Isaiah 36:8 kjv
Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
Isaiah 36:8 nkjv
Now therefore, I urge you, give a pledge to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses?if you are able on your part to put riders on them!
Isaiah 36:8 niv
"?'Come now, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses?if you can put riders on them!
Isaiah 36:8 esv
Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.
Isaiah 36:8 nlt
"I'll tell you what! Strike a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you 2,000 horses if you can find that many men to ride on them!
Isaiah 36 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kings 18:31 | So shall the king of Assyria do. Hearken therefore to this exhortation: let not Hezekiah persuade you to serve another god. | Direct parallel, same event |
| Isaiah 7:4 | Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, in the highway of the fuller's field; | Divine counsel amidst crisis |
| 1 Kings 3:5 | In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. | The nature of asking God |
| Psalm 17:6 | I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. | Assurance of God's hearing |
| Psalm 118:5 | I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. | God answers in distress |
| Proverbs 15:29 | The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. | God hears the righteous |
| Jeremiah 33:3 | Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great things, and keep secret things. | God's promise to answer |
| Matthew 7:7 | Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: | Christ's teaching on asking |
| Luke 11:10 | For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. | Repetition of the promise |
| John 14:13-14 | And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. | Asking in Jesus' name |
| Acts 4:24 | And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God which hast made heaven and earth, and all therein. | Corporate prayer to God |
| Romans 10:12 | For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. | Universality of God's response |
| Philippians 4:6 | Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. | Making requests known |
| 1 Peter 3:12 | For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. | God hears the righteous |
| Genesis 16:2 | And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath prevented me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. | Plea for a hearing |
| 1 Samuel 1:13 | Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli perceived that she had poured out her soul unto the LORD. | Vocalized prayer |
| 2 Kings 19:8 | So the servants of the king of Assyria returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish. | Assyrian King's actions |
| Isaiah 37:8 | So the king of Assyria returned, and was found warring against Libnah: for he heard that he was departed from Lachish. | Parallel passage with same meaning |
| Daniel 3:7 | Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans drew near, and accused the Jews. | Accusations leading to crisis |
| Job 9:32-33 | For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is a judge betwixt us both. | Human inability to confront God directly |
Isaiah 36 verses
Isaiah 36 8 Meaning
The verse states, "Now therefore, in asking, please hear us." This is a humble and desperate plea from Hezekiah's representatives to Sennacherib, the Assyrian king. It's a plea for a hearing before making their counter-offer.
Isaiah 36 8 Context
This verse is part of the narrative in Isaiah chapter 36, which details the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah. The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, has just delivered a threatening speech, taunting Jerusalem and urging them to surrender. Hezekiah's officials, along with the people, are distressed by Rabshakeh's words. In response, they approach Hezekiah, tearfully requesting him not to yield to the Assyrian demands, and they present this plea to him as they strategize their next move, indicating a desire for a peaceful negotiation or at least a formal discussion of terms. This chapter marks a critical moment in the siege, where diplomatic avenues are being explored under immense pressure.
Isaiah 36 8 Word analysis
- "Now": Indicates a transition in time and a new action being taken.
- "therefore": Connects the preceding distress and request from the people to the action about to be proposed. It shows a logical consequence.
- "in asking": Refers to the act of making a request or proposition. It sets the stage for negotiation.
- "please": A word conveying humility, deference, and earnest entreaty. It shows they are not demanding but requesting.
- "hear us": A direct appeal for attention and consideration of their words. It implies a hope that their plea will be heeded.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Now therefore, in asking, please hear us.": This entire phrase forms a single, cohesive request. It's a respectful preamble to whatever counter-proposal or appeal Hezekiah and his officials intend to present to Sennacherib's representatives. The emphasis is on gaining a receptive audience before presenting their position.
Isaiah 36 8 Bonus section
This plea to "hear us" can be seen as a parallel to humanity's plea to God in prayer. Just as these officials sought a listening ear from a human authority, believers continually seek the ear of God, as promised in scripture. The effectiveness of their future negotiation, however, hinges on divine intervention and wisdom, which Isaiah had already foretold would be granted to Hezekiah. The response to this plea in the following verses of Isaiah chapter 36 and 37 details the Assyrian's continued arrogance, necessitating a faith-based reliance on God for deliverance.
Isaiah 36 8 Commentary
This verse captures a moment of immense pressure and vulnerability. Hezekiah's officials, facing the dire pronouncements of the Assyrian envoy, recognize the need for a careful and measured response. Their plea to Hezekiah is not one of defiance, but of requesting a proper hearing for their proposed approach to the Assyrians. It underscores the diplomatic effort employed by Judah, seeking to avert a catastrophic military confrontation through negotiation, even when facing overwhelming odds. The use of "please" highlights the dependent position they were in, needing the Assyrian leadership to be willing to listen before any potential resolution could be discussed.