2 Reis 18:33

Hath any... his land. — Literally, have the gods of the nations at all delivered every one his own Land? If this is to be consistent with 2 Reis 18:25, we must suppose the thought to be that the god of each conquered nation had favoured the Assyrian cause, as Jehovah is here alleged to be doing. But, as 2 Reis 18:34 seem to imply the impotence of the foreign deities when opposed to the might of Assyria, a verbal inconsistency may be admitted. (See Note on 2 Crônicas 32:15.)

The rab-sak would hardly be very particular about what he said in an extemporised address, the sole aim of which was to work on the fears of the Jews. The connection of thought in his mind may have been somewhat as follows: “Jehovah, instead of opposing, manifestly favours our arms; and even if that be otherwise, as you may believe, no matter! He is not likely to prove mightier than the gods of all the other nations that have fallen before us.”

Out of the hand of the king of Assyria. — Sennacherib, or his spokesman, thinks of his predecessors as well as of himself, as is evident from 2 Reis 19:12. (Comp. 2 Crônicas 32:13.)