2 Kings 19:37
New International Version
One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisrok, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword, and they escaped to the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son succeeded him as king.

New Living Translation
One day while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with their swords. They then escaped to the land of Ararat, and another son, Esarhaddon, became the next king of Assyria.

English Standard Version
And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword and escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.

Berean Standard Bible
One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

New King James Version
Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.

New American Standard Bible
Then it came about, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword; and they escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esarhaddon became king in his place.

NASB 1995
It came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place.

NASB 1977
And it came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place.

Amplified Bible
It came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with a sword; and they escaped to the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place.

Christian Standard Bible
One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. Then his son Esar-haddon became king in his place.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. Then his son Esar-haddon became king in his place.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

Contemporary English Version
One day he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, when his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, killed him with their swords. They escaped to the land of Ararat, and his son Esarhaddon became king.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
While he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, Adrammelech and Sharezer assassinated him and escaped to the land of Ararat. His son Esarhaddon succeeded him as king.

Good News Translation
One day, when he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, two of his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, killed him with their swords and then escaped to the land of Ararat. Another of his sons, Esarhaddon, succeeded him as emperor.

International Standard Version
Later on, as he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with a sword and fled into the territory of Ararat. Then Sennacherib's son Esarhaddon became king in his place.

Majority Standard Bible
One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

NET Bible
One day, as he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword. They escaped to the land of Ararat; his son Esarhaddon replaced him as king.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

World English Bible
As he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Esar Haddon his son reigned in his place.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, he is bowing himself in the house of his god Nisroch, and [his sons] Adramelech and Sharezar have struck him with the sword, and they have escaped to the land of Ararat, and his son Esar-Haddon reigns in his stead.

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, he is bowing himself in the house of Nisroch his god, and Adramelech and Sharezar his sons have smitten him with the sword, and they have escaped to the land of Ararat, and Esar-Haddon his son reigneth in his stead.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will be worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, and Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword: and they escaped to the land of Ararat: and Esarhaddon his son will reign in his stead.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And as he was worshipping in the temple of Nesroch his god, Adramelech and Sarasar his sons slew him with the sword, and they fled into the land of the Armenians, and Asarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And while he was worshipping in the temple of his god, Nisroch, his sons, Adram-melech and Sharezer, struck him with the sword. And they fled into the land of the Armenians. And Esarhaddon, his son, reigned in his place.

New American Bible
When he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and fled into the land of Ararat. His son Esarhaddon reigned in his place.

New Revised Standard Version
As he was worshiping in the house of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword, and they escaped into the land of Ararat. His son Esar-haddon succeeded him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And as he worshipped in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammeleck and Sharezer his sons slew him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Sarhaddom his son reigned in his stead.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And while he was worshiping in the house of Nesrak his god, Adramelek and Sharetsar his sons murdered him with a sword, and they escaped to the land of Aradat, and Serakhdum his son was made king after him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sarezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass, while he was worshipping in the house of Meserach his god, that Adramelech and Sarasar his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Ararath; and Asordan his son reigned in his stead.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem Delivered from the Assyrians
36So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. 37One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

Cross References
Isaiah 37:38
One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 32:21
and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword.

Genesis 4:8
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

Judges 9:5
He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.

1 Kings 15:28-29
In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha killed Nadab and reigned in his place. / As soon as Baasha became king, he struck down the entire household of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone who breathed, but destroyed them all according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servant Ahijah the Shilonite,

2 Kings 12:20-21
And the servants of Joash rose up and formed a conspiracy and killed him at Beth-millo, on the road down to Silla. / His servants Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer struck him down, and he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the City of David, and his son Amaziah reigned in his place.

2 Kings 14:5-7
As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah executed the servants who had murdered his father the king. / Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, but acted according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.” / Amaziah struck down 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He took Sela in battle and called it Joktheel, which is its name to this very day.

2 Kings 15:10
Then Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, struck him down and killed him in front of the people, and reigned in his place.

2 Kings 15:25
Then his officer, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him along with Argob, Arieh, and fifty men of Gilead. And at the citadel of the king’s palace in Samaria, Pekah struck down and killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place.

2 Kings 21:23-24
Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his palace. / But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place.

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Hebrews 11:37
They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.

Revelation 6:9-11
And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. / And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?” / Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.

Matthew 10:21
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

Nisroch.

2 Kings 19:10
Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.

2 Kings 18:5,30
He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him…

Deuteronomy 32:31
For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

his sons smote.

2 Kings 19:7
Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

2 Chronicles 32:21
And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

the land.

Armenia.

Genesis 8:4
And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.

Jeremiah 51:27
Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.

Esar-haddon.

Ezra 4:2
Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.

Jump to Previous
Adrammelech Adram'melech Ararat Ar'arat Armenia Cut Death Esar Esarhaddon Esar-Haddon Escaped Flight Haddon House Killed Nisroch Reigned Sarezer Sharezer Share'zer Slew Smote Stead Struck Sword Temple Worshiping Worshipping
Jump to Next
Adrammelech Adram'melech Ararat Ar'arat Armenia Cut Death Esar Esarhaddon Esar-Haddon Escaped Flight Haddon House Killed Nisroch Reigned Sarezer Sharezer Share'zer Slew Smote Stead Struck Sword Temple Worshiping Worshipping
2 Kings 19
1. Hezekiah, in mourning, sends to Isaiah to pray for them.
6. Isaiah comforts them.
8. Sennacherib, going to encounter Tirhakah, sends a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah.
14. Hezekiah's prayer.
20. Isaiah's prophecy of the destruction of Sennacherib, and the good of Zion.
35. An angel slays the Assyrians.
36. Sennacherib is slain by his own sons.














One day
This phrase sets the scene for a specific, divinely appointed moment in time. In the Hebrew context, it emphasizes the suddenness and inevitability of God's judgment. The timing of events in biblical narratives often underscores God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His prophetic word.

while he was worshiping
Worship in ancient times was a deeply personal and communal act, often involving rituals and sacrifices. The irony here is palpable; while engaged in an act meant to honor his deity, the king meets his demise. This highlights the futility of idolatry and the ultimate supremacy of the God of Israel.

in the temple of his god Nisroch
Nisroch is believed to be an Assyrian deity, though little is known about this god outside of biblical references. The mention of a specific temple underscores the cultural and religious context of Assyria, a nation often in opposition to Israel. This setting serves as a backdrop for the divine retribution against those who oppose God's people.

his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer
The names of these sons are significant. "Adrammelech" can be translated as "Adar is king," and "Sharezer" as "prince of fire." These names reflect the Assyrian pantheon and the cultural milieu of the time. Their actions fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah regarding the downfall of Sennacherib, illustrating the theme of familial betrayal as a tool of divine justice.

struck him down with the sword
The sword is a symbol of judgment and execution throughout the Bible. This act of violence within the family not only fulfills prophecy but also serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and defiance against God. The use of the sword signifies the finality and decisiveness of God's judgment.

and escaped to the land of Ararat
Ararat is historically associated with the region of modern-day Turkey, known for its mountainous terrain. The escape to Ararat signifies a retreat to a place of refuge, yet it also symbolizes the dispersal and fragmentation of power following divine judgment. This geographical detail roots the narrative in a real-world context, emphasizing the historical accuracy of the biblical account.

And his son Esarhaddon reigned in his place
Esarhaddon's ascension to the throne marks a new chapter in Assyrian history. His reign is noted for attempts at rebuilding and consolidating power. In the biblical narrative, this transition of power underscores the transient nature of earthly kingdoms and the enduring sovereignty of God. Esarhaddon's rule, despite its historical significance, is ultimately subject to the divine narrative that unfolds throughout Scripture.

(37) And it came to pass.--Twenty years afterwards.

Nisroch.--This name appears to be corrupt. The LXX. gives ??????? and ???????; Josephus, ?? ??????, "in Araske," as if the name were that of the temple rather than the god. The Hebrew version of Tobit (1:21) gives Dagon as the god. Dagon (Da-kan, Da-gan-nu) was worshipped at an early date in Babylonia, and later in Assyria; but no stress can be laid on the evidence of a late version of an Apochryphon. Wellhausen thinks the original reading of the LXX. must have been ???????, which seems to involve the name of Asshur, the supreme god of the Assyrians.

Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him.--The Assyrian monuments are silent on the subject of the death of Sennacherib. For Adrammelech, see the Note on 2Kings 17:31. Sharezer, in Assyrian, Sar-ucur, "protect the king," is only part of a name. The other half is found in Abydenus (apud Eusebius), who records that Sennacherib was slain by his son Adramelos, and succeeded by Nergilos (i.e., Nergal), who was slain by Axerdis (Esarhaddon). From this it appears that the full name was Nergal-sar-ucur, "Nergal protect the king!" (the Greek Neriglissar.) (See Jeremiah 39:3; Jeremiah 39:13.)

And they escaped into the land of Armenia.--Ararat, the Assyrian Urartu, was the name of the great plain through which the Araxes flowed. The battle in which Esarhaddon defeated his brothers was fought somewhere in Little Armenia, near the Euphrates, according to Schrader, who gives a fragment of an inscription apparently relating thereto.

Esarhaddon.--The Assyrian Assur-aha-iddina, "Asshur gave a brother," who reigned 681-668 B.C.

Verse 37. - And it came to pass - seventeen or eighteen years afterwards; not "fifty-five days" after, as the author of Tobit (1. 21) says - as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god. The word Nisroch offers considerable difficulty. It has been connected with nesher (נֶשֶׁר), "eagle," and explained as a reference to the eagle-headed genius sometimes seen in the Assyrian sculptures ('Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 2. p. 265). But there is no evidence that the genii were ever worshipped in Assyria, much less that they had temples of their own, nor is any name resembling "Nisroch" attached to any of them. The word itself is somewhat doubtful, and different manuscripts of the Septuagint, here and in Isaiah 37:38, have the variants of Nasaraeh, Esorach, Meserach, and Asarach, while Josephus has Araskas. Asarach might conceivably be a strengthened form of Asshur; but the substitution of samech for shin is against this explanation. Still, Asshur was certainly Sennacherib's favorite god, the deity whom he principally worshipped. Josephus regards the name as belonging, not to the god, but to the temple (ἐν τῷ ἰδίθι ναῷ Αράσκῃ λεγομένῳ), which is perhaps the true solution of the difficulty. Translate - "as he was worshipping his god in the house Nisroch." That Adram-melech and Sharezer his sons. Adram-melech is called "Adrammeles" by Aby-denus, "Ardamazanes" by Polyhistor. Neither form resembles any known Assyrian name, but Adrammelech has a good Semitic derivation (see the comment on 2 Kings 18:31). "Sharezer" is probably a shortened form of Nergal-shar-ozer (comp. "Shalman," Hosea 10:14), which was a name in use at the time ('Eponym Canon,' p. 68). Abydenus seems to have called him Nergilus. Smote him with the sword. So Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 10:1. § 5) and Mos. Chor. ('Hist. Armen.,' 1:22). A mutilated inscription of Esarhaddon's seems to have described his war with his brothers ('Records of the Past,' vol. 3. p. 103) at the commencement of his reign, but the earlier part is wanting. And they escaped into the land of Armenia; literally, of Ararat. The Hebrew "Ararat" is the Assyrian "Ur-arda" - the ordinary name for the country about Lakes Van and Urumiyeh. The name "Armenia" is not found earlier than the inscriptions of Darius Hystaspis. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead. Esarhaddon (the Sarchedon of Tobit 1:21, and the Asshur-akh-iddin of the Assyrian inscriptions) succeeded his father in B.C. 681, and was engaged for some time in a war with his brothers on the Upper Euphrates, after which he made himself master of Nineveh. He reigned from B.C. 681 to B.C. 669, when he was succeeded by his son, Asshur-bani-pal. Assyria reached the acme of her prosperity in his time.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
One day,
וַיְהִי֩ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

while he
ה֨וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was worshiping
מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֜ה (miš·ta·ḥă·weh)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

in the temple
בֵּ֣ית ׀ (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of his god
אֱלֹהָ֗יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

Nisroch,
נִסְרֹ֣ךְ (nis·rōḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5268: An Assyrian god

his sons
בָּנָיו֙‪‬ (bā·nāw)
Preposition
Strong's 1121: A son

Adrammelech
וְֽאַדְרַמֶּ֨לֶךְ (wə·’aḏ·ram·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 152: Adrammelech -- 'Adar is prince', an Assyrian idol, also a son of Sennacherib

and Sharezer
וְשַׂרְאֶ֤צֶר (wə·śar·’e·ṣer)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8272: Sharezer -- an Assyrian, also perhaps an Israelite

struck him down
הִכֻּ֣הוּ (hik·ku·hū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

with the sword
בַחֶ֔רֶב (ḇa·ḥe·reḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

and escaped
נִמְלְט֖וּ (nim·lə·ṭū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4422: To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks

to the land
אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Ararat.
אֲרָרָ֑ט (’ă·rā·rāṭ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 780: Ararat -- a district in eastern Armenia

And his son
בְּנ֖וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Esar-haddon
חַדֹּ֥ן (ḥad·dōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 634: Esarhaddon -- 'Ashur has given a brother', an Assyrian king

became king
וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ (way·yim·lōḵ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

in his place.
תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ (taḥ·tāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of


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OT History: 2 Kings 19:37 It happened as he was worshipping (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 19:36
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