Isaiah 37:21

Sennacherib's Fall

21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria,

Isaiah 37:21 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 37:21

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying
Isaiah, by a spirit of prophecy, was made acquainted by the Lord both with the prayer of Hezekiah, and the Lord's answer to it; and therefore immediately sent to the king, who was either at the temple praying, or was returned to the palace, to let him know, the mind of the Lord in this matter. The Septuagint and Syriac versions render it, "and Isaiah the son of Amoz was sent to Hezekiah"; but this does not agree with the Hebrew text; Isaiah sent messengers to the king, and by them informed him what the Lord had said in answer to his prayer. Why he went not himself cannot be said: thus saith the Lord God of Israel;
Hezekiah had been praying to him under that title and character, ( Isaiah 37:16 ) : whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:
or, "what thou hast prayed" ^F14; the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, supply, "I have heard". It is bad for any to have the prayers of good men against them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (tllpth rva) "quae preeatus es", Vatablus; "quod attinet ad id quod oravisti", Piscator.

Isaiah 37:21 In-Context

19 and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed.

20 So now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD."

21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria,

22 this is the word that the LORD has spoken concerning him: "'She despises you, she scorns you-- the virgin daughter of Zion; she wags her head behind you-- the daughter of Jerusalem.

23 "'Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights? Against the Holy One of Israel!