures which men would use to one another, but in this application of human attributes to the Almighty there need not be of necessity any misconception. There could have been none in Hezekiah’s thoughts concerning the Maker of heaven and earth.
which hath sent him [R.V. wherewith he hath sent ] to reproach the living God ] There is in the orginal a suffix in the singular number attached to the verb, which refers to the ‘words’ before alluded to though they are mentioned as plural. The idea is however singular, and indicates the ‘message’. So that literally the Hebrew would be translated ‘which he hath sent it’, and that is their way of saying, ‘wherewith he hath sent’. The A.V. took the suffix which in the parallel place of Isaiah is not expressed to refer to Rab-shakeh and so translated ‘which hath sent him’.
Hezekiah calls Jehovah ‘the living God’ as opposed to the idols of wood and stone spoken of in Sennacherib’s letter.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Which hath sent him, i.e. the messenger who brought this railing letter, 2Ki 19:14; or Rab-shakeh, who was easily understood out of the former chapter, although he would not do him the honour to name him; or, sent it, to wit, this letter.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
[See comments on 2Ki 19:1]
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(16) Bow down thine ear, and hear.Not so much my prayer as the words of Sennacherib.
Open, Lord, thine eyes, and see.Referring, as Thenius says, to Sennacheribs letter; not, however, as if Jehovahs eyes were closed before this prayer. To treat the figurative language of the Old Testament in such a manner does violence to common sense. Bow thine ear, Open thine eyes, in Hezekiahs mouth simply meant Intervene actively between me and my enemy; although, no doubt, such expressions originally conveyed the actual thoughts of the Israelites about God.
Which hath sent him.Rather, which he hath sent. The words are regarded as a single whole, a message.
The living God.In contrast with the lifeless idols of Hamath, Arpad, &c.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Thine ear thine eyes “This express mention of the two chief senses, the development of each of the two chief ideas, according to their details, into a twofold prayer, the complete symmetry of the two clauses of the sentence, the repetition of Jehovah in the second clause all these conspire to give to the prayer the greatest urgency and emphasis.” Drechsler.
Which hath sent him Rather, which he hath sent; that is, the words or the message which Sennacherib had sent.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 19:16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
Ver. 16. Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open thine eyes, &c.] This is to pray with utmost intention of spirit, and extension of speech; this is prayer with a force, such as prevaileth much with God. Jam 5:16 See the like in Daniel. Dan 9:18-19
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
living God. Always used in contrast with idols.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
bow down: Psa 31:2, Isa 37:17
open: 1Ki 8:29, 2Ch 6:40, Dan 9:18
which hath sent: 2Ki 19:4, Psa 79:12, Isa 37:4, Isa 37:17, Heb 11:26
Reciprocal: 2Ch 6:20 – thine eyes Isa 16:12 – but Jer 18:19 – hearken Act 14:15 – the living Heb 9:14 – the living
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 19:16-18. Which hath sent him That is, the messenger who brought this railing letter; or rather Rab-shakeh, who is easily understood to be referred to from the contents of the former chapter, although he would not do him the honour to name him. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations, &c. He acknowledges their triumphs over the gods of the heathen, but distinguishes between them and the God of Israel. And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods They were unable to help either themselves or their worshippers, and therefore it is no wonder that the Assyrians have destroyed them. And, in destroying them, though they knew it not, they really served the justice and jealousy of the God of Israel, who has determined to annihilate all the gods of the heathen. But they were deceived in thinking they could therefore be too hard for him, who was so far from being one of the gods whom mens hands had made, that he himself made all things.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
19:16 LORD, {k} bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the {l} living God.
(k) Show by effect that you will not allow your Name to be blasphemed.
(l) By this title he discerns God from all idols and false gods.