Isaiah 37 33

Isaiah 37:33 kjv

Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.

Isaiah 37:33 nkjv

"Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: 'He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it.

Isaiah 37:33 niv

"Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the king of Assyria: "He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it.

Isaiah 37:33 esv

"Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it.

Isaiah 37:33 nlt

"And this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: "'His armies will not enter Jerusalem.
They will not even shoot an arrow at it.
They will not march outside its gates with their shields
nor build banks of earth against its walls.

Isaiah 37 verses

Isaiah 37 33 Meaning

This verse serves as a solemn divine decree from the LORD, delivered through the prophet Isaiah, directly addressing the formidable King Sennacherib of Assyria. It declares, with absolute certainty, that Sennacherib will utterly fail in his attempt to conquer Jerusalem. God guarantees that the Assyrian army will not breach the city, launch even a single arrow within its walls, approach with siege implements, or construct any siege ramps against it. It is a definitive pronouncement of Jerusalem's divinely assured protection and Sennacherib's humiliating defeat, directly demonstrating God's supreme power over earthly potentates and His faithfulness to His covenant people.

Isaiah 37 33 Context

Isaiah chapter 37 forms a pivotal narrative in the historical section of Isaiah, paralleling accounts in 2 Kings 19 and 2 Chronicles 32. It is set during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah (late 8th century BCE) and details the formidable siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, King of Assyria, in 701 BCE. The Assyrians, who had already conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and many fortified cities of Judah, posed an existential threat. Sennacherib sent his Rabshakeh to Jerusalem, who used psychological warfare, blaspheming the LORD and challenging His ability to deliver Jerusalem, comparing Him to the defeated gods of other nations (Isa 36). Hezekiah, deeply distressed, tore his clothes, went to the house of the LORD, and sent messengers to Isaiah the prophet seeking divine guidance. Isaiah responded with a message of reassurance from God (Isa 37:6-7), confirming God's impending intervention. Further, Sennacherib sent a threatening letter directly to Hezekiah, reiterating his boasts. Hezekiah spread this letter before the LORD in earnest prayer (Isa 37:15-20), appealing to God's honor and unique sovereignty. This prayer catalyzed the LORD's direct and absolute answer delivered through Isaiah in verses 21-35, with verse 33 being a central, unwavering promise of divine protection, articulating exactly what Sennacherib would not be able to do. This promise highlights the stark contrast between Assyrian human might and Yahweh's infinite power and faithfulness.

Isaiah 37 33 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵ֞ן - lakhen): Connects this divine declaration as a direct consequence and response to Hezekiah's prayer and Sennacherib's blasphemous threats described previously. It signifies a decisive pronouncement flowing from the narrative's unfolding events.
• thus says the LORD (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה - koh amar YHWH): This is a powerful and frequent prophetic formula asserting direct divine authorship and authority. It removes all doubt about the source and certainty of the following message, distinguishing it from human opinion. `YHWH` (Yahweh) is the personal, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His relationship with His people and His unwavering character.
• concerning the king of Assyria: Specifies the precise object of the divine decree: Sennacherib, the then-most powerful monarch on earth, known for his cruelty and conquests. This identifies the colossal, seemingly insurmountable threat against which God's word is directed.
• He shall not come (לֹֽא יָבֹ֤א - lo yavo): A strong, emphatic negation in Hebrew, signifying an absolute and impossible future action. It conveys an unequivocal divine prohibition and guarantee. The four negative clauses that follow systematically dismantle every aspect of a typical ancient siege operation.
• into this city (אֶל־הָעִ֥יר הַזֹּ֖את - el ha-'ir ha-zot): "This city" explicitly refers to Jerusalem, God's chosen city and the seat of His temple. The direct reference underscores God's personal ownership and commitment to its protection.
• or shoot an arrow there (וְלֹא־יוֹרֶ֥ה שָׁם֙ חֵ֔ץ - wə-lo yore sham khets): This specifies the initial stage of battle, even remote engagement. The army would not get close enough to launch projectiles.
• or come before it with a shield (וְלֹֽא־יְקַדְּמֶ֣נָּה בְמָגֵ֗ן - wə-lo yəqaddəmenna bəmagen): "Come before it with a shield" describes an attempt at direct assault on the walls, with soldiers forming shield walls for protection as they approached or attacked gates. This aspect of the siege is also ruled out.
• or cast up a siege mound against it (וְלֹֽא־יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ עָלֶ֖יהָ סֹלְלָֽה - wə-lo yishpokh `aleha solelah): A siege mound (or "ramp") was a crucial, massive earthwork used in ancient siege warfare to reach or breach city walls. God's declaration that this ultimate stage of a full-scale siege would not even commence, highlights the complete futility of Assyria's efforts and the utter collapse of their offensive strategy.

Isaiah 37 33 Bonus section

The immediate and devastating fulfillment of this prophecy (Isa 37:36-38, where 185,000 Assyrian soldiers are struck down by the angel of the LORD in one night, causing Sennacherib's retreat and later assassination) underscores the absolute truth and power inherent in God's spoken word. This event is a classic demonstration of divine paradox: the seemingly insurmountable power of the world's greatest empire crumbling before the unseen, silent power of God's word and His single angel. It is a vital narrative teaching for generations, emphasizing that God does not merely control history but actively intervenes in it to uphold His promises and defend His honor. This narrative offers a stark lesson against human arrogance and reliance on military might, continually pointing back to the foundational principle that "the battle is the LORD's" (1 Sam 17:47).

Isaiah 37 33 Commentary

Isaiah 37:33 is a powerful testament to Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people. Following Hezekiah's desperate prayer amidst Sennacherib's overwhelming military threat and blasphemous defiance, God delivers a comprehensive, fourfold promise of impenetrable defense for Jerusalem. Each negated action, from a single arrow to a full siege mound, directly addresses the practical mechanics of ancient warfare, emphatically ruling out even the initiation of a successful attack. This divine decree did not depend on Judah's military might but solely on God's omnipotent word, demonstrating that no human power, however formidable, can thwart His purpose. It served as a historical vindication of Yahweh against the pagan gods and the arrogance of earthly kings, reinforcing the theological truth that true security lies in trusting the living God, not in chariots or alliances. This particular deliverance sets a precedent for divine intervention and points towards a greater, ultimate protection of God's people in eschatological contexts.