Isaiah 37:4
New International Version
It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the field commander, whom his master, the king of Assyria, has sent to ridicule the living God, and that he will rebuke him for the words the LORD your God has heard. Therefore pray for the remnant that still survives.”

New Living Translation
But perhaps the LORD your God has heard the Assyrian chief of staff, sent by the king to defy the living God, and will punish him for his words. Oh, pray for those of us who are left!”

English Standard Version
It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the LORD your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Perhaps 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.”

King James Bible
It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.

New King James Version
It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to taunt the living God, and will avenge the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’”

NASB 1995
‘Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’”

NASB 1977
‘Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Perhaps Yahweh your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore, lift up a prayer for the remnant that is left.’”

Amplified Bible
It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh [the commander], whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to taunt and defy the living God, and will avenge the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant [of His people] that is left.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the royal spokesman, whom his master the king of Assyria sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore offer a prayer for the surviving remnant.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Perhaps Yahweh your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke him for the words that Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore offer a prayer for the surviving remnant.’”

American Standard Version
It may be Jehovah thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Jehovah thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.

Contemporary English Version
Please pray for those of us who are left alive. The king of Assyria sent his army commander to insult the living God. Perhaps the LORD heard what he said and will do something, if you will pray.

English Revised Version
It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD your God may have heard the words of the field commander. His master, the king of Assyria, sent him to defy the living God. The LORD your God may punish him because of the message that the LORD your God heard. Pray for the few people who are left."

Good News Translation
The Assyrian emperor has sent his chief official to insult the living God. May the LORD your God hear these insults and punish those who spoke them. So pray to God for those of our people who survive."

International Standard Version
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of the field commander, whom his master, the king of Assyria, sent to mock the living God, and perhaps he will rebuke the words that the LORD your God has heard. So lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives in this city."

Majority Standard Bible
Perhaps 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.?

NET Bible
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all these things the chief adviser has spoken on behalf of his master, the king of Assyria, who sent him to taunt the living God. When the LORD your God hears, perhaps he will punish him for the things he has said. So pray for this remnant that remains.'"

New Heart English Bible
It may be the LORD your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.

World English Bible
It may be Yahweh your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
It may be your God YHWH hears the words of Rabshakeh with which the king of Asshur his lord has sent him to reproach the living God, and has decided concerning the words that your God YHWH has heard, and you have lifted up prayer for the remnant that is found.”

Young's Literal Translation
'It may be Jehovah thy God doth hear the words of Rabshakeh with which the king of Asshur his lord hath sent him to reproach the living God, and hath decided concerning the words that Jehovah thy God hath heard, and thou hast lifted up prayer for the remnant that is found.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Perhaps Jehovah thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh whom his lord the king of Assur sent him to reproach the living God, and judge upon the words which Jehovah thy God heard; and lift thou up a prayer for the remnant being found.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
It may be the Lord thy God will hear the words of Rabsaces, whom the king of the Assyrians his master hath sent to blaspheme the living God, and to reproach with words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Perhaps, somehow, the Lord your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of the Assyrians, his lord, has sent to blaspheme the living God, and will rebuke the words that the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, lift up your prayers on behalf of the remnant which has been left behind.”

New American Bible
Perhaps the LORD, your God, will hear the words of the commander, whom his lord, the king of Assyria, sent to taunt the living God, and will rebuke him for the words which the LORD, your God, has heard. So lift up a prayer for the remnant that is here.”

New Revised Standard Version
It may be that the LORD your God heard the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the LORD your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
It may be the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rab-shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove him on account of the words which the LORD your God has heard; wherefore beseech and pray for the remnant that is left.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Doubtless LORD JEHOVAH your God shall hear the words of Rabshaqeh, whom his Master the Assyrian King sent, that he would insult the living God, and he shall rebuke him with the words that your God heard, and you shall seek and you shall pray for the remnant who are left
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rab-shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to taunt the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD thy God hath heard; wherefore make prayer for the remnant that is left.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
May the Lord thy God hear the words of Rabsaces, which the king of the Assyrians has sent, to reproach the living God, even to reproach with the words which the Lord thy God has heard: therefore thou shalt pray to thy Lord for these that are left.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaiah's Message of Deliverance
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,…

Cross References
2 Kings 19:4
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all 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.”

2 Chronicles 32:20
In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,

Isaiah 36:18-20
Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? / Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? / Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”

Isaiah 10:24-27
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD of Hosts says: “O My people who dwell in Zion, do not fear Assyria, who strikes you with a rod and lifts his staff against you as the Egyptians did. / For in just a little while My fury against you will subside, and My anger will turn to their destruction.” / And the LORD of Hosts will brandish a whip against them, as when He struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. He will raise His staff over the sea, as He did in Egypt. ...

Isaiah 31:4-5
For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights. / Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.”

Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us! We wait for You. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble.

Isaiah 7:7
But this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘It will not arise; it will not happen.

Isaiah 30:18-19
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him. / O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.

Isaiah 38:5-6
“Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. / And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

Jeremiah 42:2-4
Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes. / Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.” / “I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will surely pray to the LORD your God as you request, and I will tell you everything that the LORD answers. I will not withhold a word from you.”

Psalm 50:15
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”

Psalm 91:15
When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.

Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.

Psalm 55:16-17
But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. / Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.


Treasury of Scripture

It may be the LORD your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD your God has heard: why lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.

it may

Joshua 14:12
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

1 Samuel 14:6
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

2 Samuel 16:12
It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

to reproach

Isaiah 37:23,24
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel…

Isaiah 36:20
Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

Isaiah 51:7,8
Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings…

and will

Isaiah 37:23
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 50:21
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

lift up

1 Samuel 7:8
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 12:19,23
And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king…

2 Chronicles 32:20
And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

for the

Isaiah 1:9
Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Isaiah 8:7,8
Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: …

Isaiah 10:5,6,22
O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation…

left.

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Assyria Defy Hear Heard Lift Master Offer Perhaps Prayer Rabshakeh Rab-Shakeh Rebuke Remnant Reproach Reprove Taunt Wherefore Words
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Assyria Defy Hear Heard Lift Master Offer Perhaps Prayer Rabshakeh Rab-Shakeh Rebuke Remnant Reproach Reprove Taunt Wherefore Words
Isaiah 37
1. Hezekiah mourning, sends to Isaiah to pray for them
6. Isaiah comforts them
8. Sennacherib, going to encounter Tirhakah, sends a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah
14. Hezekiah's prayer
21. Isaiah's prophecy of the destruction of Sennacherib, and the good of Zion
36. An angel slays the Assyrians
37. Sennacherib is slain at Nineveh by his own sons.














Perhaps the LORD your God
The phrase begins with "Perhaps," indicating a sense of hope and uncertainty. The Hebrew root for "perhaps" (אוּלַי, 'ulay) suggests a possibility or hope for divine intervention. This reflects the faith of Hezekiah and his people, who, despite the dire circumstances, still hold onto the hope that God will act on their behalf. The use of "the LORD your God" emphasizes a personal relationship with Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, highlighting the intimacy and trust that Hezekiah places in God.

will hear the words of the Rabshakeh
The Rabshakeh was a high-ranking Assyrian official, and his words were meant to intimidate and demoralize the people of Judah. The Hebrew word for "hear" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just listening but also understanding and responding. This suggests that Hezekiah is appealing to God to not only be aware of the blasphemous words but to take them seriously and act upon them. The historical context here is crucial, as the Assyrian Empire was a dominant force, and their threats were not to be taken lightly.

whom his master the king of Assyria has sent
This phrase underscores the authority and power structure of the Assyrian Empire. The king of Assyria, likely Sennacherib at this time, was known for his military conquests and ruthless tactics. The sending of the Rabshakeh signifies a direct challenge not just to Judah but to their God. Historically, Assyria was known for its propaganda and psychological warfare, and this mission was part of that strategy.

to ridicule the living God
The term "ridicule" (חָרַף, charaph) in Hebrew conveys a sense of defiance and blasphemy. The Rabshakeh's words were not just an insult to the people but a direct affront to Yahweh, the "living God." This title for God emphasizes His active presence and power, contrasting with the lifeless idols of the surrounding nations. Theologically, this highlights the central conflict between the pagan nations and the God of Israel, who is alive and sovereign.

and will rebuke him for the words
The word "rebuke" (גָּעַר, ga'ar) in Hebrew suggests a strong reprimand or correction. Hezekiah is expressing his hope that God will not only hear but also respond decisively to the blasphemy. This reflects a common biblical theme where God defends His honor and the faith of His people by acting against those who oppose Him.

that the LORD your God has heard
Reiterating "the LORD your God" emphasizes the personal and covenantal relationship between God and His people. The assurance that God "has heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) reinforces the belief that God is attentive to the cries and concerns of His people. This is a source of comfort and hope for the faithful remnant in Judah.

Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that still survives
The call to "offer a prayer" (הֵרִים תְּפִלָּה, herim tefillah) is an appeal for intercession. The "remnant" (שְׁאָר, she'ar) refers to the faithful few who remain true to God amidst adversity. This concept of a remnant is significant throughout the Bible, symbolizing hope and continuity of God's promises. Historically, the survival of a remnant was crucial for the continuation of God's covenant with Israel.

(4) Lift up thy prayer for the remnant . . .--Isaiah's characteristic words (Isaiah 1:9; Isaiah 10:21) had impressed itself on the king's mind. Now that town after town of Judah had fallen into Sennacherib's hands (forty-six, according to his inscriptions--Records of the Past, i. 38), those who were gathered within the walls of Jerusalem were as a mere remnant of the people.

Verse 4. - It may be the Lord... will hear; i.e. "will notice," or "will punish." If Isaiah laid the matter before God, and prayed earnestly, it was possible that God would intervene to save Judah, and punish the blapshemous words uttered. The living God. In opposition to the dead idols of the heathen, which had neither life, nor breath, nor perception (see Psalm 115:4-8; Psalm 135:15-18). The remnant that is left. It is usual to explain this of Judah generally, which still survived, although Israel had been carried away captive. But perhaps the contrast is rather between the numerous Judaean captives who had been taken and conveyed to Assyria by Sennacherib when he took the "fenced cities" (Isaiah 36:1), and the portion of the nation which still remained in the land. Sennacherib says, in his annals, that he took "forty-six" cities, and carried captive to Assyria above two hundred thousand persons ('Records of the Past,' vol. 1. p. 38).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Perhaps
אוּלַ֡י (’ū·lay)
Adverb
Strong's 194: Perhaps

the LORD
יְהוָ֨ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

will hear
יִשְׁמַע֩ (yiš·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the words
דִּבְרֵ֣י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the Rab-shakeh,
שָׁקֵ֗ה (šā·qêh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7262: Rabshakeh -- perhaps 'chief of the officers', an Assyrian military leader

whom
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

his master
אֲדֹנָיו֙ (’ă·ḏō·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Assyria
אַשּׁ֤וּר ׀ (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

has sent
שְׁלָח֨וֹ (šə·lā·ḥōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

to defy
לְחָרֵף֙ (lə·ḥā·rêp̄)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2778: To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter

the living
חַ֔י (ḥay)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

God,
אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and He will rebuke him
וְהוֹכִ֙יחַ֙ (wə·hō·w·ḵî·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict

for the words
בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים (bad·də·ḇā·rîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

that
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has heard.
שָׁמַ֖ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

Therefore lift up
וְנָשָׂ֣אתָ (wə·nā·śā·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

a prayer
תְפִלָּ֔ה (ṯə·p̄il·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn

for
בְּעַ֥ד (bə·‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

the remnant
הַשְּׁאֵרִ֖ית (haš·šə·’ê·rîṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7611: Rest, residue, remnant, remainder

that still survives.?
הַנִּמְצָאָֽה׃ (han·nim·ṣā·’āh)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 37:4 It may be Yahweh your God will (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 37:3
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