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2 Kings 18:8

2 Kings 18:8 in Multiple Translations

He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its borders, from watchtower to fortified city.

He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

He smote the Philistines unto Gaza and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.

He overcame the Philistines as far as Gaza and its limits, from the tower of the watchman to the walled town.

He defeated the Philistines all the way to Gaza and the surrounding area, from watchtower to fortified town.

He smote the Philistims vnto Azzah, and the coastes thereof, from the watch towre vnto the defensed citie.

he hath smitten the Philistines unto Gaza, and its borders, from a tower of watchers unto the fenced city.

He struck the Philistines to Gaza and its borders, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.

He smote the Philistines, even to Gaza, and its borders, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.

He smote the Philistines as far as Gaza, and all their borders, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

His army defeated the soldiers of Philistia as far south as Gaza city and the nearby villages. They conquered the entire area, from the smallest watchtower to the largest cities surrounded by walls.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 18:8

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

2 Kings 18:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB הֽוּא הִכָּ֧ה אֶת פְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים עַד עַזָּ֖ה וְ/אֶת גְּבוּלֶ֑י/הָ מִ/מִּגְדַּ֥ל נוֹצְרִ֖ים עַד עִ֥יר מִבְצָֽר
הֽוּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron
הִכָּ֧ה nâkâh H5221 to smite V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים Pᵉlishtîy H6430 Philistines Ngmpa
עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep
עַזָּ֖ה ʻAzzâh H5804 Gaza N-proper
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM
גְּבוּלֶ֑י/הָ gᵉbûwl H1366 border N-mp | Suff
מִ/מִּגְדַּ֥ל migdâl H4026 tower Prep | N-cs
נוֹצְרִ֖ים nâtsar H5341 to watch V-Qal
עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep
עִ֥יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement N-fs
מִבְצָֽר mibtsâr H4013 fortification N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 18:8

הֽוּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
הִכָּ֧ה nâkâh H5221 "to smite" V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים Pᵉlishtîy H6430 "Philistines" Ngmpa
A Philistine is a person from the region of Philistia, which was inhabited by immigrants from other places. The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible. They were a distinct ethnic group.
Definition: Philistine = "immigrants" an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan Another name of ga.dol (גָּדוֹל "Great( Sea)" H1419J)
Usage: Occurs in 244 OT verses. KJV: Philistine. See also: Genesis 10:14; 1 Samuel 17:8; 1 Chronicles 10:1.
עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
עַזָּ֖ה ʻAzzâh H5804 "Gaza" N-proper
Azzah is another name for Gaza, a Philistine city in southwest Palestine, meaning 'the strong' in Hebrew.
Definition: § Azzah = "the strong" another name for 'Gaza', a city of the Philistines located in the extreme southwest of Palestine close to the Mediterranean
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: Azzah, Gaza. See also: Genesis 10:19; 1 Kings 5:4; Jeremiah 25:20.
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
גְּבוּלֶ֑י/הָ gᵉbûwl H1366 "border" N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
מִ/מִּגְדַּ֥ל migdâl H4026 "tower" Prep | N-cs
Migdal means tower, referring to a tall structure or elevated stage. It can also symbolize a bed of flowers in the Bible.
Definition: 1) tower 1a) tower 1b) elevated stage, pulpit 1c) raised bed
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: castle, flower, tower. Compare the names following. See also: Genesis 11:4; Nehemiah 3:26; Psalms 48:13.
נוֹצְרִ֖ים nâtsar H5341 "to watch" V-Qal
This word means to watch or guard something, like the Israelites watching over the Passover in Exodus 12:42 or God watching over his people in Psalm 121:4.
Definition: 1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to watch, guard, keep 1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers 1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity 1a4) to guard, keep secret 1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded 1a6) watchman (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man). See also: Exodus 34:7; Proverbs 2:8; Psalms 12:8.
עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
עִ֥יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
מִבְצָֽר mibtsâr H4013 "fortification" N-ms
This word describes a strong, fortified place like a castle or a fenced city, providing protection and safety. It is used in the Bible to describe secure and defended locations.
Definition: fortification, fortress, fortified city, stronghold
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: (de-, most) fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold). See also: Numbers 13:19; Isaiah 34:13; Psalms 89:41.

Study Notes — 2 Kings 18:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Isaiah 14:29 Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg.
2 2 Kings 17:9 The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities.
3 2 Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages.
4 2 Chronicles 26:10 Since he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields.
5 Isaiah 5:2 He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour!
6 1 Chronicles 4:41 These who were noted by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. They attacked the Hamites and Meunites there in their dwellings, devoting them to destruction even to this day. Then they settled in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks.

2 Kings 18:8 Summary

In 2 Kings 18:8, we see that Hezekiah, the king of Judah, trusted in God and defeated the Philistines, a pagan nation that was a threat to Israel. This shows us that when we trust in God, He will give us victory over our enemies, just like He did for Hezekiah (as seen in 2 Kings 18:6-7). We can apply this lesson to our own lives by trusting in God's power and protection, just like Hezekiah did, and knowing that He will help us overcome any challenges we face (as seen in Proverbs 21:31). By trusting in God, we can experience His victory in our lives, just like Hezekiah did in 2 Kings 18:8.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Hezekiah's victory over the Philistines in 2 Kings 18:8?

Hezekiah's victory over the Philistines shows God's faithfulness to those who remain faithful to Him, as seen in 2 Kings 18:6-7, where Hezekiah's faithfulness to the Lord is highlighted, and the Lord is with him, causing him to prosper.

Who were the Philistines and why were they a threat to Israel?

The Philistines were a pagan nation that lived in the region of Philistia, and they were a constant threat to Israel, as seen in 1 Samuel 4:1-11, where the Philistines defeat the Israelites and capture the Ark of the Covenant, but in 2 Kings 18:8, Hezekiah defeats them, demonstrating God's power and protection over His people.

What can we learn from Hezekiah's military campaigns and trust in God?

We can learn that when we trust in God and remain faithful to Him, He will give us victory over our enemies, as seen in 2 Kings 18:8, and in Proverbs 21:31, which says that the horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord.

How does Hezekiah's victory over the Philistines relate to the rest of 2 Kings 18?

Hezekiah's victory over the Philistines in 2 Kings 18:8 sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, which describes the Assyrian threat to Judah and Hezekiah's trust in God, as seen in 2 Kings 18:9-37, where Hezekiah's faith is tested by the Assyrian king's threats and blasphemy against God.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are the 'watchtowers' and 'fortified cities' in my life that I need to trust God to help me overcome?
  2. How can I, like Hezekiah, remain faithful to God and trust in His power and protection in the face of enemy threats?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I need to experience God's victory, and how can I trust Him to give me that victory?
  4. How can I apply the lesson of 2 Kings 18:8 to my own life, trusting in God's power and protection in the face of challenges and threats?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 18:8

He smote the Philistines even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof,.... Who in his father's time had invaded Judah, and taken many cities and towns in it, which Hezekiah now recovered, and drove them

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 18:8

He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. No JFB commentary on this verse.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:8

He smote the Philistines, and recovered from them what his father had lost, , and more. From the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city; of which phrase See Poole "".

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:8

2 Kings 18:8 He smote the Philistines, [even] unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.Ver. 8. He smote the Philistines.] A warlike people, and therefore his glory was the greater: as Plutarch praiseth the Romans above Alexander, because he subdued Asiatics that were pusillanimous and effeminate; but these, the Germans, Spaniards, Britons, hardy and headstrong nations. From the tower of the watchmen.] See 2 Kings 17:9.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:8

(8) He smote.—He it was who smote. The reduction of the Philistines was probably subsequent to the retreat of Sennacherib. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 32:22; Isaiah 11:14.) Unto Gaza.—The southernmost part of the Philistine territory. From the tower of the watchmen . . . city.—See Note on 2 Kings 17:9. The entire land of Philistia was ravaged by the Judean forces.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:8

Verse 8. From the tower of the watchmen] See the same words, 2Kg 17:9. It seems a proverbial mode of expression: he reduced every kind of fortification; nothing was able to stand before him.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 18:8

8. he smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza] Gaza was the most southern of the five great towns of the Philistines, so that it is intimated that the whole land of Philistia was overrun by the king of Judah. from the tower of the watchmen, &c.] See above on 2 Kings 17:9 note.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 18:8

Sargon had established the complete dominion of Assyria over the Philistines. Hence, the object of Hezekiah’s Philistine campaign was not so much conquest as opposition to the Assyrian power.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:8

8. Smote the Philistines — Who in the reign of Ahaz “had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 28:18.

Sermons on 2 Kings 18:8

SermonDescription
T. Austin-Sparks Christian Service From God's Standpoint by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that Christian service from God's perspective is about contributing to the fullness of Christ, rather than merely performing specific roles or functions
Leonard Ravenhill Isaiah 64 by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of studying Acts 26 and Isaiah 40 in order to understand the role of a preacher and the concept of God. He encourages preache
C.H. Spurgeon Little Sins by C.H. Spurgeon C.H. Spurgeon, in his sermon 'Little Sins', emphasizes the deceptive nature of seemingly minor sins, arguing that they can lead to greater transgressions and ultimately spiritual r
George Fox Epistle 381 by George Fox George Fox emphasizes the responsibility of vintners and innkeepers to ensure that they serve alcohol only in moderation, promoting health and gratitude towards God's creations. He

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