Hebrew Bible Study
Hebrew Bible Study

Commentary for II Kings 20:1

בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם חָלָ֥ה חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ לָמ֑וּת וַיָּבֹ֣א אֵ֠לָיו יְשַׁעְיָ֨הוּ בֶן־אָמ֜וֹץ הַנָּבִ֗יא וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ צַ֣ו לְבֵיתֶ֔ךָ כִּ֛י מֵ֥ת אַתָּ֖ה וְלֹ֥א תִֽחְיֶֽה׃

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him: ‘Thus saith the LORD: Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.’

Rashi on II Kings

In those days. [This occurred] three days before Sancheiriv's downfall.1Alternatively, the entire episode is stated in chronological order, and it occurred after Sancheiriv's downfall. The assurance Chizkiyohu requested that he will be saved from Ashur mentioned here refers to future attacks. Although Ashur had been soundly defeated, Sancheiriv's successors might soon try again to attack.—Ralbag
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Ralbag on II Kings

In those days Hezekiah was sick unto death: I should think that this was after the preceding story. And don't be surprised when it says, "I will deliver you out of the hand of the King of Assyria," (2 Kings 20:6) because it is possible that Esarhaddon threatening Jerusalem.
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Rashi on II Kings

Chizkiyohu became … ill. On the third day, when he went up to the Beis [Hamikdosh] of A, was the day of Sancheiriv's downfall, and it was on the Pesach holiday.2To commemorate this event, reference to Sancheiriv's downfall is mentioned in the Hagaddah on both Seder nights. On the first Seder night it is mentioned in ובכן ויהי בחצי הלילה, and on the second Seder night it is mentioned in ובכן ואמרתם זבח פסח.
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Rashi on II Kings

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Rashi on II Kings

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From David to Destruction

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