Isaiah 36:1

¶ 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Context

This verse marks a significant turning point in the book of Isaiah, shifting from prophecies to historical narrative. It sets the stage for the major conflict between the Kingdom of Judah under King Hezekiah and the mighty Assyrian Empire led by Sennacherib. The "fourteenth year of king Hezekiah" corresponds roughly to 701 BC. Assyria was the dominant superpower of the time, known for its brutal military campaigns. This invasion wasn't a minor skirmish; Sennacherib's forces swept through the region, conquering numerous fortified cities ("defenced cities") in Judah before setting their sights on Jerusalem itself. This event is also recorded in the historical books of the Old Testament, providing parallel accounts of this critical period.

Key Themes

  • Assyrian Aggression: The verse immediately establishes the overwhelming threat posed by the Assyrian Empire, highlighting their military might and territorial ambition.
  • Judah's Vulnerability: Despite having "defenced cities," Judah was unable to withstand the initial onslaught, showing their reliance on God rather than military strength would be key.
  • Beginning of a Crisis: This invasion initiates the historical crisis detailed in the following chapters (Isaiah 36-39), leading to the dramatic confrontation involving Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem and God's intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "defenced cities" translates a Hebrew term (בְּצֻרֹת, b'tzurot) that specifically means "fortified" or "inaccessible." It emphasizes that Sennacherib's army was conquering not just open towns but heavily protected strongholds, underlining the severity and success of his initial campaign against Judah.

Related Scriptures

This historical event is also recounted in detail in other parts of the Bible. You can read parallel accounts that shed more light on Hezekiah's reign and this invasion in 2 Kings 18:13-16 and 2 Chronicles 32:1-4. These passages confirm the widespread destruction and capture of Judah's cities by Sennacherib before his focus turned to Jerusalem.

Practical Application

While a historical account, this verse reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming external threats and the apparent failure of human defenses (the "defenced cities"), God's people often find themselves in situations where their only hope is divine intervention. The subsequent chapters reveal how God dealt with this seemingly insurmountable challenge, teaching us about His sovereignty and faithfulness when human strength fails. Understanding the depth of the crisis in this verse is essential to appreciating the magnitude of God's deliverance later on.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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