2 Kings 19:23

23. By thy messengers Hebrew, by the hand of thy messengers, referring to the letter mentioned 2 Kings 19:14, and also other messages.

The multitude of my chariots So the Keri and the parallel passage, Isaiah 37:24; but the Chethib seems to be the more original reading, and is, literally, with chariot of my chariots. The sense in either case is substantially the same, the latter expression ( רכב רכבי ) meaning with my numberless chariots, or chariots on chariots. Compare גוב גובי , locust of locusts, in Nahum 3:17, which is properly rendered swarms of locusts; not great grasshoppers, as in our version.

Lebanon… cedar trees… fir trees See notes on 1Ki 5:6 ; 1 Kings 5:8.

Lodgings of his borders Literally, lodging place of his extremity. The Hebrew מלון קצה , is explained, but not to be emended, by the parallel passage in Isaiah, where we have מרום קצו , height of his extremity, that is, its extreme summit. Sennacherib’s boast is, that he pitches his camp and lodges on the very summit of Lebanon.

Forest of his Carmel The word Carmel is here to be taken in its primary sense of garden, cultivated field; not as a proper name. The forest of his garden, or garden forest, designates the orchard-like groves, or beautiful parks of choice trees, on the terraces and summit of Lebanon. This pompous boasting of the king of Assyria is not to be understood as literally historical, nor yet as without historical foundation. Sennacherib probably entered Palestine from the north, and so would cross the summit and sides of some part of Lebanon, and this, in connexion with the various triumphs of his march, would be sufficient ground for the hyperbolical language of his boasts. His language is poetical, but not mere poetry; and the whole verse is to be understood of what he has power to do.