Isaiah 37 36

Isaiah 37:36 kjv

Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

Isaiah 37:36 nkjv

Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses?all dead.

Isaiah 37:36 niv

Then the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning?there were all the dead bodies!

Isaiah 37:36 esv

And the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.

Isaiah 37:36 nlt

That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere.

Isaiah 37 verses

Isaiah 37 36 Meaning

The Angel of the Lord emerged and struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp. This decisive action prevented further military aggression by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and saved Jerusalem from destruction.

Isaiah 37 36 Context

This verse is the climax of Isaiah's account of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah and the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem. Following Sennacherib's arrogant threats and blasphemy against God, King Hezekiah, guided by Isaiah's prophecy, prayed fervently for divine intervention. This miraculous act by the Angel of the Lord serves as a testament to God's power and His commitment to protect His chosen people and His holy city. The immediate context is Hezekiah's distress and Isaiah's reassurance from God, culminating in this decisive divine intervention that utterly repels the Assyrian threat.

Isaiah 37 36 Word Analysis

• וַיֵּצֵא (wayyēṣēʾ): "And he went out" or "And there went out." This is a consecutive perfect verb from יָצָא (yāṣāʾ), meaning to go out, come out, or depart. It emphasizes the direct and active involvement of the Angel of the Lord.
• מַלְאַךְ (malʾāḵ): "angel," "messenger." This refers to a divine messenger, in this case, the instrument of God's judgment. While sometimes translated "angel of the Lord," it can also refer to a human messenger. However, given the scope of the action, it is understood as a supernatural agent.
• יְהוָה (YHWH): "The LORD." The Tetragrammaton, God's covenant name, highlighting His personal involvement and power on behalf of His people.
• וַיַּכֶּת (wayyaḵḵeth): "and he struck down." Another consecutive perfect verb from נָכָה (nāḵāh), meaning to strike, smite, or kill. It indicates a sudden and complete defeat.
• בְּמַחֲנֵה (bəmaḥănēh): "in the camp of." From מַחֲנֶה (maḥăneh), meaning camp, host, or army. It specifies the location of the devastation.
• אַשּׁוּר (ʾaššûr): "Assyria" or "Assyrian." The name of the powerful empire that threatened Jerusalem.
• מֵאָה (mēʾah): "a hundred."
• חֲמִשָּׁה (ḥămīšāh): "five."
• שְׁמֹנִים (šəmōnim): "eighty."
• אֶלֶף (ʾelep̄): "thousand."
• חֲמִשָּׁה (ḥămīšāh): "five."
• וּשְׁמֹנִים (ûšməmonīm): "and eighty." (So, 185,000 total).
• אָלֶף (ʾāleṗ): "thousand."
  • Numbers 185,000: This is a very large and specific number, signifying the overwhelming and comprehensive nature of the divine judgment, highlighting the complete annihilation of the Assyrian threat through supernatural means.
  • Words group analysis: The phrase "The angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the Assyrian camp" describes a singular, swift, and catastrophic divine action against an entire army. The theological weight is in the direct action of God (through His Angel) against human arrogance and blasphemy, resulting in absolute destruction of the enemy without a physical battle by Jerusalem's forces.

Isaiah 37 36 Bonus Section

The destruction of Sennacherib's army by the Angel of the Lord is often debated by historians and scholars regarding its exact nature. While the Bible clearly attributes it to a divine, supernatural cause (an angel), historical explanations have included disease epidemics, such as plague or cholera, that could devastate an unprepared army. Regardless of the natural secondary causes, the biblical narrative firmly attributes the timing, scope, and efficacy of this devastating event directly to God's intervention, acting through His divine agent. This highlights the biblical worldview where God is not a distant deity but actively intervenes in history to fulfill His purposes and protect His covenant people. This event reinforced Jerusalem's reputation as inviolable due to divine protection.

Isaiah 37 36 Commentary

This verse is a pivotal moment illustrating God's sovereign power and His zealous protection of Jerusalem and His people. The Angel of the Lord acts as God's agent of judgment, executing a swift and total destruction of Sennacherib's mighty army. This supernatural intervention validates Hezekiah's faith and Isaiah's prophecies, showcasing that God's might surpasses that of any earthly empire. It serves as a profound lesson on the futility of challenging God and the ultimate security found in trusting Him. The miraculous nature of this event emphasizes that God's deliverance often comes in unexpected and powerful ways, exceeding human capacity and understanding. It is a clear demonstration that the fate of nations and the security of God's people rest entirely in His hands.