Isaiah 37 21

Isaiah 37:21 kjv

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:

Isaiah 37:21 nkjv

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria,

Isaiah 37:21 niv

Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria,

Isaiah 37:21 esv

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria,

Isaiah 37:21 nlt

Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you prayed about King Sennacherib of Assyria,

Isaiah 37 verses

Isaiah 37 21 Meaning

Isaiah 37:21 records a pivotal divine declaration through the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah. It communicates God's immediate and affirmative response to Hezekiah's desperate prayer concerning the Assyrian threat. The verse emphasizes that Yahweh, the God of Israel, heard Hezekiah's fervent supplication against Sennacherib, signaling an imminent divine intervention and confirming God's attentiveness to His people's cries amidst overwhelming opposition.

Isaiah 37 21 Context

Isaiah chapter 37 details Judah's existential crisis during Sennacherib's Assyrian invasion in 701 BC. Having conquered surrounding cities, the Assyrians had besieged Jerusalem and delivered defiant messages to King Hezekiah, challenging Yahweh's power to save His people (Isa 36:13-20; 37:10-13). Hezekiah, recognizing the spiritual nature of the conflict, responded by humbling himself, seeking Isaiah's prophetic counsel, and earnestly spreading Sennacherib's threatening letter before the LORD in the temple (Isa 37:1-5, 14). His prayer in verses 15-20 appeals to God's universal sovereignty and covenant relationship, contrasting YHWH with the futile idols of other nations. Verse 21, therefore, serves as God's direct and immediate response to this profound act of faith and supplication, pivoting the narrative from human despair to divine intervention, setting the stage for the miraculous deliverance that follows.

Isaiah 37 21 Word analysis

• Then Isaiah (וַיִּשְׁלַח יְשַׁעְיָהוּ - vayishlakh Yesha'yahu):

  • וַיִּשְׁלַח (vayishlakh): "and he sent." The consecutive 'vav' (waw) here indicates a sequence, immediately following Hezekiah's prayer. It denotes swift, decisive action, a direct channel of communication from God to the king via the prophet.
  • יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Yesha'yahu): "Isaiah," meaning "Yahweh is salvation." This name profoundly aligns with the message he delivers, proclaiming salvation from God. His role is to mediate God's word, emphasizing divine deliverance.

• the son of Amoz (בֶּן אָמוֹץ - ben Amōts): A genealogical identifier, establishing Isaiah's known identity and authority as a prophet, distinguishing him from others. Amoz might mean "strong" or "robust."

• sent to Hezekiah (אֶל חִזְקִיָּהוּ - el Chizqiyahu):

  • חִזְקִיָּהוּ (Chizqiyahu): "Hezekiah," meaning "Yahweh strengthens." This is poignant as the king faces a strengthening threat but relies on God's strength.

• saying (לֵאמֹר - le’mōr): Indicates a formal and direct verbal message, an authoritative pronouncement, not a casual remark.

• 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel: (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - kōh amar YHWH Elohei Yisrael):

  • כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה (kōh amar YHWH): "Thus says the LORD." This is a classic prophetic formula, unequivocally establishing the divine origin and unchallengeable authority of the message. It signifies a direct divine utterance. YHWH is the covenant name of God, revealing His personal, relational, and unchanging character.
  • אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (Elohei Yisrael): "God of Israel." This specific title emphasizes God's unique covenant relationship with Israel and His active involvement in their history. It stands in stark contrast to the claims of Sennacherib's gods, asserting YHWH's exclusive sovereignty and power, particularly over His chosen people. It also signifies His faithfulness to His promises made to the patriarchs and to David.

• Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.' (אֲשֶׁר הִתְפַּלַּלְתָּ אֵלַי עַל סַנְחֵרִיב מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר שָׁמַעְתִּי - asher hitpallalta elay al Sanc̣herib melekh Ashshur shamati):

  • אֲשֶׁר הִתְפַּלַּלְתָּ (asher hitpallalta): "because you have prayed." The 'asher' connects God's action directly to Hezekiah's prayer. 'Hitpallalta' is from the root palal (to pray, intercede), in the Hithpael stem, suggesting intense, earnest, and continuous action – a deeply personal act of supplication and self-judgment before God.
  • אֵלַי (elay): "to Me." The direct address underscores God's personal attention and direct engagement with Hezekiah.
  • עַל סַנְחֵרִיב מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר (al Sanc̣herib melekh Ashshur): "against Sennacherib king of Assyria." 'Al' here means "concerning" or "against." It names the specific oppressor, clarifying the target of Hezekiah's prayer and, implicitly, the object of God's imminent action. Sennacherib represents the overwhelming, boastful, pagan power challenging YHWH.
  • שָׁמַעְתִּי (shamati): "I have heard." From the verb shama (to hear, listen, understand, obey). The perfect tense implies a completed action: God has not merely listened but has taken into account and, by extension, will act upon the prayer. It’s an assurance of divine acceptance and impending intervention, the ultimate vindication of Hezekiah's faith. It directly counters Sennacherib's challenge to YHWH's power.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Then Isaiah... sent to Hezekiah, saying": This sequence highlights the swift and critical nature of divine communication. God's response to sincere prayer is not delayed. Isaiah's specific identification confirms the divine message's authenticity through a recognized, trusted prophetic voice.
  • "'Thus says the LORD God of Israel: Because you have prayed to Me...": This phrase connects divine authority ("Thus says the LORD God of Israel") directly to human action ("Because you have prayed to Me"). It establishes a causal link: God's forthcoming intervention is a direct consequence of Hezekiah's personal, earnest supplication. It affirms that YHWH, unlike pagan gods, is not distant but intimately involved with His covenant people.
  • "...against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.'": This group contrasts the humanly impossible threat (Sennacherib, king of Assyria) with God's ultimate power to respond. God heard specifically about this threat. "I have heard" serves as the core assurance, not just of reception, but of positive divine engagement, sealing the promise of deliverance and dismantling the Assyrian's blasphemous boasts against YHWH.

Isaiah 37 21 Bonus section

The Hebrew phrasing "אֲשֶׁר הִתְפַּלַּלְתָּ אֵלַי עַל סַנְחֵרִיב" (asher hitpallalta elay al Sanc̣herib) can be subtly interpreted as "concerning Sennacherib," rather than just "against." This nuance implies that Hezekiah's prayer was not merely an aggressive stance, but a profound appeal concerning the overwhelming situation posed by Sennacherib. It reflects a reliance on God for direction, protection, and judgment concerning this specific enemy and crisis. This also subtly establishes a courtroom-like setting where Hezekiah presents his case to the ultimate judge, God, regarding Sennacherib's blasphemous accusations and threats. God’s "I have heard" is then not just an emotional response, but a juridical one, signifying that the case has been taken, deliberated, and a verdict will follow in His actions.

Isaiah 37 21 Commentary

Isaiah 37:21 is a powerful declaration of God's direct and immediate responsiveness to faithful prayer. Following Hezekiah's desperate plea amidst overwhelming Assyrian aggression, the verse communicates God's profound attentiveness and impending action. The prophetic formula, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel," emphasizes divine sovereignty and fidelity to His covenant people, explicitly contrasting Him with the impotent gods mocked by Sennacherib. God’s affirmation, "I have heard," is more than a passive acknowledgment; it is a profound declaration that He has received Hezekiah's petition, evaluated the situation, and determined to act. This assurance signals the turning point from human despair to divine intervention, showcasing that in moments of gravest danger, God remains attentive, personally engaged, and supremely powerful to deliver those who humble themselves and seek His face. This response serves as a foundational affirmation of prayer's efficacy and God's unwavering commitment to His name and His people.