Keraia
Isaiah 37

Isaiah 37:10

Sennacherib’s Blasphemous Letter · Isaiah 37:8–13
Read Isaiah 37

Translations

Modern
“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.
Traditional
Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trustest, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Literal
“Thus you will speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, ‘Let not your God deceive you, whom you trust in him, saying: Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Latin
Hæc dicetis Ezechiæ regi Judæ, loquentes: Non te decipiat Deus tuus in quo tu confidis, dicens: Non dabitur Jerusalem in manu regis Assyriorum.

Original

Hebrew
English
“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.

Notes

Isaiah 36:1–39:8

Jerusalem’s rescue from King Sennacherib of Assyria is a main event in Isaiah 1–39. The Lord promised to save his people. He would remain present with Jerusalem (see 7:14). He would also keep a remnant, a small group who would survive (see study note on Isaiah 10:20).

Much of the land became empty and the population greatly reduced. This happened because Judah made a foolish alliance with Assyria (chapters 7–8). Even so, the Lord did not allow total defeat. He preserved his people through Hezekiah, a faithful king.

Hezekiah faced the same kind of test that King Ahaz had faced. It was a test of trust in the Lord. In chapter 36, the Assyrian officer repeats the word trust as he challenges the people. But Hezekiah had learned from the earlier warnings in chapters 13–35. At least at first, he trusted God and passed the test.

This story also appears in 2 Kings 18:13–20:19.

Events

Parallels

2 Kings 19:8–13

People

Hezekiah: A righteous king of Judah Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Assyria: A powerful ancient empire, often in conflict with Israel Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Assyria, Assyrians Hezekiah History of Israel Inscriptions Isaiah, Book of Kings, Books of First and Second Micah (Person) Shebna

Topics

Blasphemy: General Scriptures Concerning Blasphemy: Rabshakeh, in the Siege of Jerusalem Letters: Rabshakeh to Hezekiah Libnah: A City of the Tribe of Judah, Captured by Joshua: Sennacherib Besieged