What is the meaning of Isaiah 37:20?

And now, O LORD our God

- Hezekiah pivots from rehearsing Assyria’s threats to approaching the throne of grace (Isaiah 37:14-17; Hebrews 4:16).

- “LORD” (YHWH) stresses covenant faithfulness, while “our God” affirms relationship, echoing Moses’ intercession in Exodus 32:11-13 and the psalmist’s cry in Psalm 80:19.

- The king speaks for the nation, much like David in 2 Samuel 7:18-29, demonstrating that true leadership begins in humble prayer.

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save us from his hand

- The plea is concrete: deliverance from Sennacherib’s grasp (2 Kings 19:15-19; 2 Chronicles 32:20-21).

- Hezekiah trusts that history lies in God’s hand, not Assyria’s (Isaiah 37:26; Psalm 31:15).

- This dependence mirrors Jehoshaphat’s “Our eyes are on You” (2 Chronicles 20:12) and anticipates the literal answer when the angel of the LORD strikes 185,000 soldiers (Isaiah 37:36-38).

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so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know

- The request is missional, not merely national, aligning with Exodus 9:16, 1 Samuel 17:46, and 1 Kings 8:60.

- Israel’s calling has always been to bless the nations (Genesis 12:3; Psalm 67:1-4). Hezekiah longs for this victory to broadcast God’s supremacy.

- After the deliverance, surrounding peoples do take notice (2 Chronicles 32:22-23), previewing the Great Commission impulse of Acts 1:8.

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that You alone, O LORD, are God

- The climax affirms exclusive monotheism, echoing Deuteronomy 6:4 and Isaiah 45:5.

- In contrast to powerless idols (Isaiah 37:19; Psalm 115:3-8), the LORD needs no aid; He simply acts.

- The unseen God’s decisive victory over a visible army makes His uniqueness unmistakable, reinforcing Psalm 62:11 and foreshadowing the apostolic proclamation of Acts 17:24.

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summary

Isaiah 37:20 captures Hezekiah’s covenant-driven, God-centered prayer: “Deliver us, not for our comfort alone but so every nation will realize that You—and You alone—are God.” The subsequent miracle vindicates that faith, reminding every generation to seek God’s glory first, rest in His sovereignty, and expect Him to act powerfully in history.