Isaiah 37 35

Isaiah 37:35 kjv

For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

Isaiah 37:35 nkjv

'For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' "

Isaiah 37:35 niv

"I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant!"

Isaiah 37:35 esv

For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David."

Isaiah 37:35 nlt

'For my own honor and for the sake of my servant David,
I will defend this city and protect it.'"

Isaiah 37 verses

Isaiah 37 35 Meaning

Isaiah 37:35 declares God's solemn promise to actively defend and deliver the city of Jerusalem. The underlying motivations for this divine intervention are stated clearly: firstly, for God's own glory, honor, and sovereign character; and secondly, for the sake of His covenant established with His faithful servant David. This verse encapsulates God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His protective nature towards His chosen people and city.

Isaiah 37 35 Context

Isaiah 37:35 is situated within the narrative of Judah's most severe crisis under King Hezekiah. The mighty Assyrian Empire, led by King Sennacherib, has conquered all other fortified cities of Judah and now besieges Jerusalem. Sennacherib, through his field commander Rabshakeh, demands Jerusalem's surrender, mocking Judah's trust in YHWH and comparing Him to the impotent gods of other nations conquered by Assyria (Isa 36:19-20). In deep distress, Hezekiah humbles himself, seeks counsel from Isaiah the prophet, and presents Sennacherib's blasphemous letter before the Lord in the Temple, praying for divine intervention (Isa 37:14-20). God, through Isaiah, responds directly to Hezekiah's prayer, first condemning Sennacherib's pride and foretelling his defeat (Isa 37:21-34), and then in verse 35, delivering this solemn promise of Jerusalem's deliverance and the reasons for it. This promise immediately precedes the miraculous act where the angel of the LORD strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib's retreat and eventual assassination (Isa 37:36-38). The verse highlights the turning point from human despair to divine assurance and action.

Isaiah 37 35 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, ki): This conjunction serves a causal or explanatory function, connecting God's promise to defend with the preceding declaration of Sennacherib's judgment and the detailed plans for his retreat. It signals that what follows is the reason or justification for God's action.
• I will defend (אֲגֵן, 'agēn, a Piel form derived from the root גנן, ganan): This verb means "to shield," "to defend," "to guard," or "to cover." The intensive Piel stem emphasizes a vigorous, protective action. It implies active, purposeful intervention, not merely passive observation. God commits Himself to an aggressive defense of the city.
• this city (הָעִיר הַזֹּאת, ha'ir ha'zot): This explicitly refers to Jerusalem. Its mention grounds God's promise in a specific, physical location that was His chosen dwelling place (His temple resided there) and the capital of His chosen people. The specificity underscores the direct threat and God's targeted protection.
• to save it (לְהוֹשִׁיעָהּ, l'hoshi'ah, an infinitive construct from ישׁע, yasha): The purpose clause indicates the result of God's defense: salvation, deliverance, or rescue from the Assyrian threat. The verb yasha carries the deep theological meaning of God's saving power.
• for My own sake (לְמַעֲנִי, l'ma'ani): This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign motivation. God's action is not contingent on Judah's merit (which was often lacking, cf. Isa 1), but springs from His own character, His holy name, and His commitment to His glory and reputation among the nations. The implication is that allowing Jerusalem to fall would undermine the revelation of His unique power in the world, as Sennacherib explicitly challenged. This is a polemic against the notion that all gods are equal.
• and for My servant David's sake (וּלְמַעַן דָּוִד עַבְדִּי, u'l'ma'an Dawid avdi): This highlights God's covenant faithfulness. David was God's chosen king, and God had made an eternal covenant with him, promising an enduring dynasty and that his house would reign over Judah (2 Sam 7). God acts out of loyalty to this promise, demonstrating His unchanging faithfulness to His sworn word. David is presented not as someone who earned this (he was servant), but as the recipient of God's grace and covenant.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I will defend this city to save it": This phrase combines powerful action (defend) with clear intent (to save). It portrays God as an active, powerful guardian whose purpose is nothing less than complete deliverance. The specific mention of "this city" anchors the promise, removing ambiguity about the object of God's saving act.
• "for My own sake and for My servant David's sake": These two motivations, deeply intertwined, form the bedrock of God's action. They underscore that divine intervention is ultimately rooted in God's immutable character and His unchanging covenantal promises, not in the fluctuating righteousness or pleas of humanity. "My own sake" emphasizes God's glory and sovereignty, while "David's sake" points to His enduring faithfulness to His Word and covenant, particularly the Messianic lineage.

Isaiah 37 35 Bonus section

The phrase "for My own sake" (לְמַעֲנִי) is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, particularly in prophetic books, signifying God's ultimate motivation. It establishes a divine polemic against the Assyrian worldview and the common ancient Near Eastern belief that deities were bound by the will of stronger gods or subject to human manipulation. Instead, YHWH operates from an intrinsic, unchallengeable authority and self-sufficiency. This concept transcends specific historical contexts, affirming that God's plan and character are the primary drivers of salvation history, ensuring His covenant promises are upheld even when His people are undeserving. The twin motivations in the verse also show that God's justice and grace are not mutually exclusive; His holiness (acting for His "sake") perfectly aligns with His faithful love (acting for "David's sake"). This provides a powerful paradigm for understanding God's actions throughout scripture, including the ultimate act of salvation through Christ, which likewise came "for God's own sake" to uphold His righteousness and demonstrate His love.

Isaiah 37 35 Commentary

Isaiah 37:35 is a pinnacle declaration of God's sovereign will and covenant fidelity in the face of insurmountable human odds. It clarifies that God's protection of Jerusalem isn't earned by human merit, but is entirely predicated upon His divine character and His self-initiated promises. "For My own sake" highlights the theological truth that God acts ultimately for His own glory, safeguarding His reputation and demonstrating His unmatched power and holiness to a world that constantly compares Him to finite deities. "And for My servant David's sake" underscores the immutability of God's covenant with David, ensuring the continuity of the royal line through which the Messiah would eventually come. This verse therefore reveals God as both majestically sovereign and personally faithful. It reassures believers that when circumstances seem dire, God remains committed to His Word and His purpose, delivering not only nations but also individuals through His steadfast love and power, often in ways that far exceed human expectation, solely by His grace.