Isaiah 36 1

Isaiah 36:1 kjv

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

Isaiah 36:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them.

Isaiah 36:1 niv

In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.

Isaiah 36:1 esv

In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them.

Isaiah 36:1 nlt

In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, King Sennacherib of Assyria came to attack the fortified towns of Judah and conquered them.

Isaiah 36 verses

Isaiah 36 1 Meaning

In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. This verse marks the beginning of the account of the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 36 1 Context

Isaiah chapter 36 begins a new section in the book, often called the "Deuteronomistic History" narrative interspersed within Isaiah's prophecies. This historical account details the Assyrian invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. The fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, approximately 701 BCE, was a pivotal moment. King Sennacherib of Assyria, having already subdued many surrounding nations, turned his attention to the wealthy kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem was the last major city standing after a string of successful Assyrian campaigns that had devastated the region, including the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel decades earlier. This invasion was a direct consequence of Hezekiah’s initial rebellion against Assyrian rule, which had been instigated by Assyrian vassalage. The geopolitical climate of the Ancient Near East at this time was dominated by the expansionist Assyrian empire. For the original audience, this narrative served as both a historical record and a theological lesson, demonstrating God's power to deliver His people even in the face of overwhelming opposition, contingent on their faith and obedience. It also underscored the vulnerability of nations to divine judgment.

Isaiah 36 1 Word Analysis

• In: Indicates a point in time.
• the: Definite article, specifying the following noun.
• fourteenth: Ordinal number denoting sequence.
• year: A unit of time.
• of: Denotes possession or belonging.
• King: Title for a supreme ruler.
• Hezekiah: (Chizkiyyahu) Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh strengthens" or "my strength is Yahweh." A significant Davidic king of Judah known for his righteousness and reforms.
• reign: The period of rule of a monarch.
• Sennacherib: (Sin-akhe-rib) Assyrian king who reigned from 705 to 681 BCE. A formidable military leader known for his campaigns in the Near East, including his siege of Jerusalem.
• king: As above.
• of: Denotes origin or possession.
• Assyria: A powerful ancient Mesopotamian empire.
• came up: Idiomatic expression in Hebrew for attacking or advancing militarily upon a territory. The Hebrew word is 'alah (עלה), meaning to ascend or go up, often used for invading a higher or more central territory like Judah from the north or east.
• against: Indicates opposition or hostile intent.
• all: Denotes the entirety of something.
• the: As above.
• fortified (or "walled"): Hebrew word betsurow (בְּצֻרוֹת) from batsar (בָּצַר), meaning to fence in, wall around, fortify, or blockade. It implies cities that were defended and meant to resist attack.
• cities: Settlements for human habitation.
• of (or "in"): Indicates location or presence within.
• Judah: The southern kingdom of Israel after the division, specifically the territory belonging to the tribe of Judah.

Words-Group Analysis

• "In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah": This phrase precisely dates the event, grounding it historically. It establishes the timeline for the invasion relative to a well-known righteous king of Judah, underscoring the severity of the threat that he faced.
• "Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah": This powerful statement summarizes the initial phase of the Assyrian military campaign. "Came up against" conveys a sense of powerful, direct assault. "All the fortified cities" emphasizes the comprehensiveness and overwhelming nature of the attack, highlighting that no defenses were spared and none were ultimately successful in repelling the Assyrian might before Jerusalem itself was threatened.

Isaiah 36 1 Bonus Section

The biblical account of Sennacherib's invasion, as detailed in Isaiah chapters 36-37, 2 Kings 18-19, and 2 Chronicles 32, is corroborated by extra-biblical evidence, most notably the Assyrian Sennacherib Prism (or Taylor Prism). This prism describes Sennacherib's own account of his campaign in the Levant, where he boasts of shutting up Hezekiah in Jerusalem "like a bird in a cage" and receiving tribute. While Sennacherib's prism confirms his campaign and his capture of Judaean cities, it notably omits any mention of the complete destruction of Jerusalem or any claim of conquering Hezekiah. This omission aligns remarkably with the biblical narrative where God intervenes to save Jerusalem from the Assyrian army, allowing biblical authors to frame Sennacherib's limited success in Judah as a partial validation of his power while ultimately highlighting God's decisive victory through supernatural means. The differing narratives underscore the theological interpretations placed upon historical events by their respective cultures.

Isaiah 36 1 Commentary

This verse sets the stage for a major historical and theological confrontation. Sennacherib's invasion was a severe test of Hezekiah's faith and Judah's national security. Assyria, at this time, was the preeminent superpower of the region. The capture of Judah’s fortified cities signifies the collapse of its defenses, leaving Jerusalem as the final bastion. This military disaster was understood within the biblical narrative as a consequence of past unfaithfulness and a prelude to a crisis that would be resolved through divine intervention, underscoring God's sovereignty over even the most formidable human powers. It foreshadows the dramatic deliverance that would occur, showcasing God’s unique role as the protector of His people.