He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city,' declares the LORD. He will go backThe phrase "He will go back" signifies a reversal of direction, indicating that the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, will retreat. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which means to return or turn back. This word is often used in the context of repentance or a change of heart, but here it signifies a physical withdrawal. Historically, this reflects the divine intervention where God promises that the threat posed by the Assyrian army will be nullified, and they will not succeed in their siege of Jerusalem. the way he came
This phrase emphasizes the futility of Sennacherib's campaign against Jerusalem. The Hebrew word "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh) means "way" or "path," and it is often used in the Bible to denote a journey or course of action. Theologically, this underscores the sovereignty of God over the plans of men. Despite Sennacherib's intentions, God declares that his path will lead him back to where he started, highlighting the divine control over human affairs. and he will not enter this city
The assurance "he will not enter this city" is a direct promise of protection for Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for "enter" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which means to come in or go into. This promise is significant in the context of ancient warfare, where the entry of an enemy into a city often meant its fall. God's declaration here is a powerful assurance of His protection over His people, reinforcing the idea that Jerusalem is under divine guardianship. declares the LORD
The phrase "declares the LORD" is a common prophetic formula in the Hebrew Bible, often used to assert the authority and certainty of the message. The Hebrew word "נְאֻם" (ne'um) is used here, which means "utterance" or "declaration." This phrase serves to remind the reader that the promise of deliverance is not merely a hopeful wish but a definitive statement from Yahweh Himself. It underscores the reliability and faithfulness of God to His word, providing comfort and assurance to the faithful. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe King of Judah during the time of the Assyrian threat. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his reliance on prayer. 2. SennacheribThe King of Assyria who invaded Judah and threatened Jerusalem. His army was known for its might and brutality. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, which was under siege by the Assyrian forces. It is a central place of worship and the location of the Temple. 4. IsaiahThe prophet who delivered God's message to King Hezekiah, assuring him of divine protection against the Assyrians. 5. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who promises to protect Jerusalem from the Assyrian invasion. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyThe verse highlights God's control over nations and leaders. Despite Sennacherib's power, God declares the outcome, demonstrating His ultimate authority. Faith in CrisisHezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat was to seek God in prayer. This teaches us the importance of turning to God in times of trouble. Divine ProtectionGod's promise to protect Jerusalem assures believers of His protection over their lives. Trusting in God's promises provides peace amidst threats. Fulfillment of ProphecyThe prophecy that Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem was fulfilled, reinforcing the reliability of God's word. God's FaithfulnessThe deliverance of Jerusalem is a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant people, encouraging believers to trust in His promises. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the context of Isaiah 37:34 enhance our understanding of God's promise to protect Jerusalem? 2. In what ways can Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat serve as a model for our own responses to crises? 3. How does the fulfillment of God's promise in Isaiah 37:34 strengthen our faith in the reliability of Scripture? 4. What are some modern-day "Assyrian threats" that believers face, and how can we apply the lessons from this passage to those situations? 5. How does the theme of divine protection in Isaiah 37:34 connect with other biblical accounts of God's deliverance, such as in Exodus 14 or Psalm 46? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 19This chapter parallels Isaiah 37 and provides additional context to the events, including Hezekiah's prayer and God's response through Isaiah. Psalm 46This psalm reflects the themes of God's protection and presence, which are evident in the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians. Exodus 14The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt mirrors God's intervention in protecting Jerusalem, showcasing His power and faithfulness. People Adrammelech, Amoz, Assyrians, David, Eliakim, Esarhaddon, Haran, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Sharezer, Shebna, TirhakahPlaces Ararat, Arpad, Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Gozan, Hamath, Haran, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Libnah, Mount Zion, Nineveh, Rezeph, Sepharvaim, Telassar, Tigris-Euphrates Region, ZionTopics Affirmation, Declares, Enter, Return, Says, Town, TurnethDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 37:21-38 5800 blasphemy Isaiah 37:33-35 5292 defence, divine Library Where to Carry Troubles
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.'--ISAIAH xxxvii. 14. When Hezekiah heard the threatenings of Sennacherib's servants, he rent his clothes and went into the house of the Lord, and sent to Isaiah entreating his prayers. When he received the menacing letter, his faith was greater, having been heartened by Isaiah's assurances. So he then himself appealed to Jehovah, spreading …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Triumph of Faith
'And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15. And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, 16. O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth. 17. Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open Thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations, …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was Ready to Die. He Attempts to Kill Himself. He Commands Antipater to be Slain.
1. Now Herod's distemper became more and more severe to him, and this because these his disorders fell upon him in his old age, and when he was in a melancholy condition; for he was already seventy years of age, and had been brought by the calamities that happened to him about his children, whereby he had no pleasure in life, even when he was in health; the grief also that Antipater was still alive aggravated his disease, whom he resolved to put to death now not at random, but as soon as he should …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and Salvation for Us.
1. Christ not only the minister, but also the author and prince of salvation. Divine grace not obscured by this mode of expression. The merit of Christ not opposed to the mercy of God, but depends upon it. 2. The compatibility of the two proved by various passages of Scripture. 3. Christ by his obedience truly merited divine grace for us. 4. This grace obtained by the shedding of Christ's blood, and his obedience even unto death. 5. In this way he paid our ransom. 6. The presumptuous manner in which …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Concerning the Lord's Supper
There are two passages which treat in the clearest manner of this subject, and at which we shall look,--the statements in the Gospels respecting the Lord's Supper, and the words of Paul. (1 Cor. xi.) Matthew, Mark, and Luke agree that Christ gave the whole sacrament to all His disciples; and that Paul taught both parts of it is so certain, that no one has yet been shameless enough to assert the contrary. Add to this, that according to the relation of Matthew, Christ did not say concerning the bread, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 37:34 NIVIsaiah 37:34 NLTIsaiah 37:34 ESVIsaiah 37:34 NASBIsaiah 37:34 KJV
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