6. servants—literally, "youths," mere lads, implying disparagement, not an embassy of venerable elders. The Hebrew is different from that for "servants" in Isaiah 37:5. blasphemed me— (Isaiah 37:5- :). read more
The Rabshakeh’s challenge 36:1-37:7This section demonstrates Hezekiah’s commitment to God, but the next one (Isaiah 37:8-35) shows an even stronger commitment by the king to commit his own fate and the fate of his people to God. The present section stresses Assyrian pride and its result: divine judgment (cf. Isaiah 10:15-19). Isaiah did not record Hezekiah’s attempt to buy off Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:13-16), probably because he wanted to focus on the Judean king’s good example of trusting God. read more
So the officials came to Isaiah, and the prophet responded by sending them back to the king with a message from Yahweh. Hezekiah was not to fear the blasphemous claims of Sennacherib’s underlings. The Lord promised to lead the invading king away from Jerusalem and back to his own country where he would die by the sword. A report placed in Sennacherib’s ear would be the sovereign Lord’s instrument. The lack of reference to the decimation of the Assyrian troops already gathered around Jerusalem... read more
7. Send.. him] RV ’put a spirit in him.’22. Virgin] the figure as in Isaiah 23:12.24. Sides] RV ’innermost parts.’ The height.. Carmel] RV ’his farthest height, the forest of his fruitful field.’25. Digged] Deserts cannot impede his march, for he digs wells there. Have I dried, etc.] RV ’will I dry up all the rivers of Egypt’: the Assyrian boasts that he will pass on to conquer Egypt. 26. Jehovah is here the speaker. Done.. formed it] Referring to the ordering of events in the divine... read more
(6) The servants of the king of Assyria.—Not the usual word for “servants,” which might include high officers of state, but a less honourable one (na‘arâ), like puer in Latin, or garçon in French. He speaks of Rabshakeh (probably the king’s cup-bearer) as though he were only, after all, a valet. read more
CHAPTER XXVIHAD ISAIAH A GOSPEL FOR THE INDIVIDUAL?THE two narratives, in which Isaiah’s career culminates-that of the Deliverance of Jerusalem {Isaiah 36:1-22; Isaiah 37:1-38} and that of the Recovery of Hezekiah {Isaiah 38:1-22; Isaiah 39:1-8}-cannot fail, coming together as they do, to suggest to thoughtful readers a striking contrast between Isaiah’s treatment of the community and his treatment of the individual, between his treatment of the Church and his treatment of single members. For... read more
CHAPTER 37 Hezekiah in the House of the Lord and Sennacherib’s Second Attempt 1. Hezekiah’s humiliation and Isaiah sent for (Isaiah 37:1-5 ) 2. The message from the prophet (Isaiah 37:6-7 ) 3. Rabshakeh’s letter (Isaiah 37:8-13 ) 4. Hezekiah’s prayer (Isaiah 37:14-20 ) 5. The prayer answered (Isaiah 37:21-35 ) 6. The army of Sennacherib judged (Isaiah 37:36 ) 7. The judgment upon Sennacherib (Isaiah 37:38 ) read more
HISTORICAL PARENTHESIS These chapters are a dividing line between what may be called Parts 1 and 2 of this book. They deal with Hezekiah’s reign whose history has been considered in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. The chapters are not arranged chronologically, as the event of chapter 38, Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery, occurred prior to the siege of Sennacherib (chaps. 36-37). The prophecies preceding these chapters predict the rise of the Assyrian power as the enemy of Judah and God’s rod of... read more
The Distress of Hezekiah Isaiah 37:0 The first picture that strikes us in this chapter is that of a panic-stricken king. When Hezekiah heard the messages from Assyria he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord. The king and his ministers all clothed themselves in the penitential sackcloth of mourners. Hezekiah was probably weak in body, and therefore had lost true courage of soul. None knew better than he the overwhelming resources of Assyria,... read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 37:6
Isaiah said. The message in verses: Isaiah 37:6 , Isaiah 37:7 is shorter and calmer than the second. read more