Isaiah 37
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Zedekiah succeeds Coniah, the son of Jehoiakim, in the Jewish throne, and does that which is evil in the sight of the Lord, Jer 37:1, Jer 37:2. The king sends a message to Jeremiah, Jer 37:3-5. God suggests an answer; and foretells the return of the Chaldean army, who should most assuredly take and burn the city, Jer 37:6-10. Jeremiah, in attempting to leave this devoted city, and retire to his possession in the country, is seized as a deserter, and cast into a dungeon, Jer 37:11-15. The king, after a conference with him, abates the rigour of his confinement, Jer 37:16-21.
Open source ↗CONTINUATION OF THE NARRATIVE IN THE THIRTY-SIXTH CHAPTER. (Isa. 37:1-38) sackcloth--(See on Isa 20:2). house of the Lord--the sure resort of God's people in distress (Psa 73:16-17; Psa 77:13).
Open source ↗And it came to pass, when King Hezekiah heard it,.... The report that his ministers made to him of the blasphemies and threatenings of Rabshakeh, the general of the Assyrian army: that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth; the one because of the blasphemies he heard; the other cause of the destruction he and his people were threatened with: and went into the house of the Lord; the temple, to pray to him there: he could have prayed in his own house, but he chose rather to go to the house of God, not so much on account of the holiness of the place, but because there the Lord promised, and was used to hear the prayers of his people, 1Ki 8:29,30 as also because it was more public, and would be known to the people, and set them an example to follow him in. Trouble should not keep persons from, but bring them to, the house of God; here the Lord is to be inquired of, here he is to be found; and from hence he sends deliverance and salvation to his people. Nothing is more proper than prayer in times of affliction; it is no ways unbecoming nor lessening the greatest king on earth to lay aside his royal robes, to humble himself before God, in a time of distress, and pray unto him. Hezekiah does not sit down to consider Rabshakeh's speech, to take it in pieces, and give an answer to it, but he applies unto God.
Open source ↗The king and the deputation apply to Isaiah. "And it came to pass, when king Hizkiyahu had heard, he rent his clothes, and wrapped himself in mourning linen, and went into the house of Jehovah. And sent Eliakim the house-minister, and Shebna (K. omits את) the chancellor, and the eldest of the priests, wrapped in mourning linen, to Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet (K. has what is inadmissible: the prophet son of Amoz). And they said to him, Thus saith Hizkiyahu, A day of affliction, and punishment, and blasphemy is this day; for children are come to the matrix, and there is no strength to bring them forth. Perhaps Jehovah thy God will hear the words (K. all the words) of Rabshakeh, with which the king of Asshur his lord has sent him to revile the living God; and Jehovah thy God will punish for the words which He hath heard, and thou wilt make intercession for the remnant that still exists." The distinguished embassy is a proof of the distinction of the prophet himself (Knobel). The character of the deputation accorded with its object, which was to obtain a consolatory word for the king and people. In the form of the instructions we recognise again the flowing style of Isaiah. תּוכחה, as a synonym of מוּסר, נקם, is used as in Hos 5:9; נאצה (from the kal נאץ) according to Isa 1:4; Isa 5:24; Isa 52:5, like נאצה (from the piel נאץ), Neh 9:18, Neh 9:26 (reviling, i.e., reviling of God, or blasphemy). The figure of there not being sufficient strength to bring forth the child, is the same as in Isa 66:9. משׁבּר (from שׁבר, syn. פּרץ, Gen 38:29) does not signify the actual birth (Luzzatto, punto di dover nascere), nor the delivering-stool (Targum), like mashbēr shel-chayyâh, the delivering-stool of the midwife (Kelim xxiii. 4); but as the subject is the children, and not the mo…
Open source ↗We may observe here, 1. That the best way to baffle the malicious designs of our enemies against us is to be driven by them to God and to our duty and so to fetch meat out of the eater. Rabshakeh intended to frighten Hezekiah from the Lord, but it proves that he frightens him to the Lord. The wind, instead of forcing the traveller's coat from him, makes him wrap it the closer about him. The more Rabshakeh reproaches God the more Hezekiah studies to honour him, by rending his clothes for the dishonour done to him and attending in his sanctuary to know his mind. 2. That it well becomes great men to desire the prayers of good men and good ministers. Hezekiah sent messengers, and honourable ones, those of the first rank, to Isaiah, to desire his prayers, remembering how much his prophecies of late had plainly looked towards the events of the present day, in dependence upon which, it is probable, he doubted not but that the issue would be comfortable, yet he would have it to be so in answer to prayer: This is a day of trouble, therefore let it be a day of prayer. 3. When we are most at a plunge we should be most earnest in prayer: Now that the children are brought to the birth, but there is not strength to bring forth, now let prayer come, and help at a dead lift. When pains are most strong let prayers be most lively; and, when we meet with the greatest difficulties, then is a time to stir up not ourselves only, but others also, to take hold on God. Prayer is the midwife of mercy, that helps to bring it forth. 4. It is an encouragement to pray though we have but some hopes of mercy (Isa 37:4): It may be the Lord thy God will hear; who knows but he will return and repent? The it may be of the prospect of the haven of blessings should quicken us with double diligence to ply th…
Open source ↗37:1 Hezekiah responded to the threats by seeking the Lord’s favor. • The king tore his clothes and put on burlap as a sign of mourning and prayer.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חִזְקִיָּה (Chizqîyâh, H2396) — Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קָרַע (qâraʻ, H7167) — to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… שַׂק (saq, H8242) — properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֶלְיָקִים (ʼElyâqîym, H471) — Eljakim, the name of four Israelites בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שֶׁבְנָא (Shebnâʼ, H7644) — Shebna or Shebnah, an Israelite סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… שַׂק (saq, H8242) — properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or… יְשַׁעְיָה (Yᵉshaʻyâh, H3470) — Jeshajah, the name of seven Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָמוֹץ (ʼÂmôwts, H531) — Amots, an Israelite
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חִזְקִיָּה (Chizqîyâh, H2396) — Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צָרָה (tsârâh, H6869) — tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival: תּוֹכֵחָה (tôwkêchâh, H8433) — chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence) נְאָצָה (nᵉʼâtsâh, H5007) — scorn בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִשְׁבֵּר (mishbêr, H4866) — the orifice of the womb (from which the fetus breaks forth) כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause רַבְשָׁקֵה (Rabshâqêh, H7262) — Rabshakeh, a Babylonian official מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) חָרַף (châraph, H2778) — to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חִזְקִיָּה (Chizqîyâh, H2396) — Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְשַׁעְיָה (Yᵉshaʻyâh, H3470) — Jeshajah, the name of seven Israelites
Open source ↗יְשַׁעְיָה (Yᵉshaʻyâh, H3470) — Jeshajah, the name of seven Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… גָּדַף (gâdaph, H1442) — to hack (with words), i.e. revile
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שְׁמוּעָה (shᵉmûwʻâh, H8052) — something heard, i.e. an announcement שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or…
Open source ↗רַבְשָׁקֵה (Rabshâqêh, H7262) — Rabshakeh, a Babylonian official שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) לִבְנָה (Libnâh, H3841) — Libnah, a place in the Desert and one in Palestine שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… נָסַע (nâçaʻ, H5265) — properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney לָכִישׁ (Lâkîysh, H3923) — Lakish, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) תִּרְהָקָה (Tirhâqâh, H8640) — Tirhakah, a king of Kush מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh, H3568) — Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) חִזְקִיָּה (Chizqîyâh, H2396) — Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חִזְקִיָּה (Chizqîyâh, H2396) — Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure נָשָׁא (nâshâʼ, H5377) — to lead astray, i.e. (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them…
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) חָרַם (châram, H2763) — to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction);… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) גּוֹזָן (Gôwzân, H1470) — Gozan, a province of Assyria חָרָן (Chârân, H2771) — Charan, the name of a man and also of a place רֶצֶף (Retseph, H7530) — Retseph, a place in Assyrian בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֶדֶן (ʻEden, H5729) — Eden, a place in Mesopotamia תְּלַאשַּׂר (Tᵉlaʼssar, H8515) — Telassar, a region of Assyria
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חֲמָת (Chămâth, H2574) — Chamath, a place in Syria אַרְפָּד (ʼArpâd, H774) — Arpad, a place in Syria עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… סְפַרְוַיִם (Çᵉpharvayim, H5617) — Sepharvites הֵנַע (Hênaʻ, H2012) — Hena, a place apparently in Mesopotamia עִוָּה (ʻIvvâh, H5755) — Ivvah or Avva, a region of Assyria
Open source ↗חִזְקִיָּה (Chizqîyâh, H2396) — Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes
At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God,
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments.