Isaiah 38 6

Isaiah 38:6 kjv

And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.

Isaiah 38:6 nkjv

I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city." '

Isaiah 38:6 niv

And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

Isaiah 38:6 esv

I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.

Isaiah 38:6 nlt

and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. Yes, I will defend this city.

Isaiah 38 verses

Isaiah 38 6 Meaning

Isaiah 38:6 presents a divine promise from God to King Hezekiah, delivered through the prophet Isaiah. It assures both Hezekiah's personal rescue from his mortal illness (contextually, though not explicitly stated in this verse, it is the background for the "thee" delivery) and the physical deliverance of Jerusalem from the imminent and powerful threat of the Assyrian army led by Sennacherib. Furthermore, it affirms God's unwavering commitment to actively protect the city, signifying His faithfulness to His covenant with His people and His chosen dwelling place.

Isaiah 38 6 Context

Isaiah chapter 38 immediately follows prophecies concerning the Assyrian invasion and preceding prophecies of Judah's restoration and future glory. King Hezekiah of Judah falls critically ill, receiving a prophetic message from Isaiah that he will die. In deep distress, Hezekiah fervently prays to the Lord, recalling his faithful service. Verse 6 is a direct and immediate answer to Hezekiah's prayer, coming before Isaiah had even left the middle court. This divine word is dual in its promise: the immediate restoration of Hezekiah's health and, importantly for the nation, the guaranteed deliverance and defense of Jerusalem from the Assyrian King Sennacherib. This occurs during the Assyrian siege, where the Assyrian Empire was the dominant world power, having already conquered much of the ancient Near East and taken the northern kingdom of Israel into captivity. The very existence of Judah, particularly Jerusalem, was under grave threat, both from illness for its king and from the most formidable military power of the age.

Isaiah 38 6 Word analysis

• And I will deliver (וְהִצַּלְתִּ֞י - wə·hiṣ·ṣal·tî): The root verb נָצַל (nāṣal) means to rescue, snatch away, save. The prefix 'וְ' (waw) functions as "and," linking this promise to the prior message. The "I" is emphatic, highlighting God's direct personal involvement as the agent of rescue, not human effort. It implies a saving action from an immediate and dangerous threat.
• thee (אֹתְךָ֣ - ʾōṯ·ḵā): Refers directly to King Hezekiah. While not explicitly about his sickness here, in the chapter's broader context, this promise is inseparable from his healing, making God's intervention deeply personal.
• and this city (וְאֶת־הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֗את - wə·ʾeṯ-hā·ʿîr haz·zōṯ): "The city" is Jerusalem. "This" makes it specific and immediate to the current threat. God’s care extends beyond the individual king to His people and the place He had chosen for His name.
• out of the hand of (מִכַּף - mik·kap̄): The Hebrew word כַּף (kap̄) literally means "palm of the hand," but in this context, it idiomatically represents the power, authority, or control of the Assyrian king. It signifies deliverance from a powerful grasp or dominion.
• the king of Assyria (מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר - me·leḵ ʾaš·šūr): Sennacherib, whose army was famously large and brutal. The naming of the specific enemy underscores the reality and magnitude of the threat and therefore the miraculous nature of God's intervention. This directly contrasts the human power with God's divine power.
• and I will defend (וְגַנֹּתִ֖י - wə·ḡan·nō·ṯî): The root גָּנַן (gānan) means to surround, protect, cover. It signifies an active, vigorous protection, like putting a shield around something. It is a stronger, more personal word for protection than merely 'saving' and reinforces God's commitment to active guardianship.
• this city (עַל־הָעִ֥יר הַזֹּֽאת׃ - ʿal-hā·ʿîr haz·zōṯ): Reiterating the object of His defense – Jerusalem. The repetition emphasizes the city’s safety under divine protection.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And I will deliver thee and this city": This phrase combines the personal (Hezekiah) and the corporate (Jerusalem) objects of God's salvation. It demonstrates that God's plan involves both His chosen servant and His chosen city, underscoring His holistic care. The first-person singular "I will" emphasizes divine agency.
• "out of the hand of the king of Assyria": This highlights the immediate, tangible, and humanly insurmountable threat. It pinpoints the specific enemy, an empire that epitomized military might and terror, setting the stage for a dramatic display of divine power over human might.
• "and I will defend this city": This repetition of "this city" with a new verb "defend" reinforces the promise and expands on its nature. It’s not just a one-time rescue but an ongoing, active protection. The second "I will" again highlights God's continuous and active commitment. This divine promise served as a strong polemic against the perceived invincibility of Assyrian deities and military strategy, asserting Yahweh's supreme sovereignty.

Isaiah 38 6 Bonus section

The promise of deliverance and defense in Isaiah 38:6 is tied intrinsically to the covenant God made with David (2 Sam 7), which established an eternal dynasty and a secure place for His people. God's faithfulness to this covenant means He will protect the city of Jerusalem and its king. This specific act of saving Jerusalem from Assyria prefigures the ultimate deliverance of God's people through Jesus Christ, who is a Son of David. The event serves as an object lesson in trusting God completely, even when faced with overwhelming odds. Historically, Sennacherib had boastfully taunted Hezekiah and God Himself, making the miraculous deliverance not just a salvation for Jerusalem but a profound vindication of Yahweh's supremacy among all nations and gods.

Isaiah 38 6 Commentary

Isaiah 38:6 serves as a pivotal promise demonstrating God's immediate response to faithful prayer and His unwavering commitment to His covenant with David, ensuring the preservation of the Davidic lineage and the security of His chosen city. It showcases God's sovereign power over formidable human empires, making it clear that no military force can stand against His will. The dual promise for Hezekiah’s life and Jerusalem’s safety intertwines personal and national salvation, rooted not in human merit but in God's mercy and faithfulness to His own name. The fulfillment of this prophecy, recounted in Isaiah 37, stands as a historical testament to the word's divine origin and power, inspiring confidence in God's protective care for His people.