Isaiah 37:18 kjv
Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,
Isaiah 37:18 nkjv
Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands,
Isaiah 37:18 niv
"It is true, LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands.
Isaiah 37:18 esv
Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands,
Isaiah 37:18 nlt
"It is true, LORD, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed all these nations.
Isaiah 37 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 37:18 | "You have laid them in the dust..." | Direct quote |
| Psalm 115:4-7 | "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear; they have noses, but do not smell; they have hands, but do not feel; they have feet, but do not walk; they make no sound in their throat." | Similar description of idol's helplessness |
| Psalm 135:15-18 | "The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them." | Parallel description and consequence of trusting idols |
| Isaiah 2:8 | "Their land is also full of horses; neither is there any end to their chariots. Their land is also full of horses; neither is there any end to their chariots." | Description of a nation's idolatrous military might |
| Isaiah 10:7-14 | Assur's boasting and God's judgment on its pride and idol worship. | Assyria's pride and reliance on its gods |
| Jeremiah 10:11 | "Thus you shall say to them: 'The gods who have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.'" | Explicit declaration against pagan gods |
| Jeremiah 51:17-18 | "Every goldsmith is disgraced by his idols; for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, and their absurd mockery; in the time of their punishment they will perish." | Similar description of worthless idols and their doom |
| Revelation 21:4 | "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes..." | God's final victory and comfort for His people |
| 1 Corinthians 8:4 | "Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that 'an idol is nothing in the world,' and that 'there is no other God but one.'" | The theological truth about idols being nothing |
| 1 John 5:21 | "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." | Exhortation against idolatry |
| Psalm 96:5 | "For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens." | Contrast between false gods and the Creator God |
| Deuteronomy 7:25 | "You shall burn their carved images with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God." | Command to destroy idols and not be tempted by them |
| Habakkuk 2:18-19 | "What profit does the graven image make, when its maker has graven it, a molten image, a teacher of lies? For the maker trusts in his own handiwork when he makes mute idols." | The futility and falsehood of idols made by man |
| Isaiah 41:23-24 | "'Declare what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; indeed, do good or do evil, that we may be dismayed and utterly see it. Behold, you are less than nothing, and what you do is worse than nothing.'" | God's challenge to idols to prove their power |
| Psalm 37:35-36 | "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading like a luxuriant native tree, but he passed, and behold, he was no more; I sought him, but he could not be found." | The transience of the wicked compared to the permanence of God's word |
| Matthew 6:24 | "No one can serve two masters..." | Cannot serve God and idols |
| Galatians 5:20 | "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." | Idolatry listed as a work of the flesh |
| 1 John 5:20 | "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." | Identifying the true God |
Isaiah 37 verses
Isaiah 37 18 Meaning
This verse powerfully illustrates the complete destruction and incapacitation of the idols worshipped by the nations surrounding Judah. It emphasizes that these idols are utterly useless and incapable of offering any protection or intervention. Their lack of voice and absence of life highlight the futility of relying on them instead of the true God. The imagery presented underscores God's sovereignty and His power to both humble His enemies and vindicate His people.
Isaiah 37 18 Context
This chapter describes the prophet Isaiah delivering a message from God to King Hezekiah regarding the imminent destruction of the Assyrian army. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, had previously conquered many nations and was now threatening Jerusalem. The Assyrians, confident in their military might and their gods, had sent taunting messages to Hezekiah. Isaiah, on behalf of God, declares that Assyria will be utterly defeated. Verse 18 is part of this prophetic declaration of judgment against the pagan deities that Sennacherib relied upon, portraying their ultimate powerlessness in the face of Yahweh's sovereign will. The chapter highlights Hezekiah's faith and prayer, and God's decisive intervention to save Jerusalem and vindicate His name among the nations.
Isaiah 37 18 Word Analysis
- And (וְ – ve): A conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding one, emphasizing the consequence of the idols' existence.
- their (לָהֶם – lahem): A possessive pronoun referring to the gods of the nations or the nations themselves.
- graven (פֶּסֶל – pesel): This Hebrew word means "carving," "image," or "idol," referring to an image or statue made by carving. It specifically denotes something wrought or fashioned, highlighting the human artifice involved.
- images (וּמַסֵּכָה – u’massekhah): Connected with pesel, this word refers to "molten image" or "cast image." The combination signifies idols made through various craftsmanship methods—carving and casting—covering the spectrum of idolatrous production.
- You (אַתָּה – atta): Referring to God, the subject of the action, emphasizing His active role in dealing with these idols.
- have laid (נָתַתָּ – natata): The Qal perfect form of the verb נָתַן (natan), meaning "to give," "to put," or "to lay." It signifies a completed action of placing or setting down.
- them (אֹתָם – otam): The direct object pronoun referring to the "graven images" and "molten images."
- in (בְּ – be): A preposition indicating location.
- dust (עָפָר – aphar): Meaning "dust," "dry earth," or "powder." This imagery signifies utter ruin, degradation, and return to nothingness, the ultimate fate of idols.
- you (אַתָּה – atta): Again, God as the active agent.
- did cast (נָסַכְתָּ – nasakhta): The Qal perfect form of the verb נָסַךְ (nasakh), meaning "to pour out," "to cast (metal)," or "to libate." It signifies the act of creating the molten images and implies God's power over their very making.
- them (אֹתָם – otam): The direct object pronoun again referring to the idols.
- down (תְּהוֹם – tehom): Literally "deep," "depth," "abyss." Here, it functions idiomatically to emphasize the depth of ruin or being cast down into a state of nothingness, signifying the complete defeat and desolation of the idols. The sense is that they were cast down into the ultimate pit of non-existence or utter destruction, rendered into worthless matter.
- nor (וְלֹא – v’lo): A conjunction of negation, further emphasizing the absence of power.
- shall they (וְהֵמָּה – v’hemma): Pronoun referring to the idols.
- be (תִּהְיֶיןָ – tihyena): Future tense of the verb הָיָה (hayah), meaning "to be," "to become," or "to exist." It implies their ongoing state of being rendered powerless.
- any (לֹא – lo): Negating their ability to deliver or offer any assistance.
- more (עוֹד – od): Signifying continuance or further duration, indicating that their period of deception and false power is over.
- to (לְ – le): Preposition indicating purpose or effect.
- help (הוֹשִׁיעַ – hoshi’a): The Hiphil infinitive construct of the verb יָשַׁע (yasha), meaning "to save," "to deliver," or "to help." It emphasizes their complete inability to provide salvation or assistance.
Word Group Analysis:
- "graven images and molten images" (פֶּסֶל וּמַסֵּכָה – pesel u’massekhah): This pairing covers all forms of man-made deities, representing the comprehensive futility of idolatry.
- "laid them in dust" (נָתַתָּ לְעָפָר – natata l’aphar): This powerful metaphor signifies complete destruction, reduction to insignificance and oblivion.
- "did cast them down" (נָסַכְתָּ אֹתָם תְּהוֹם – nasakhta otam tehom): This emphasizes their complete defeat, as if thrown into the deepest pit of destruction, devoid of any essence.
- "shall they be any more to help" (וְהֵמָּה לֹא יוֹשִׁיעוּ עוֹד – v’hemma lo yoshi’u od): This conclusive statement seals the doom of the idols, highlighting their utter and eternal inability to offer any aid.
Isaiah 37 18 Bonus Section
The use of "tehom" (תהום), translated here as "down" or "abyss," is significant. In other biblical contexts, "tehom" often refers to the primeval watery abyss, the chaotic depths before creation (Genesis 1:2). Here, it is repurposed to describe the utter chaos and dissolution into which these idols are plunged, signifying a reversal of order and a reduction to nothingness. It's a linguistic echo that associates the downfall of these idols with the forces of non-existence that God overcame at creation. The totality of their destruction is thus conveyed with profound theological weight. The assurance that they can "be any more to help" emphasizes the permanence of God's victory and the ultimate irrelevance of all false gods.
Isaiah 37 18 Commentary
This verse stands as a stark declaration of God's triumph over the pagan deities. The imagery of laying idols in the dust and casting them down into the abyss ("tehom") portrays not merely physical destruction but a total annihilation of their perceived power and influence. It signifies that the gods relied upon by Sennacherib and his empire were rendered utterly useless, incapable of defending themselves or their worshippers. The people who trusted in these lifeless images are consequently left without any deliverer. This reinforces the prophetic message that Yahweh alone is God, and He actively intervenes in history to protect His people and display His supreme power. It serves as a critical theological point, undermining any notion of parity between Yahweh and the impotent idols of other nations.