Isaiah 36:1

KJV

¶ Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, [that] Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth {H702}{H6240} year {H8141} of king {H4428} Hezekiah {H2396}, that Sennacherib {H5576} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} came up {H5927} against all the defenced {H1219} cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}, and took {H8610} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

It was in the fourteenth year of King Hizkiyahu that Sancheriv king of Ashur advanced against all the fortified cities of Y'hudah and captured them.

Berean Standard Bible

In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah.

American Standard Version

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah, and took them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 36:1 initiates a pivotal historical narrative within the book of Isaiah, marking a dramatic shift from prophetic pronouncements to the unfolding of divine judgment and deliverance. This verse precisely dates the Assyrian King Sennacherib's formidable invasion of Judah in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, detailing the initial, devastating success of the Assyrian forces as they swept through and captured numerous fortified cities across the Judean landscape. It sets the stage for a profound test of faith for Hezekiah and the people of Judah, highlighting the overwhelming human threat against which God's ultimate sovereignty would be powerfully demonstrated.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 36 marks a significant transition in the book, moving from the prophetic oracles and warnings of chapters 1-35 to a historical narrative spanning chapters 36-39. These chapters serve as a crucial historical interlude, providing the concrete backdrop for many of Isaiah's preceding prophecies concerning Judah's sin, God's judgment, and His eventual salvation. Specifically, Isaiah 36-37 recounts the Assyrian invasion and God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, validating Isaiah's prophetic word. Chapters 38-39 then detail Hezekiah's illness and recovery, followed by his ill-advised display of treasures to Babylonian envoys, which foreshadows future exile. This historical section is strategically placed to demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, both of judgment and salvation, in real-time events, thereby grounding the theological messages of the book in tangible history.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "fourteenth year of king Hezekiah" corresponds to approximately 701 BC, a period when the Neo-Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower in the Near East, known for its brutal military tactics and policy of deportation. Sennacherib, succeeding his father Sargon II, was a formidable and ambitious monarch who sought to consolidate Assyrian control over the Levant. Judah, under King Hezekiah, had previously paid tribute to Assyria but had recently joined a coalition of states rebelling against Assyrian hegemony, likely encouraged by Egypt. This rebellion provoked Sennacherib's massive retaliatory campaign, which aimed to reassert Assyrian dominance. The "defenced cities" (fortified cities) of Judah were crucial strongholds designed to protect the kingdom, but their fall, as recorded here and in Assyrian annals, underscores the overwhelming military might of Sennacherib's forces and the dire straits in which Judah found itself.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse immediately introduces several key themes that will be developed throughout the subsequent chapters and the broader book of Isaiah. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God** amidst overwhelming human threats; despite Assyria's apparent invincibility, God's ultimate control over history will be revealed. Secondly, it underscores **Human Vulnerability and Divine Reliance**, as Judah's "defenced cities" prove insufficient against Sennacherib, forcing Hezekiah and the people to look beyond their own strength, a theme echoed in Isaiah's earlier calls for trust in God rather than alliances or military might (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children")). Thirdly, the verse initiates the theme of **Judgment and Deliverance**, presenting the initial phase of God's judgment upon Judah for its unfaithfulness, yet setting the stage for the dramatic and miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem that will demonstrate God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 31:4-5](/isaiah/31-4 "Isaiah 31:4-5 - The Lord Will Defend Jerusalem")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hezekiah (Hebrew, _Chizqîyâh'_):** This name, meaning "strengthened of Jah" or "Yahweh strengthens," is highly significant. It points to the divine source of strength that Hezekiah would desperately need and ultimately receive during this crisis. Hezekiah was a righteous king who initiated significant religious reforms in Judah, purging idolatry and restoring proper worship of Yahweh. His character and actions are central to understanding the narrative of God's intervention on behalf of Judah.
* **Sennacherib (Hebrew, _Çanchêrîyb'_):** This is the name of the powerful and ruthless king of Assyria, whose invasion is the central external conflict in this historical account. His name, of foreign origin, represents the overwhelming, seemingly unstoppable force that God's people faced. The confrontation between Hezekiah and Sennacherib is not merely a geopolitical conflict but a theological one, pitting the God of Israel against the might of a pagan empire.
* **Defenced (Hebrew, _bâtsar'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to clip off" or "to be isolated," specifically refers to cities that are "fortified" or "inaccessible" due to height or strong walls. The fact that Sennacherib "came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them" emphasizes the sheer scale and success of his initial campaign. It highlights that even the strongest human defenses were futile against the Assyrian onslaught, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of Jerusalem's eventual deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah,"**: This opening clause precisely dates the event, anchoring the narrative in a specific historical moment. The "fourteenth year" (c. 701 BC) provides a verifiable chronological marker, linking Isaiah's prophecy to a well-documented period in ancient Near Eastern history. It immediately establishes Hezekiah as the reigning monarch during this critical time, setting the stage for his role in the unfolding events.
* **"[that] Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah,"**: This clause introduces the primary antagonist and the scope of his devastating campaign. Sennacherib, the powerful Assyrian king, launched a full-scale invasion, targeting not just isolated towns but "all the defenced cities." This signifies a comprehensive and overwhelming military assault aimed at subjugating the entire kingdom of Judah, demonstrating the immense threat faced by God's people.
* **"and took them."**: This concise phrase dramatically concludes the initial phase of the invasion, confirming Sennacherib's immediate and widespread success. The capture of these fortified cities underscores the severity of Judah's predicament, indicating that human defenses were utterly insufficient and leaving Jerusalem as the sole remaining stronghold, thus heightening the tension and the need for divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 36:1 primarily employs **Historical Narrative**, serving as a factual recounting of events to establish the context for the subsequent divine intervention. The precise dating and naming of key figures (Hezekiah, Sennacherib) lend **Verisimilitude** and authority to the account. The phrase "came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them" utilizes **Conciseness** to convey the swift and overwhelming success of the Assyrian campaign, creating a sense of dire urgency and foreshadowing the immense challenge that Jerusalem, the last remaining stronghold, would face. There is also an element of **Irony** in the fall of "defenced cities," highlighting the futility of human strength and fortifications when faced with a superior power, thereby setting the stage for the demonstration of divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 36:1 serves as a stark reminder that even God's chosen people are not immune to the consequences of a fallen world and, at times, their own unfaithfulness. The overwhelming invasion by Sennacherib, a seemingly unstoppable force, underscores the theme of divine judgment and the need for absolute reliance on God. Yet, this initial devastation also sets the stage for one of the most dramatic demonstrations of God's protective power in the Old Testament, where His sovereignty is vindicated against the pride of human empires. The fall of the "defenced cities" prepares the reader for the ultimate test of faith and the subsequent miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, illustrating that true security is found not in human might or fortifications, but in the Lord alone.

* [2 Kings 18:13-16](/2_kings/18-13 "Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah")
* [2 Chronicles 32:1-4](/2_chronicles/32-1 "Sennacherib's Campaign Against Judah")
* [Isaiah 37:33-35](/isaiah/37-33 "God's Promise to Defend Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This historical account, though ancient, resonates deeply with contemporary experiences of overwhelming challenges and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Just as Judah faced a powerful and relentless enemy that swept away its "defenced cities," we too encounter situations in life—personal crises, societal pressures, spiritual battles—where our own strength, resources, and carefully constructed defenses prove utterly inadequate. This verse compels us to acknowledge the limits of human capability and to recognize that true security and deliverance are found not in our fortifications, but in a radical dependence on God. It invites us to consider where we place our trust when the walls around us begin to crumble, prompting us to shift our gaze from the visible threats to the invisible, yet all-powerful, hand of God. The subsequent narrative, sparked by this initial invasion, reveals that God often allows us to reach the end of our own strength precisely so that His power and faithfulness can be unmistakably demonstrated.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "defenced cities" or areas of perceived security in your life might be vulnerable to unexpected challenges, and how does this challenge your sense of control?**
* **In what situations have you experienced the inadequacy of your own strength or resources, similar to Judah's experience with Sennacherib?**
* **How does the historical reality of God's intervention in Judah's crisis encourage you to trust Him more fully in your own seemingly overwhelming circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the "fourteenth year of king Hezekiah"?**

Answer: The "fourteenth year of king Hezekiah" refers to approximately 701 BC. This precise dating is highly significant because it anchors the biblical narrative in verifiable historical events. It was the year of Sennacherib's major campaign against Judah, a campaign extensively documented not only in the Bible (e.g., [2 Kings 18](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18 - Hezekiah's Reign and Sennacherib's Invasion")) but also in Assyrian annals, such as Sennacherib's own prism inscription. This historical accuracy lends credibility to the biblical account and underscores the reality of the crisis that Judah faced, setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention.

**Why did Sennacherib invade Judah, and what was his objective?**

Answer: Sennacherib invaded Judah primarily because King Hezekiah had rebelled against Assyrian overlordship. Judah, along with other states in the Levant, had ceased paying tribute to Assyria and had formed alliances, possibly with Egypt, in defiance of Assyrian hegemony. Sennacherib's objective was to reassert Assyrian dominance, punish the rebellious states, and secure the western frontier of his empire. His campaign was comprehensive, aiming to subdue the entire kingdom of Judah, as evidenced by his capture of "all the defenced cities" before he turned his attention to Jerusalem, the capital. This invasion was a brutal demonstration of Assyrian military might and its policy of crushing dissent.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 36:1, while a historical account of an ancient invasion, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in its foreshadowing of the ultimate spiritual battle and God's sovereign deliverance. The seemingly insurmountable threat of Sennacherib against Judah's "defenced cities" mirrors humanity's helpless state against the overwhelming forces of sin, death, and the spiritual enemy. Just as Hezekiah and Judah's only hope lay in Yahweh's miraculous intervention, so too is humanity utterly dependent on divine rescue from a foe far more formidable than any earthly army. The deliverance of Jerusalem, detailed in the subsequent chapters, where God Himself fights for His people without human sword or bow, powerfully prefigures the salvation wrought by Jesus Christ. He is the true King, greater than Hezekiah, who did not merely defend a physical city but conquered sin and death on the cross, providing ultimate spiritual deliverance for all who believe (e.g., [Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). Christ is the ultimate "defenced city," the secure refuge and fortress for His people, whose victory ensures that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church (e.g., [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")). The invasion of Sennacherib and God's subsequent, unexpected triumph thus serve as a powerful Old Testament type, pointing to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and ultimately defeats all of God's enemies (e.g., [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 32:1

¶ After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.

2 Kings 18:13

Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.

Isaiah 10:28

He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:

Isaiah 10:32

As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand [against] the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 18:17

¶ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which [is] in the highway of the fuller's field.

Isaiah 8:7

Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

Isaiah 8:8

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.