Definition: LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Kings 19:16. It’s a really dramatic and unsettling passage about a powerful king and God’s judgment. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Sennacherib is invading: The verse tells us that Sennacherib, the King of Assyria (a powerful empire near modern-day Iraq), is sending his army to harass and threaten Judah – a region of Israel and Judah. He’s doing this with a lot of malice and disrespect. God's Warning: God, in response to Sennacherib's actions, sends a message to the people of Judah. He tells them that He (God) is about to speak to them – and it will be a very important conversation. The Message: The verse describes God speaking to them through a dream. This dream includes a message from Sennacherib himself: he's boasting about his power and disrespecting God. Putting It All Together - What’s Happening? God is essentially saying, "Sennacherib is being disrespectful and arrogant. He’s treating God as an object of worship instead of a divine being. He’s making a huge mistake." The Key Meaning: This verse highlights that God doesn't just tolerate disrespect. When people stray from the right path, God will intervene. He'll use His power to reveal Himself and speak to them – even when they are powerful and seemingly invincible. It’s a reminder that we all need to be mindful of our relationship with God and avoid arrogance or disrespect. Important Note: The Bible doesn’t explicitly say why this happened, but it's generally understood as a consequence of Sennacherib's actions – his oppressive rule and disregard for God’s will. --- Do you want me to explain any specific part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like to know: What the “dream” signifies? How this relates to a larger story in the Bible?