Keraia
Isaiah 37

Isaiah 37:11

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

Translations

Modern
Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared?
Traditional
Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?
Literal
For behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the lands, devoting them to destruction—and you, will you be delivered?
Latin
Ecce tu audisti omnia quæ fecerunt reges Assyriorum omnibus terris, quas subverterunt: et tu poteris liberari?

Original

Hebrew
English
Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared?

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

Places

Assyria: A powerful ancient empire, often in conflict with Israel

Glossary

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

Topics

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