מלכים ב, פרק י״ט, פסוק ל״ב

Following a poetic prophecy, the message shifts to a direct and clear promise of absolute protection for Jerusalem. It details step by step how the Assyrian army will fail to mount any actual siege against the city [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Although the Assyrian forces are already camped outside Jerusalem, the assurance that the enemy will not arrive does not mean they will fail to reach the surrounding area. Rather, it guarantees that the invading army will never conquer the city or step foot inside, as their camp will be struck down outside the walls [רד״ק]. Furthermore, God promises that the enemy forces will not even manage to shoot a single arrow toward the city [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This divine protection also prevents the enemy from setting up their front lines before the city [מצודת ציון]. In ancient warfare, shield bearers would typically lead the charge, advancing right up to the walls to breach them. However, the Assyrian soldiers will not reach the wall to destroy it with axes while protected under their shields [רלב״ג, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Finally, the invading army will be unable to construct offensive structures against Jerusalem. The primary approach among commentators is that this refers to a massive dirt mound, poured and piled high against the city walls to raise the ground level, which would otherwise allow soldiers to climb over and invade [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. To build this, attackers would normally press, beat, and pack the earth tightly using wooden tools and hammers to create a stable, paved ramp [רש״י]. In contrast to the idea of an earthen ramp, another viewpoint suggests that this refers to a massive siege engine designed to hurl heavy stones with great force to shatter the walls [רלב״ג].