Isaiah 37 5

Isaiah 37:5 kjv

So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.

Isaiah 37:5 nkjv

So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah.

Isaiah 37:5 niv

When King Hezekiah's officials came to Isaiah,

Isaiah 37:5 esv

When the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah,

Isaiah 37:5 nlt

After King Hezekiah's officials delivered the king's message to Isaiah,

Isaiah 37 verses

Isaiah 37 5 Meaning

This verse describes a pivotal moment in the account of Judah's defense against Assyria: King Hezekiah, in response to the overwhelming Assyrian threat and the blasphemous taunts of their commander, sent his high-ranking officials to the prophet Isaiah. This action signifies a direct appeal for divine guidance and intervention through God's chosen messenger, acknowledging human inadequacy in the face of such a crisis.

Isaiah 37 5 Context

Isaiah chapter 37 details the grave threat posed to the Kingdom of Judah by the formidable Assyrian Empire under King Sennacherib around 701 BCE. The preceding chapter (Isa 36) recounts Rabshakeh's blasphemous taunts and psychological warfare against Jerusalem, mocking Judah's trust in Yahweh and claiming Assyrian superiority over all gods. Faced with a devastating military defeat across the fortified cities of Judah, and now with Jerusalem besieged, King Hezekiah's first response, recorded in Isaiah 37:1-4, was deep humility, tearing his clothes and putting on sackcloth. Verse 5 follows this profound demonstration of repentance and distress, describing Hezekiah's decisive action to send his highest officials, bearing the dire message and the king's desperate plea, directly to the prophet Isaiah. This historical narrative is also extensively covered in 2 Kings 18-19 and 2 Chronicles 32.

Isaiah 37 5 Word analysis

• So when: (וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ - va-ya-vo'u) This conjunctive form "and they came" or "so they came" links the action directly to Hezekiah's distress and decision in the previous verses. It implies an immediate and logical consequence of the desperate situation.
• the servants: (עַבְדֵ֤י - av-dei) From עֶבֶד (eved), meaning "servant" or "slave." In this context, it refers to high-ranking officials or ministers, trusted representatives of the king, not menial workers. Their status indicates the gravity of the mission and the respect accorded to Isaiah as a prophet.
• of King: (מֶלֶךְ - melekh) Denotes the highest authority in the land, emphasizing that the message carried by these officials comes directly from the sovereign ruler of Judah.
• Hezekiah: (חִזְקִיָּהוּ - Ḥizqiyyahu) The specific King of Judah. His name means "Yahweh strengthens" or "Yahweh is my strength." This meaning becomes profoundly significant in the context of the overwhelming Assyrian threat, as the king seeks strength and salvation directly from Yahweh through His prophet. He was generally considered a righteous king who sought to cleanse Judah of idolatry (2 Ki 18:3-6).
• came: (וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ - va-ya-vo'u) This verb, a perfective "came," signifies the completed action of the officials' arrival. It highlights the decisive nature of Hezekiah's turn towards God through His prophet, indicating that this was an active, intentional search for divine counsel.
• to Isaiah: (אֶל־יְשַֽׁעְיָ֖הוּ - ʾel-Yeshaʿyahu) The preposition "to" (אֶל־ ʾel-) signifies the destination. יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Yeshaʿyahu) is the prophet's name, meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "Salvation of Yahweh." This name holds profound significance as the king, in dire need of salvation, turns to the very individual whose name proclaims the source and nature of that salvation – Yahweh himself. Isaiah was the Lord's appointed channel of communication during this critical period.

Words-group analysis:

• "So when the servants of King Hezekiah came": This phrase emphasizes Hezekiah's initiative and the formal, urgent nature of his appeal. He wasn't casually seeking advice but, through his official delegation, was earnestly pursuing divine counsel in a moment of national crisis. It underscores the king's faith in God's prophet over relying solely on military strategy or diplomatic alliances.
• "servants of King Hezekiah...to Isaiah": This grouping highlights the strategic and theological significance of the destination. Instead of turning to neighboring nations, idols, or even his own military commanders, the king directed his official plea to the Lord's prophet, acknowledging that true help could only come from God.

Isaiah 37 5 Bonus section

• The parallel accounts in 2 Kings 19 and 2 Chronicles 32 confirm the historicity and significance of Hezekiah's actions and Isaiah's role during this Assyrian crisis, validating the account within the broader biblical narrative.
• Hezekiah's immediate recourse to the prophet of God contrasts with the example of his father, Ahaz, who refused to "test the LORD" when offered a sign through Isaiah, choosing instead to trust in Assyrian might (Isa 7:10-12). This shows Hezekiah's reformed character and deep-seated trust in God's power.
• This moment sets the stage for one of the most dramatic acts of divine intervention in the Old Testament, where God delivers Jerusalem from the vast Assyrian army, showcasing His absolute power and faithfulness to His people and city (Isa 37:36).

Isaiah 37 5 Commentary

Isaiah 37:5 serves as a crucial turning point in the narrative of Judah's encounter with Assyria. Following Hezekiah's deep lamentation and symbolic act of humility, the verse records his practical, faithful step: dispatching his trusted emissaries to Isaiah. This act transcends mere political maneuvering; it demonstrates Hezekiah's understanding that the immediate crisis, deepened by Sennacherib's blasphemy against Yahweh, demanded a divine response that only God's prophet could deliver. The dispatching of "servants" underscores the gravity and official nature of the plea, while the choice of "Isaiah," whose name encapsulates "Yahweh is salvation," resonates powerfully with the urgent need for divine deliverance. This highlights a foundational principle: in moments of overwhelming challenge where human power and wisdom fail, true believers turn to the Lord through His appointed means, recognizing His ultimate sovereignty and capacity for salvation. It’s an example of leadership combining humility with decisive action rooted in faith.