Isaiah 37:16

16 "Almighty Lord, God of Israel, seated above the winged creatures, you alone are God, ruling all the kingdoms of the world. You created the earth and the sky. 1

Isaiah 37:16 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 37:16

O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the
cherubim
Or, "the inhabitant of the cherubim" F12; which were over the mercy seat, the residence of the Shechinah, or Majesty of God, the symbol of the divine Presence in the holy of holies; a title which the God of Israel, the Lord of armies in heaven, and earth bears, and distinguishes him from all other gods, and which several titles carry in them arguments to strengthen faith in prayer; being "the Lord of hosts", he was able to do whatsoever was desired, and more abundantly; being "the God of Israel", their covenant God, it might be hoped and expected he would protect and defend them; and sitting "between the cherubim", on the mercy seat, great encouragement might be had that he would be gracious and merciful, and hear and help: thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth;
this is opposed to the conceit of Sennacherib, that he was only the God of the Jews, and had no concern with other kingdoms and nations; whereas all belong to him, and him only; they are all under his jurisdiction and dominion, and at his will and control: thou hast made heaven and earth;
and so has an indisputable right to the government of the whole world, and to the disposal of all things in it.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (Mybrkh bvy) "cherubim inhabitator", Forerius.

Isaiah 37:16 In-Context

14 King Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went to the Temple, placed the letter there in the presence of the Lord,
15 and prayed,
16 "Almighty Lord, God of Israel, seated above the winged creatures, you alone are God, ruling all the kingdoms of the world. You created the earth and the sky.
17 Now, Lord, hear us and look at what is happening to us. Listen to all the things that Sennacherib is saying to insult you, the living God.
18 We all know, Lord, that the emperors of Assyria have destroyed many nations, made their lands desolate,

Cross References 1

  • 1. 37.16Exodus 25.22.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.