Isaiah 37:13-23

13 Where is the king of Hamat, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sefarvayim, of Hena, and `Ivvah?

14 Hizkiyahu received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hizkiyahu went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

15 Hizkiyahu prayed to the LORD, saying,

16 LORD of hosts, the God of Yisra'el, who sits [above] the Keruvim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the eretz; you have made heaven and eretz.

17 Turn your ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and behold; and hear all the words of Sancheriv, who has sent to defy the living God.

18 Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Ashshur have laid waste all the countries, and their land,

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 have destroyed them.

20 Now therefore, LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the eretz may know that you are the LORD, even you only.

21 Then Yesha`yahu the son of Amotz sent to Hizkiyahu, saying, Thus says the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, Whereas you have prayed to me against Sancheriv king of Ashshur,

22 this is the word which the LORD has spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Tziyon has despised you and laughed you to scorn; the daughter of Yerushalayim has shaken her head at you.

23 Whom have you defied and blasphemed? and against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? [even] against the Holy One of Yisra'el.

Isaiah 37:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 37

In this chapter are contained Hezekiah's message to Isaiah, desiring his prayer for him and his people, in this time of sore distress, Isa 37:1-5, the comforting and encouraging answer returned by the prophet to him, Isa 37:6,7, the king of Assyria's letter to Hezekiah, to terrify him into a surrender of the city of Jerusalem to him, Isa 37:8-13 which Hezekiah spread before the Lord, and prayed unto him for deliverance, Isa 37:14-20, upon which he received a gracious answer by the hand of the prophet, promising safety and deliverance to him, and destruction to the king of Assyria, of which a sign was given, Isa 37:21-35 and the chapter is closed with the slaughter of the Assyrian army by an angel, the flight of the king, and his death by the hands of his sons, Isa 37:36-38.