Isaiah 37 23

Isaiah 37:23 kjv

Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 37:23 nkjv

"Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice, And lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 37:23 niv

Who is it you have ridiculed and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!

Isaiah 37:23 esv

"'Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights? Against the Holy One of Israel!

Isaiah 37:23 nlt

"Whom have you been defying and ridiculing?
Against whom did you raise your voice?
At whom did you look with such haughty eyes?
It was the Holy One of Israel!

Isaiah 37 verses

Isaiah 37 23 Meaning

Isaiah 37:23 is God's direct rhetorical question, spoken through the prophet Isaiah to the arrogant Assyrian king Sennacherib. It emphatically challenges Sennacherib's understanding of his defiance, revealing that his taunts, blasphemies, and arrogant posture were not merely against the nation of Judah or its king Hezekiah, but unequivocally against YHWH Himself, specifically identifying Him as the "Holy One of Israel." This verse highlights the profound spiritual nature of Sennacherib's opposition, elevating the conflict from a geopolitical struggle to a divine confrontation where God's honor and holiness are directly assaulted. It sets the stage for God's swift and powerful intervention.

Isaiah 37 23 Context

Isaiah 37:23 is part of God's immediate response to King Hezekiah's fervent prayer following the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. Sennacherib had sent Rabshakeh, his field commander, who had openly taunted Jerusalem and blasphemed the Lord, questioning His power to deliver Judah from the mighty Assyrian army. Rabshakeh explicitly compared YHWH to the defeated gods of other nations, asserting Assyrian supremacy (Isa 36:18-20; 37:10-13). Hezekiah, deeply distressed, humbled himself and sought God's intervention, presenting Sennacherib's threatening letter to the Lord (Isa 37:14-19). This specific verse marks the climactic indictment within God's prophetic reply, delivered through Isaiah, directly addressing Sennacherib's arrogance and sacrilege, moving from an explanation of God's knowledge of Assyria's actions to the definitive declaration of against whom Assyria's contempt was truly directed. It serves as the prelude to the supernatural deliverance of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 37 23 Word analysis

• Whom have you taunted (אֶת־מִי חֵרַפְתָּ - et-mî ḥērap̄tā):

  • חרף (ḥārap̄): To taunt, reproach, revile, defy, scorn. It implies a deep insult, a public shame, and contempt, often challenging one's honor or status. Here, it refers to Sennacherib's verbal and attitudinal assaults, reducing the God of Israel to the level of defeated idols. The rhetorical question intensifies the gravity of his actions.

• and blasphemed? (וְגִדַּפְתָּ - wəḡiddaftā):

  • גדף (gāḏap̄): To blaspheme, insult, revile, slander, curse. This term is even stronger than "taunted," implying direct verbal abuse, a severe offense against the divine majesty and holiness. It's a deliberate attempt to malign God's character and power, reflecting an active campaign of irreverence and sacrilege against the true God.

• Against whom have you raised your voice (וְעַל־מִי הֲרִימוֹתָ קּוֹל - wə‘al-mî harîmôtā qôl):

  • הרם קול (harêm qôl): "To lift up a voice." This idiom denotes speaking loudly, publicly, boastfully, often in defiance or authority. It captures the audacity and public nature of Sennacherib's proclamations and Rabshakeh's speech, where he publicly mocked and dared the God of Israel to deliver Jerusalem. It suggests a challenge hurled, not merely spoken.

• and lifted your eyes so defiantly? (וַתִּשָּׂא מָרוֹם עֵינֶיךָ - wattisśā’ mārôm ‘êneyḵā):

  • נשא מרום עיניך (nāśā’ mārôm ‘êneyḵā): "To lift one's eyes to a height." This vividly depicts extreme arrogance, haughtiness, and contemptuous pride. The gaze is directed upward, implying a sense of superiority, looking down on others (even God), or aiming for divine heights oneself. מרום (mārôm) signifies "height" or "exaltation," underscoring Sennacherib's self-exaltation. This physical posture reflects a spiritual rebellion and an inflated self-perception.

• Against the Holy One of Israel! (עַל־קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל׃ - ‘al-qəḏôš yiśrā’ēl):

  • קד ו שׁ (qādôš): Holy, set apart, distinct, pure, majestic. This foundational attribute of God emphasizes His absolute moral purity, transcendence, and distinctiveness from all creation and sin. It speaks of His unapproachable glory and majesty.
  • ישראל (yiśrā’ēl): Israel. The title "Holy One of Israel" is characteristic of Isaiah's prophecy, appearing over two dozen times. It signifies not only God's inherent holiness but also His unique, covenantal relationship with Israel. By defying Israel, Sennacherib was directly challenging God's own people and, therefore, God's very honor and power within His covenant. It emphasizes God's active presence and protective role for His people, even when they are undeserving. The exclamation point captures the force of the divine realization that the question implies.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed?": This initial rhetorical pair sets the accusation. "Taunted" captures the scornful verbal assaults, while "blasphemed" escalates the offense to direct desecration of God's name and character. The questions underscore the seemingly hidden, yet real, target of Sennacherib's campaign: not just a nation, but its Divine protector.
• "Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes so defiantly?": This phrase moves from vocal to visual and behavioral aspects of Sennacherib's pride. "Raised your voice" indicates public, audacious challenge and boastful threats. "Lifted your eyes so defiantly" (or "to the height") describes a visual manifestation of utter arrogance, looking down on YHWH, or aspiring to a god-like status oneself. It implies insolence, a challenge to authority from a self-proclaimed exalted position.
• "Against the Holy One of Israel!": This declarative statement provides the shocking answer to the rhetorical questions. It is the core message, unequivocally stating the true object of Sennacherib's rebellion. The use of "Holy One of Israel" is supremely significant. It is a polemic against the polytheistic Assyrian worldview; Sennacherib may have defeated earthly kings and their national deities, but YHWH is unique – He is absolutely Holy and distinct, intrinsically tied to His chosen people Israel. This title reminds Sennacherib that he is fighting against the incomparable, transcendent God who also has a personal, active, and covenantal relationship with His people, and who would defend His own name and honor.

Isaiah 37 23 Bonus section

• Rhetorical Power: The series of questions is incredibly effective, drawing the reader/listener in, before delivering the punchline with divine authority and precision. It forces the one addressed (Sennacherib) to confront the full spiritual dimension of his sin.
• Divine Omniscience: This verse implicitly showcases God's omniscience. He is aware of every taunt, every blasphemous word, and even every haughty glance from Sennacherib, illustrating that nothing done against Him or His people escapes His notice.
• Personalization of the Insult: By specifically identifying the target as the "Holy One of Israel," God makes it clear that the affront was personal. Sennacherib was not merely waging war; he was blaspheming the Almighty, incurring divine wrath.
• Prophetic Fulfillment: While not direct, the eventual fall of Babylon (also addressed for its pride) and other oppressive empires in the Bible further underlines the theme that God humbles those who exalt themselves against Him, fulfilling the principle stated in this verse.
• Timeless Truth: This passage provides a timeless theological principle: any rejection or disrespect toward God's character, His Word, or His people, whether subtle or overt, is ultimately an attack against God Himself.

Isaiah 37 23 Commentary

Isaiah 37:23 stands as a profound divine rebuke to human pride and blasphemy, epitomized by Sennacherib's actions. The verse is framed as a series of rhetorical questions, which quickly resolve into a stark declaration, emphasizing the gravity of the Assyrian king's offenses. Sennacherib, blinded by his earthly power and success against other nations, saw Judah's God as merely another defeated deity. Yet, God's reply clarifies that his arrogance and defiance were not simply against a human king or a minor nation, but a direct, heinous affront to His very being as the "Holy One of Israel." This title encapsulates His transcendence, purity, majesty, and His covenant fidelity to His chosen people. The lifting of the voice and eyes are external manifestations of an internal, rebellious heart that presumed to usurp divine prerogative or diminish divine majesty. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that when God's people or His truth are attacked, it is ultimately God Himself who is targeted. His response, therefore, is not merely to save Israel, but to vindicate His own name and holiness before all nations, humbling the proud and demonstrating His unparalleled sovereignty. It forewarns that defiance against God is met with divine opposition.