Isaiah 37:21

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


FOOTNOTES:

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

Isaiah 37:21 In-Context

19 and have hurled their gods into the fire, though they were no gods, but the work of human hands—wood and stone—and so they were destroyed.
20 So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord."
21 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying: "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me concerning King Sennacherib of Assyria,
22 this is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning him: She despises you, she scorns you— virgin daughter Zion; she tosses her head—behind your back, daughter Jerusalem.
23 "Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and haughtily lifted your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.