Isaiah 37:3 kjv
And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
Isaiah 37:3 nkjv
And they said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah: 'This day is a day of trouble and rebuke and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth.
Isaiah 37:3 niv
They told him, "This is what Hezekiah says: This day is a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace, as when children come to the moment of birth and there is no strength to deliver them.
Isaiah 37:3 esv
They said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah, 'This day is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth.
Isaiah 37:3 nlt
They told him, "This is what King Hezekiah says: Today is a day of trouble, insults, and disgrace. It is like when a child is ready to be born, but the mother has no strength to deliver the baby.
Isaiah 37 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 37 | "So he sent Eliakim..." | Isa 37:1 |
| 2 Kings 19 | "...they tore their clothes and put on sackcloth..." | 2 Ki 19:1 |
| Genesis 37 | Jacob tore his clothes... | Gen 37:34 |
| 1 Kings 21 | Ahab tore his clothes... | 1 Ki 21:27 |
| Ezra 9 | Ezra tore his garment and mantle... | Ezra 9:3 |
| Nehemiah 9 | "At their words, Ezra rent his garment and his mantle..." | Neh 9:1 |
| Job 1:20 | "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head..." | Job 1:20 |
| Psalm 51 | "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." | Ps 51:17 |
| Jeremiah 6 | "Thus says the LORD: 'Stand by the ways and look, and ask for the ancient paths...'" | Jer 6:16 |
| Joel 2 | "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain!" | Joel 2:1 |
| Daniel 9 | "Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas with fasting and sackcloth and ashes." | Dan 9:3 |
| Matthew 11 | "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces..." | Mt 11:16 |
| Luke 10 | "And whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’" | Lk 10:5 |
| Acts 16 | "...he called for light, and springing in, he fell down before Paul and Silas." | Acts 16:29 |
| Isaiah 37 | "...covered themselves with sackcloth" | Isa 37:1 |
| Isaiah 44 | "Is there any God besides me? Or is there any Rock?" | Isa 44:8 |
| Psalm 42 | "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." | Ps 42:1 |
| Psalm 63 | "My soul will be satisfied as with richest of foods..." | Ps 63:5 |
| Proverbs 3 | "Trust in the LORD with all your heart..." | Prov 3:5 |
| Matthew 6 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness..." | Mt 6:33 |
| John 14 | "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." | Jn 14:1 |
| 1 Peter 5 | "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God..." | 1 Pt 5:6 |
Isaiah 37 verses
Isaiah 37 3 Meaning
This verse describes the actions taken by the people of Judah in response to the terrifying news brought by the Assyrian envoy, Rabshakeh. They tore their clothes, covered themselves with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD, indicating deep grief, repentance, and seeking divine intervention.
Isaiah 37 3 Context
This verse is part of Isaiah chapter 37, which narrates Sennacherib's invasion of Judah and King Hezekiah's response. After Assyria's intimidating demands and blasphemous boasts, delivered by Rabshakeh, Hezekiah and his officials are deeply distressed. This verse highlights their immediate, outward expressions of humility, grief, and dependence on God in the face of existential threat. The act of going into the temple signifies their turning to God for aid and sanctuary.
Isaiah 37 3 Word Analysis
- "So": Indicates a direct consequence or reaction to the previous events (Rabshakeh's words).
- "He": Refers to King Hezekiah, who is the central figure in this narrative.
- "sent": Denotes a commissioning or dispatching of individuals.
- "Eliakim the steward": Eliakim held a high position of responsibility, overseeing the royal household. His presence signifies the official nature of the delegation.
- "and Shebna the scribe": Shebna was a secretary, also holding a significant administrative role. His inclusion might indicate the seriousness with which the king treated the communication.
- "and the senior priests": The inclusion of priests underscores the spiritual dimension of the crisis, highlighting the need for divine intervention.
- "covered with sackcloth": This was a traditional Hebrew mourning ritual.
- Sackcloth (Hebrew: saq): A coarse, dark cloth made of goat hair or camel hair, worn as a sign of penitence, mourning, or distress (Gen 37:34; Esth 4:1).
- "to Isaiah the prophet": They were sent to seek counsel and intercession from the prophet Isaiah, recognizing his role as a conduit to God.
Isaiah 37 3 Bonus Section
This collective act of lamentation and seeking the prophet contrasts sharply with the arrogance and impiety of the Assyrian king. It demonstrates that true strength and victory lie not in military power but in God's sovereign hand. The passage serves as a timeless reminder that even when circumstances appear dire and opposition formidable, sincere prayer and reliance on God's promises are the most potent weapons available to believers. The fear and dread instilled by Sennacherib's threats were met not with defiance of man, but with deep piety and submission to God.
Isaiah 37 3 Commentary
The people's reaction in Isaiah 37:3 reveals a profound understanding of spiritual warfare. Despite the military might of Assyria and Rabshakeh's demoralizing rhetoric, Hezekiah and his court did not rely on their own strength or political maneuvering alone. Their tearing of clothes and donning of sackcloth are outward manifestations of inner contrition and desperate dependence on God. Sending to Isaiah shows they sought God's word and intervention through His appointed prophet. This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and faith in times of overwhelming adversity, turning to spiritual resources when earthly ones seem insufficient. The act of going to the house of the Lord signifies their public appeal for divine mercy and deliverance.