Isaiah 37 11

Isaiah 37:11 kjv

Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?

Isaiah 37:11 nkjv

Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered?

Isaiah 37:11 niv

Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered?

Isaiah 37:11 esv

Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered?

Isaiah 37:11 nlt

You know perfectly well what the kings of Assyria have done wherever they have gone. They have completely destroyed everyone who stood in their way! Why should you be any different?

Isaiah 37 verses

Isaiah 37 11 Meaning

This verse describes King Hezekiah's prayer to God, expressing his trust in the Lord's power and his recognition of God's sovereignty. Hezekiah is appealing to God's faithfulness and past actions, emphasizing that God alone can deliver them from the Assyrian threat, just as God is enthroned above all powers and kingdoms.

Isaiah 37 11 Context

This verse is found in Isaiah chapter 37, which details King Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian king Sennacherib's threats. Sennacherib had already conquered many fortified cities of Judah and was now threatening Jerusalem. The Assyrian commander had delivered a blasphemous message to Hezekiah, urging the people not to trust in the LORD. Hezekiah, in turn, tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went into the temple to pray. This verse is a part of his heartfelt prayer to God, seeking divine intervention and deliverance. The broader context is the divine assurance that God hears prayers and will act on behalf of His people, demonstrating His ultimate power and authority over earthly kings and nations.

Isaiah 37 11 Word analysis

• “Lord”: Hebrew: Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) - signifies master, lord, owner. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty and authority over all things, including human rulers and circumstances.

• “Almighty”: Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth (יהוה צְבָאוֹת) - the LORD of hosts. This title refers to God's supreme power and command over all celestial armies and earthly powers. It underscores His ability to defeat any enemy, no matter how powerful.

• “God of Israel”: Hebrew: Elohei Yisrael (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) - connects God's universal sovereignty with His particular covenant relationship with Israel. It reminds God of His promises and commitments to His chosen people.

• “enthroned between the cherubim”: Hebrew: yōšēḇ hakkə·rū·wḇîm (יוֹשֵׁב הַכְּרוּבִים) - refers to the specific depiction of God’s presence dwelling in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, signified by the cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant. This visual signifies God's immanence, being present with His people, while also ruling from heaven.

• “You are God, you alone”: Hebrew: ’attâ-hū ’ĕlō·whîm ’attâ-lā·ḇād (אַתָּה־הוּא אֱלֹהִים אַתָּה לְבַד) - a strong declaration of monotheism and God's absolute uniqueness. Hezekiah acknowledges that Yahweh is the one true God, distinct from all the gods of the surrounding nations.

• “of all the kingdoms of the earth”: Hebrew: lə·ḵāl mĕ·lĕ·ḵê ·hā ·’ā·reṣ (לְכֹל מַלְכֵי הָאָרֶץ) - emphasizes God's supreme dominion not just over Israel, but over every earthly empire and ruler.

• “You have made heaven and earth”: Hebrew: ’attâ — ʕā·śî·ṯā ’et-hāš·šā·mā·yiṯ wĕ·’et-hā·’ā·reṣ (אַתָּה — עָשִׂיתָ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ) - points to God's role as Creator, the ultimate source of all existence, thus possessing intrinsic authority and power to control all His creation.

• Elohei Yisrael and Yahweh Sabaoth together: This combination highlights both God's covenantal faithfulness to Israel and His supreme authority over all forces, enabling Him to act for their deliverance.

• The contrast of "alone" and "all the kingdoms of the earth": This phrasing starkly contrasts God's singular divine status with the plurality of earthly powers, reinforcing His unique and supreme position.

• The affirmation of creation before asking for intervention: By first acknowledging God as the Creator, Hezekiah lays the foundation for His ability to intervene in the present crisis, as the one who sovereignly controls all things.

Isaiah 37 11 Bonus section

This verse reflects a fundamental aspect of Israelite theology, often referred to as "political theology." It asserts that God is not just the God of a particular nation but the supreme sovereign over all nations and rulers. This divine authority was often contrasted with the territorial and capricious deities of surrounding cultures. The image of God "enthroned between the cherubim" is a specific representation of His presence in Israel's midst, but coupled with His being sovereign over all earthly kingdoms, it paints a comprehensive picture of God's relationship to both the particular and the universal. The prayer underscores the idea that military might and political alliances are ultimately secondary to God's power and plan. This understanding of God’s sovereignty over all governments and peoples is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, shaping Israel's identity and their relationship with God.

Isaiah 37 11 Commentary

Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah 37:16 is a powerful testament to faith in the face of overwhelming odds. By invoking God as "Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim," he grounds his appeal in God's covenantal presence and supreme authority. The declaration "You are God—you alone—of all the kingdoms of the earth" establishes God's ultimate sovereignty over human powers and historical events, a crucial truth against Sennacherib's arrogant boasts. Hezekiah acknowledges God as the Creator of everything, underscoring that the earthly king who threatens Jerusalem is merely a created being subject to the Creator's ultimate command. This prayer isn't just a plea for help; it's a theological statement of belief in the true nature of God. It reminds us that even in our darkest hours, acknowledging God's unique majesty and power is the foundation of true hope and effective prayer.