Isaiah 37:1

¶ And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

And it came to pass, when king {H4428} Hezekiah {H2396} heard {H8085} it, that he rent {H7167} his clothes {H899}, and covered {H3680} himself with sackcloth {H8242}, and went {H935} into the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

On hearing it, King Hizkiyahu tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of ADONAI.

On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.

And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

Isaiah 37:1 records King Hezekiah's profound reaction to the overwhelming threat posed by the Assyrian Empire under King Sennacherib. This verse marks a pivotal moment, showcasing a leader's immediate and heartfelt response to a national crisis.

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic events of Isaiah chapter 36, where the Assyrian Rabshakeh delivers a series of intimidating and blasphemous messages to Jerusalem, challenging Judah's God and urging surrender. The Assyrian army had already conquered many fortified cities of Judah, and Jerusalem itself was under siege. Hezekiah's kingdom faced an existential threat from the most powerful empire of their time. His actions in this verse are not just personal grief but a public demonstration of humility and reliance on God in the face of insurmountable human odds.

Key Themes

  • Distress and Humility: Hezekiah's actions—renting his clothes and covering himself with sackcloth—were ancient Near Eastern customs signifying deep grief, shock, repentance, and humility. This was not a sign of surrender to Assyria, but a profound acknowledgment of desperation before God.
  • Seeking God First: His immediate response is to go "into the house of the LORD," which refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. This highlights Hezekiah's priority: turning to God in prayer and seeking divine intervention as the primary and ultimate solution to an impossible situation. It underscores the importance of faith in times of crisis.
  • Leadership by Example: As king, Hezekiah's public display of humility and his direct appeal to God would have set a powerful example for the people of Judah, encouraging them to likewise turn to the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

  • "rent his clothes": The Hebrew phrase for "rent his clothes" (קָרַע בְּגָדָיו, qara‘ begadav) signifies an outward expression of extreme sorrow, mourning, or distress. It was a common act in the Old Testament to show profound emotion or protest.
  • "sackcloth": This coarse, rough fabric (שַׂק, saq) was worn as a garment of mourning, fasting, or repentance. It symbolized humility and a turning away from worldly comforts to focus on spiritual matters.
  • "house of the LORD": This directly refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship and divine presence for the Israelites. Hezekiah's action was a pilgrimage to the very heart of their spiritual life, seeking God's face.

Practical Application

Hezekiah's response in Isaiah 37:1 offers a timeless lesson for believers today. When faced with overwhelming challenges, whether personal, national, or global, our first and most significant step should be to turn to God in humility and prayer. Like Hezekiah, we are called to lay our burdens before the Lord, acknowledging our dependence on Him rather than relying solely on human strength or strategies. This act of seeking God's presence and guidance, even in dire circumstances, demonstrates true faith and opens the door for God's miraculous intervention and deliverance, as Hezekiah soon experienced.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 19:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 19:37

    And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

  • Isaiah 36:22

    Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

  • Isaiah 37:38

    And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

  • Job 1:20

    ¶ Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

  • Job 1:21

    And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

  • Ezra 9:5

    ¶ And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,
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