12 Peter Dubovsk´ y overwhelming military power and territorial expansion of Assyria. Nevertheless, they differ in interpreting its causes and predicting its future. Therefore the real challenge the ancient writers had to face was not to present the generally accepted phenomena, but rather to offer a comprehensive and hope-inspiring interpretation. Given the fact that the final composition of 2 Kgs 18–19 took place after the exile (31), another undeniable fact must have been taken into consideration — this power did fall. Other biblical books also gave some thought to the fall of Assyria (see Is 10,5-19; 14,24-27; 30,27-33; 31,4-5; Zeph 2,13; Mic 5,5; Nah 2-3; Zec 10,11; Am 9,7). The number of passages in the book of Isaiah indicates that the prophet Isaiah probably played a key role in understanding the reasons for the collapse of the Assyrian Empire (32). Therefore, the introduction of Isaiah’s prophecies (2 Kgs 19,6-7.20-34) in the midst of the biblical account 2 Kgs 15–23 can be seen as a confirmation of the prophecy uttered probably in the time when no one expected that this might could ever collapse. V. Two versions, two contexts That Isaiah’s interpretation is not only in 2 Kgs but also in the book of Isaiah (Is 36–37) suggests that a plausible interpretation of Assyrian expansion was a nagging question. Several scholars have already investigated the role of Hezekiah’s story in the context of the book of Isaiah (33). Using a unique expression, which occurs only in Is 7,3 and (31) N. NA’AMAN, “Updating the Messages: Hezekiah’s Second Prophetic Story (2 Kings 19.9b-35) and the Community of Babylonian Deportees”, “Like a Bird in a Cage”. The Invasion of Sennacherib in 701 BCE, (ed. L.L. GRABBE) (London – New York, NY 2003) 201-220; S.W. HOLLOWAY, “Harran: Cultic Geography in the Neo-Assyrian Empire and Its Implications for Sennacherib’s ‘Letter to Hezekiah’ in 2 Kings”, The Pitcher Is Broken. Memorial Essays for Gösta W. Ahlström (ed. L.K. HANDY) (Sheffield 1995) 276-314. (32) R.E. CLEMENTS, Isaiah and the Deliverance of Jerusalem. A Study of the Interpretation of Prophecy in the Old Testament (JSOTSS 13; Sheffield 1980) 28-71. (33) P.R. ACKROYD, “Isaiah 36-39: Structure and Function”, Von Kanaan bis Kerala. Festschrift für Prof. Mag. Dr. Dr. J.P.M. Van der Ploeg O.P. zur Vollendung des Siebzigsten Lebensjahres am 4. Juli 1979 (ed. J.P.M.D. PLOEG) (Kevelaer – Neukirchen – Vluyn 1982) 3-21; K.A.D. SMELIK, “Distortion of Old Testament Prophecy: The Purpose of Isaiah XXXVI and XXXVII”, Crises and Perspectives. Studies in Ancient near Eastern Polytheism, Biblical Theology, Palestinian Archaeology and Intertestamental Literature (A. S. VAN DER WOUDE) (Leiden 1986) 70-93.