Isaiah 37 4

Isaiah 37:4 kjv

It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.

Isaiah 37:4 nkjv

It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.' "

Isaiah 37:4 niv

It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the field commander, whom his master, the king of Assyria, has sent to ridicule the living God, and that he will rebuke him for the words the LORD your God has heard. Therefore pray for the remnant that still survives."

Isaiah 37:4 esv

It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the LORD your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.'"

Isaiah 37:4 nlt

But perhaps the LORD your God has heard the Assyrian chief of staff, sent by the king to defy the living God, and will punish him for his words. Oh, pray for those of us who are left!"

Isaiah 37 verses

Isaiah 37 4 Meaning

Hezekiah's plea to Isaiah for prayer reflects his deep reliance on God amidst existential threat. The verse signifies recognizing that earthly power is insufficient, and divine intervention is paramount for deliverance from overwhelming circumstances. It underscores faith in God's ability to act decisively even when human strength fails.

Isaiah 37 4 Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah, chapter 37, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. The Assyrian king Sennacherib had invaded Judah and captured many fortified cities. His commander, the Rabshakeh, had taunted Jerusalem and threatened Sennacherib's imminent conquest. King Hezekiah, receiving these terrifying reports, tore his clothes and went into the house of the Lord. He sent his officials to Isaiah the prophet, not for mere comfort, but to seek divine intervention. The chapter narrates Hezekiah's faith and prayerful appeal through Isaiah, seeking God's intervention against the overwhelming Assyrian threat.

Isaiah 37 4 Word Analysis

• and (Hebrew: וְ - ve): A conjunctive particle, indicating continuation, connection, or addition. Here it connects the recognition of his plight with the appeal to Isaiah.
• it (Hebrew: אוּלַי - ulai): Means "perhaps," "it may be," or "maybe." This expresses a hope and a recognition that God's action is not guaranteed by human merit but dependent on God's sovereign will and mercy.
• be (Hebrew: הָיָה - hayah): "to be," "to happen," "to come to pass." Refers to the potential occurrence of an event.
• that (Hebrew: כִּי - ki): Can function as "that," "for," "because," or "indeed." Here it introduces the subordinate clause describing what may happen.
• the (Hebrew: הַ - ha): The definite article, indicating a specific entity.
• Lord (Hebrew: יהוה - YHWH): The covenantal name of God, the personal name of the God of Israel. Its use here by Hezekiah is significant, appealing to God's covenantal relationship.
• your (Hebrew: אֲתַּי – at): Possessive pronoun, "your."
• God (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): A general term for God, often used in a plural form but functioning singularly, referring to divine power and majesty. Combined with YHWH (YHWH Eloheikha - "the Lord your God"), it emphasizes the covenant God specifically as his God.
• shall (Hebrew: עָשָׂה – asah): "to do," "to make," "to act." The future tense indicates a confident expectation of God's action.
• hear (Hebrew: שָׁמַע - shama'): "to hear," "to listen," "to pay attention," "to obey." In this context, it means God listening to the prayer and taking heed.
• as (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר - asher): Relative pronoun, "which," "who," "that." Introduces the modifying clause about the message received.
• the (Hebrew: אֵת - et): Direct object marker.
• Rabshakeh (Hebrew: רַבְשָׁקֵה - Rabshaqeh): A title, meaning "chief cupbearer" or "chief butler," often used as a high Assyrian official title.
• has (Hebrew: שָׁלַח - shalach): "to send."
• sent (Hebrew: דִּבְרֵי - dibrei): Plural of "dever," meaning "word" or "thing." "Words," referring to the message.
• words (Hebrew: לְחַרְפָּה - lecharpoh): "to reproach," "to insult," "to revile." The words spoken by the Rabshakeh were contemptuous and blasphemous.
• to (Hebrew: לְ - le): Preposition, "to," "for."
• reproach (Hebrew: הַמַּרְפֵּה - hamarpeh): Noun form of "charaph," "reproach," "contempt," "derision." Refers to the insulting message from the Assyrian.
• it (Hebrew: אֹתִי - oti): Object pronoun "me."
• may (Hebrew: אָלֶה - aleh): "perhaps," "it may be." Similar to the earlier 'ulai', emphasizing the uncertainty of God's response from a human perspective.
• be (Hebrew: הוּא - hu): "He."
• the (Hebrew: יהוה - YHWH): Again, the covenant name of God.
• Lord (Hebrew: אֱלֹהַיִךְ - Eloheyikha): "your God."
• your (Hebrew: הָאָלֶה - ha'aleh): "that one," "the one." This likely refers to the blasphemous words, or perhaps implicitly to the power of Assyria which had vaunted itself against God. It's more idiomatically translated as "that particular matter" or "these words".
• God (Hebrew: בְּכָל - bekhol): "in all," "with all." Refers to the totality of the circumstances and the severity of the Assyrian leader's message.
• in (Hebrew: הַשָּׁמַ֫יִם - hashamayim): "the heavens," "the sky." This points to God's dwelling place and the ultimate source of power.
• all (Hebrew: לִשְׁמֹ֫עַ - lishmoa): "to hear."
• the (Hebrew: כָּל - kol): "all."
• heavens (Hebrew: צָרָה - tzarah): "distress," "trouble," "affliction."
• to (Hebrew: קוֹל - qol): "voice," "sound," "cry."
• hear (Hebrew: לִנְעָרִים - lin'arim): "to mock," "to deride." This refers to the insults, and it's important to note the prayer is that God would hear these words as they are meant to bring reproach, implying they are an offense to God's name.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "the Lord your God" (יהוה אֱלֹהַיִךְ): A potent combination invoking God's personal covenantal name alongside His divine title. This is not just any god, but the specific God with whom Israel has a relationship, highlighting Hezekiah's appeal to covenant faithfulness.
• "hear the words" (לִשְׁמֹ֫עַ דִּבְרֵי): This is not merely passive hearing, but active listening and responding. The context emphasizes God hearing the blasphemous words to bring judgment.
• "for reproach" (לְחַרְפָּה): The purpose of the Assyrian commander's words was to dishonor and mock God and His people. Hezekiah presents this reproach to God.

Isaiah 37 4 Bonus Section

The act of Hezekiah sending for Isaiah is a powerful model for seeking spiritual counsel during times of crisis. It underscores the importance of corporate prayer and seeking intercession. Hezekiah’s distress led him not to despair, but to the house of the Lord and to the prophet of God, highlighting a crucial principle of spiritual leadership and reliance on divine guidance. The mention of "reproach" underscores that challenges to faith are often attacks on God’s honor, and that praying through such attacks is an act of loyalty to Him.

Isaiah 37 4 Commentary

Hezekiah's humility in turning to Isaiah and his earnest prayer demonstrate profound faith. He recognizes that his kingdom's safety is not a matter of military might, but of God's sovereign will and intervention. The plea is framed not just as a personal crisis, but as an offense against God Himself. The inclusion of "it may be" acknowledges human dependence on God's grace and mercy. The appeal to "the Lord your God" signifies Hezekiah's reliance on God's covenantal promises. The prayer seeks God's divine action to answer the blasphemy of the Assyrians and vindicate His own name.