2 Kings 19:23

By thy messengers Rab-shakeh and his companions.

With the multitude of my chariots This is the translation of the marginal reading (Keri) which stands as Kethibin the corresponding verse of Isaiah. Another reading is represented on the margin of the R.V. thus -with the driving of my chariots". This stands in the Hebrew text in Kings, and by some is preferred as being more unusual and therefore perhaps better suited to a poetical passage like the present. But the form in Isaiah has the support of all the versions and so had better be adopted here.

to the sides[R.V. innermost parts] of Lebanon The word which A.V. translates -sides" is very frequently applied to the interior, as of a house (Amos 6:10), or a ship (Jonah 1:5), or a cave (1 Samuel 24:4), or a grave (Isaiah 14:15). And so here it indicates the interior recesses of Lebanon, whither as conqueror Sennacherib expects to penetrate. The Lebanon was one of the choicest parts of the Holy Land, and its beauty is extolled in several passages of Solomon's song (see note on 1 Kings 9:16).

and will[R.V. I will] cut down the tall cedar trees[R.V. cedars] thereof Both the changes are to the form in Isaiah. The beauty of the Lebanon was in its glorious trees. The figure chosen therefore expresses the devastation which the Assyrian purposed to bring on the grandest features of the country.

the lodgings of his borders R.V. his farthest lodging-places. The words express the intention of the Assyrian to leave no place in the whole land of Judah unravaged, however remote it might be. There is a various reading in Isaiah, which is rendered -the height of his border". The LXX. does not represent this clause.

and into the forest of his Carmel R.V. the forest of his fruitful field. R.V. also omits the italics. Carmel though often used as a proper name to designate that beautiful and fertile promontory which stretches out to the Mediterranean on the border of the tribe of Asher, yet as a common noun signifies a fruitful garden-like field. Thus Jeremiah 2:7, -I brought you into a plentiful country" (lit.a country of garden-land, Heb. Carmel). So here the phrase describes some park-like grounds with all the beauty of fine gardens. -His wood which is cultivated like a garden".