Isaiah’s Message of Deliverance 1On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. 2And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz 3to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them. 4Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.” 5So the servants of King Hezekiah went to Isaiah, 6who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’” Sennacherib’s Blasphemous Letter 8When the Rabshakeh heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah. 9Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush:a “He has set out to fight against you.” On hearing this, Sennacherib sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 10“Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 11Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction.b Will you then be spared? 12Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? 13Where are the kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?’” Hezekiah’s Prayer 14So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. 15And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: 16“O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. 17Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to all the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. 18Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all these countries and their lands. 19They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands. 20And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.c” Sennacherib’s Fall Prophesied 21Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you have prayed to Me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22this is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem 23Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! 24Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses.d I have reached its farthest heights, 25I have dug wells and drunk foreigne waters. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.” 26Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities 27Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorchedf before it is grown. 28But I know your sitting down, your going out and coming in, 29Because your rage and arrogance against Me have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will send you back 30And this will be a sign to you, O Hezekiah: This year you will eat what grows on its own, and in the second year what springs from the same. But in the third year you will sow and reap; you will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 31And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root below 32For a remnant will go forth from Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts 33So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. 34He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city,’ 35‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’” Jerusalem Delivered from the Assyrians 36Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got upg the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! 37So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. 38One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place. Footnotes: 9 a That is, the upper Nile region 11 b Forms of the Hebrew cherem refer to the giving over of things or persons, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering. 20 c DSS (see also 2 Kings 19:19); MT You alone are the LORD 24 d Or pines or junipers or firs 25 e DSS (see also 2 Kings 19:24); MT does not include foreign. 27 f DSS, some MT manuscripts, and some LXX manuscripts (see also 2 Kings 19:26); most MT manuscripts on the rooftops and terraced fields 36 g Hebrew When they got up Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible. Bible Hub  Isaiah 37 Summary Isaiah's Message of DeliveranceVerses 1–4 – Hezekiah’s Distress and Appeal Verses 5–7 – A Word from the LORD Verses 8–13 – Sennacherib Doubles Down Verses 14–20 – Hezekiah’s Temple Prayer Verses 21–29 – God’s Rebuke of Assyria Verses 30–32 – The Sign of Survival Verses 33–35 – Divine Promise of Protection Verses 36–38 – The Angel Strikes and the King Falls Isaiah 37 is a remarkable chapter in the Bible where we witness the raw desperation of King Hezekiah in the face of an impending Assyrian invasion, his passionate plea to God, and the Almighty's profound response to his servant's prayer. In this chapter, we see a wonderful portrayal of the power of prayer, the assurance of God's protection, and the downfall of the proud. Historical Setting: Judah on the Brink • Timeframe: 701 BC, near the end of Assyria’s western campaign. • Political map: Samaria has fallen (722 BC); most Judean towns now lie in ruins. Only Jerusalem remains. • Hezekiah’s earlier submission and tribute (2 Kings 18:14–16) bought a temporary pause, but Sennacherib pressed on to capture fortified cities like Lachish (Isaiah 36:2). Assyria’s Siege Tactics and Psychological Warfare The Rabshakeh’s speeches (ch. 36) and letter (37:10–13) aim to: 1. Undermine faith in the LORD. 2. Magnify Assyrian conquests (“Where is the king of Hamath…?”). 3. Promote surrender without battle—an approach confirmed by Assyrian annals boasting of cities “whose inhabitants I carried away without a spear being lifted.” God answers every taunt point-for-point, showing that intimidation collapses against faith. Archaeological Evidence • Lachish Reliefs: Unearthed in Nineveh’s palace, they depict Sennacherib’s victory at Lachish exactly as Isaiah records—siege ramps, impalements, captive marches. • Taylor Prism (or Sennacherib Prism): Lists “Hezekiah the Jew” shut up in Jerusalem “like a bird in a cage,” confirming the siege yet omitting any capture. • Assyrian camp death: No extrabiblical tablet tells of the 185,000 loss—expected, since kings did not chronicle disasters—but later Greek historian Herodotus reports a plague wiping out Sennacherib’s force in Egypt, a possible echo of the same event. Key Figures and Offices • Hezekiah: A reformer king (2 Chron 29–31), allies with Egypt briefly, ultimately stands alone with God. • Isaiah son of Amoz: Veteran prophet in his forties of ministry; he counsels quiet trust (Isaiah 30:15). • Sennacherib: Proud Assyrian monarch, builder of Nineveh’s palace; assassinated 681 BC. • The Angel of the LORD: God’s special messenger-warrior, earlier appearing in Exodus 12:29; Judges 6:12; 2 Kings 19:35 (parallel). Hezekiah’s Prayer: A Model of Intercession 1. Begins with worship: “You made the heavens and the earth” (37:16). 2. Presents reality: “The kings of Assyria have laid waste…” (37:18). 3. Confesses truth: False gods are “wood and stone” (37:19). 4. Seeks God’s honor: “So that all the kingdoms of the earth may know…” (37:20). This pattern reappears in Acts 4:24–30 when the early church prays for boldness. The Angel of the LORD Scripture portrays this figure as: • Guide (Exodus 14:19), • Defender (Psalm 34:7), • Judge (2 Samuel 24:15–17). In Isaiah 37:36 He is again a lone operative, underscoring that God does not need human armies to fulfill His word. The Sign of the Third Year War ruined planting cycles. God’s sign spans: • Year 1 – Volunteer grain growing from fallen seed. • Year 2 – Growth from that seed bank again. • Year 3 – Normal agriculture resumes. The promise answers daily bread concerns before military fears, revealing God’s care for everyday life. Remnant Hope Isaiah has preached about a remnant since chapter 1. Now, amid crisis, God says, “A remnant…will again take root” (37:31). Paul quotes this idea in Romans 9:27 to show how God preserves a people even in judgment. Connections to Other Scriptures • Parallel narrative: 2 Kings 19; 2 Chronicles 32. • Psalm 46, 76, 91 likely celebrate this deliverance (“Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings desolations on the earth,” Psalm 46:8). • Micah 5:5 speaks of Assyria’s fall and the peace of Messiah, linking historical deliverance to ultimate hope. Literary Features and Structure 1. Chiastic flow—distress, prayer, prophecy, deliverance. 2. Sharp contrast of speeches: Assyria’s boasts vs. God’s decree. 3. Repetition of “remnant” and “the LORD of Hosts” to anchor the theme. Practical Takeaways • Crisis should drive believers to the house of God, not away from it. • Prayer that seeks God’s glory invites powerful answers. • Human arrogance collapses before divine sovereignty. • God defends His promises even when His people are powerless. Aftermath and Later History • Esarhaddon succeeds Sennacherib, confirms his father’s failed Judah campaign by avoiding another siege and instead taking tribute. • Judah enjoys relative peace during Hezekiah’s remaining years, illustrating God’s stated purpose: “I will defend this city…for the sake of My servant David” (37:35). Bottom Line Isaiah 37 records a real siege, a real prayer, and a real rescue. The account shouts through the centuries: no power outshines the LORD of Hosts, and no plea uttered in humble faith goes unheard. Connections to Additional Scriptures 2 Kings 19This parallel account provides additional details on Hezekiah's response and God's deliverance. Philippians 4:6-7 Encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising peace in return. Psalm 46:1 Reminds us that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. James 5:16 Highlights the power of a righteous person's prayer, emphasizing the importance of prayer in our lives. Teaching Points Hezekiah's Humility and FaithWhen Hezekiah hears the threats from the Assyrian king, he tears his clothes, covers himself with sackcloth, and goes into the house of the LORD (Isaiah 37:1). This act of humility and faith sets the stage for divine intervention. Seeking Godly Counsel Hezekiah sends his officials to the prophet Isaiah, seeking a word from the LORD (Isaiah 37:2-4). This demonstrates the importance of seeking godly counsel in times of trouble. God's Assurance through Isaiah The LORD, through Isaiah, assures Hezekiah that He will defend the city and that the Assyrian king will not succeed (Isaiah 37:6-7). This promise highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Hezekiah's Prayer In response to further threats, Hezekiah prays earnestly to the LORD, acknowledging His power and asking for deliverance (Isaiah 37:15-20). This prayer is a model of trust and dependence on God. Divine Intervention God responds to Hezekiah's prayer by sending an angel to strike down the Assyrian army, leading to their retreat (Isaiah 37:36-37). This miraculous deliverance underscores God's ability to save His people. Practical Applications Turn to God in CrisisLike Hezekiah, we should turn to God first when faced with overwhelming challenges, trusting in His power and wisdom. Seek Godly Advice In difficult times, seek guidance from those who are grounded in God's Word, just as Hezekiah sought Isaiah's counsel. Pray with Faith Approach God with sincere and faith-filled prayers, believing in His ability to intervene in our circumstances. Trust in God's Promises Hold fast to the promises of God, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His word. People 1. HezekiahHezekiah is the king of Judah during the time of the Assyrian siege. He is depicted as a faithful and prayerful leader who seeks God's guidance and deliverance from the threat posed by the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. In Hebrew, his name means "Yahweh strengthens." 2. Isaiah Isaiah is the prophet of God who provides counsel and reassurance to King Hezekiah. He delivers God's message of deliverance and judgment against the Assyrians. The name Isaiah means "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. 3. Sennacherib Sennacherib is the king of Assyria, who threatens Jerusalem and mocks the God of Israel. He is portrayed as a powerful but arrogant ruler whose plans are ultimately thwarted by divine intervention. His name in Akkadian means "Sin (the moon god) has replaced the brothers." 4. Rabshakeh Rabshakeh is the chief cupbearer or high-ranking official of the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. He is sent to deliver a message of intimidation and blasphemy against the God of Israel to the people of Jerusalem. The term "Rabshakeh" is a title rather than a personal name, meaning "chief of the princes" in Akkadian. 5. Eliakim Eliakim is the son of Hilkiah and serves as the palace administrator or steward under King Hezekiah. He is one of the officials sent by Hezekiah to consult with Isaiah. His name means "God will establish" in Hebrew. 6. Shebna Shebna is the scribe or secretary under King Hezekiah. He is also sent to consult with Isaiah regarding the Assyrian threat. His name means "vigorous" or "youth" in Hebrew. 7. Joah Joah is the son of Asaph and serves as the recorder or chronicler under King Hezekiah. He accompanies Eliakim and Shebna to meet with Isaiah. His name means "Yahweh is brother" in Hebrew. Places 1. JerusalemJerusalem is the central location in Isaiah 37, where King Hezekiah reigns and where the Assyrian threat is directed. It is the holy city of the Israelites and the location of the temple. In Hebrew, Jerusalem is "יְרוּשָׁלַיִם" (Yerushalayim), often seen as a symbol of God's presence and the spiritual heart of Israel. 2. Lachish Lachish is mentioned as the place from which the Assyrian king Sennacherib sends his envoys to Jerusalem. It was a significant fortified city in Judah, known for its strategic military importance. The Hebrew name is "לָכִישׁ" (Lakhish). 3. Libnah Libnah is another city mentioned in the context of the Assyrian campaign. After leaving Lachish, Sennacherib moves to Libnah. It was a city in the Shephelah region of Judah. The Hebrew name is "לִבְנָה" (Livnah). Events 1. Hezekiah Seeks the LORDWhen King Hezekiah hears the report from his officials about the threats from the Assyrian king, he tears his clothes, covers himself with sackcloth, and goes into the house of the LORD (Isaiah 37:1). This act of tearing clothes and wearing sackcloth is a traditional Hebrew expression of mourning and repentance. 2. Hezekiah Sends Messengers to Isaiah Hezekiah sends Eliakim, Shebna, and the leading priests, also dressed in sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah, seeking his counsel and intercession (Isaiah 37:2). This reflects the Hebrew practice of seeking prophetic guidance in times of national crisis. 3. Isaiah’s Message of Assurance Isaiah responds to Hezekiah’s messengers with a message from the LORD, telling them not to be afraid of the words spoken by the Assyrian king’s servants. God promises to send a spirit upon the Assyrian king, causing him to hear a rumor and return to his own land, where he will fall by the sword (Isaiah 37:5-7). 4. The Assyrian Threat Renewed The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, sends a letter to Hezekiah, reiterating his threats and mocking the God of Israel, claiming that no god of any nation has been able to deliver their land from his hand (Isaiah 37:9-13). 5. Hezekiah’s Prayer Hezekiah takes the letter from the messengers, goes up to the house of the LORD, and spreads it out before the LORD. He prays earnestly, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and asking for deliverance so that all kingdoms of the earth may know that the LORD alone is God (Isaiah 37:14-20). 6. God’s Response through Isaiah Isaiah sends a message to Hezekiah, conveying the LORD’s response to his prayer. God declares that He has heard Hezekiah’s prayer and will defend the city for His own sake and for the sake of His servant David (Isaiah 37:21-35). 7. The Fall of the Assyrian Army The angel of the LORD goes out and strikes down 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. When the people arise early in the morning, they find all the dead bodies (Isaiah 37:36). This miraculous event demonstrates God’s power and faithfulness to protect His people. 8. Sennacherib’s Death Sennacherib, king of Assyria, departs and returns to Nineveh. While worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, he is assassinated by his own sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, who then escape to the land of Ararat. Esarhaddon, his son, succeeds him as king (Isaiah 37:37-38). This fulfills the prophecy given by Isaiah regarding Sennacherib’s fate. Topics 1. Hezekiah Seeks the LORD (Isaiah 37:1-4)In response to the threats from the Assyrian king, Hezekiah tears his clothes and covers himself with sackcloth, a traditional Hebrew sign of mourning and repentance. He goes to the house of the LORD, seeking divine intervention. He sends messengers to the prophet Isaiah, asking for prayer and guidance, acknowledging the dire situation as a "day of distress" (Hebrew: יוֹם צָרָה, yom tsarah). 2. Isaiah's Prophecy of Deliverance (Isaiah 37:5-7) Isaiah reassures Hezekiah's messengers with a prophecy from the LORD, stating that he should not fear the words of the Assyrian king. The LORD promises to send a spirit (Hebrew: רוּחַ, ruach) upon the Assyrian king, causing him to return to his own land where he will fall by the sword. 3. Sennacherib's Threat Renewed (Isaiah 37:8-13) The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, sends a letter to Hezekiah, reiterating his threats and mocking the God of Israel. He boasts of his past conquests and questions the ability of any god to save Jerusalem from his hand, reflecting the Assyrian belief in their own invincibility. 4. Hezekiah's Prayer (Isaiah 37:14-20) Hezekiah takes the letter from the messengers, goes to the house of the LORD, and spreads it before the LORD. In a heartfelt prayer, he acknowledges the LORD as the one true God, creator of heaven and earth, and pleads for deliverance so that all kingdoms of the earth may know that the LORD alone is God. 5. The LORD's Answer through Isaiah (Isaiah 37:21-35) The LORD responds to Hezekiah's prayer through Isaiah, declaring that He has heard Hezekiah's prayer. The LORD pronounces judgment on Sennacherib, emphasizing His sovereignty and the futility of Sennacherib's pride. The LORD promises that the Assyrian king will not enter Jerusalem, and He will defend the city for His own sake and for the sake of David, His servant. 6. The Fall of the Assyrian Army (Isaiah 37:36-38) The angel of the LORD (Hebrew: מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה, mal'akh YHWH) strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to a miraculous deliverance for Jerusalem. Sennacherib returns to Nineveh, where he is later assassinated by his own sons, fulfilling the prophecy given by Isaiah. This event underscores the power and faithfulness of the LORD in protecting His people. Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty and PowerIsaiah 37 emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over nations and kings. In verse 16, Hezekiah prays, "O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth." This highlights the Hebrew concept of God's omnipotence and His role as the Creator, underscoring His ability to control the fate of nations. 2. Prayer and Dependence on God The chapter illustrates the importance of seeking God in times of crisis. Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat is to turn to prayer, as seen in verse 15: "And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD." This theme reflects the Hebrew understanding of prayer as a means of expressing trust and reliance on God's intervention. 3. God's Deliverance and Protection God's promise to deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrian siege is a central theme. In verse 35, God declares, "I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David." This assurance of divine protection is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people, emphasizing His faithfulness. 4. Judgment Against Pride and Blasphemy The chapter addresses the consequences of pride and blasphemy, particularly in the context of Sennacherib's arrogance. In verse 23, God asks, "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!" This theme reflects the Hebrew understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of defying Him. 5. Fulfillment of Prophecy Isaiah 37 highlights the fulfillment of God's prophetic word. In verse 33, the prophecy states, "He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here." The subsequent events confirm the accuracy of God's word, reinforcing the theme of His faithfulness to His promises. 6. The Role of the Prophet The chapter underscores the role of the prophet as a messenger of God's word. Isaiah's involvement in delivering God's message to Hezekiah, as seen in verse 6, "Isaiah said to them, 'Tell your master that this is what the LORD says...,'" highlights the Hebrew tradition of prophecy as a means of divine communication and guidance. Answering Tough Questions 1. How can Isaiah 37:36 claim that an angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight without any verifiable historical or archaeological evidence? Bible Study Discussion Questions 1. How does King Hezekiah's initial reaction to the threat from Sennacherib reflect his faith in God? 2. What does Hezekiah's prayer reveal about his understanding of God's nature? 3. How does this chapter illustrate the power and importance of prayer during times of crisis? 4. In what ways does God's response to Hezekiah's prayer demonstrate His love and protection for His people? 5. What can we learn from Isaiah's role as a prophet and a mediator in this chapter? 6. How does the downfall of Sennacherib illustrate the dangers of pride and blasphemy? 7. What are some of the key themes in this chapter, and how are they relevant to your own life? 8. How would you react to a situation like Hezekiah's, facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge? 9. Can you identify a situation in your life where you felt God's intervention, similar to the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians? 10. How can you apply Hezekiah's faith and dependence on God in your day-to-day life? 11. How does Isaiah 37 affirm the sovereignty of God, and how does this truth provide comfort in difficult times? 12. Compare Sennacherib's perspective on God to that of Hezekiah's. How does their understanding of God influence their actions and outcomes? 13. How can you cultivate a prayer life like Hezekiah's in your personal spiritual journey? 14. How does God’s prophecy against Sennacherib reassure you of God’s justice? 15. How does the chapter encourage you to handle fear and intimidation from a biblical perspective? 16. Can you recall a moment when you were forced to face your pride like Sennacherib? How did you respond? 17. How does this chapter help us understand the role and importance of prophecy in the Bible? 18. How can you apply the message of God's protection in Jerusalem to your current situation or community? 19. How does Hezekiah’s plea for God to be glorified in Isaiah 37:20 influence your motivations in prayer? 20. How can you use this chapter as a guide to pray for those in leadership, like Hezekiah, who face difficult decisions? Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions |
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