Isaiah 37:14

KJV

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Hezekiah {H2396} received {H3947} the letter {H5612} from the hand {H3027} of the messengers {H4397}, and read {H7121} it: and Hezekiah {H2396} went up {H5927} unto the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and spread {H6566} it before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hizkiyahu took the letter from the messengers' hands and read it. Then Hizkiyahu went up to the house of ADONAI and spread it out before ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.

American Standard Version

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up unto the house of Jehovah, and spread it before Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 37:14 captures a pivotal moment in King Hezekiah's reign, illustrating his profound faith and unwavering reliance on God amidst an existential threat to Judah. Upon receiving a blasphemous and intimidating letter from the Assyrian King Sennacherib, Hezekiah did not resort to human strategies or despair, but immediately went to the temple, the house of the LORD, and there, in an act of profound humility and trust, he spread the letter before God, presenting the entire crisis as a direct petition for divine intervention. This act underscores the king's conviction that the battle was ultimately the Lord's.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant narrative block in Isaiah (chapters 36-39), which parallels accounts found in [2 Kings 18-20](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18 - Hezekiah's Reign"). Specifically, [Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Deliverance") details Sennacherib's final, desperate attempt to conquer Jerusalem after capturing many other fortified cities of Judah. The preceding verses (Isaiah 37:9-13) describe the content of Sennacherib's letter, which was filled with taunts against Judah's God, Yahweh, boasting of Assyria's conquests and implying that Yahweh was no different from the gods of the nations already defeated. Hezekiah's response in verse 14 marks a critical turning point, shifting the narrative from human despair and blasphemous challenge to divine intervention and miraculous deliverance, which unfolds in the subsequent verses of the chapter ([Isaiah 37:21-38](/isaiah/37-21 "Isaiah 37:21-38 - God's Answer and Deliverance")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Isaiah 37 occurred around 701 BC, during the reign of King Hezekiah in Judah and King Sennacherib in Assyria. The Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, known for its brutal military campaigns and psychological warfare. Sennacherib's invasion of Judah was part of a broader campaign to solidify Assyrian control over the region. The letter sent to Hezekiah was a common Assyrian tactic designed to break the morale of a besieged city's leadership and populace, undermining their trust in their gods and their ability to resist. For Hezekiah to go to the "house of the LORD" (the Temple in Jerusalem) was not merely a religious act but also a profound political statement, demonstrating his ultimate allegiance and trust in Yahweh as the true sovereign, even over the mightiest earthly empire.
* **Key Themes:** Hezekiah's action in this verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout Isaiah and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God** over all earthly powers, demonstrating that even the most formidable human empires are subject to the will of Yahweh. Sennacherib's taunts against Judah were ultimately seen as taunts against God Himself, making the conflict God's battle to fight ([Isaiah 37:23](/isaiah/37-23 "Isaiah 37:23 - Sennacherib's Blasphemy")). Secondly, it underscores the **Power of Prayer and Intercession** in times of crisis. Hezekiah's immediate and specific appeal to God serves as a model for seeking divine intervention before human solutions. This aligns with the call to "call upon me in the day of trouble" found in [Psalm 50:15](/psalms/50-15 "Psalm 50:15 - Call Upon Me in Trouble"). Finally, the narrative emphasizes **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant People**. Despite Judah's past failings, God remains committed to His promises to David and to the preservation of Jerusalem, demonstrating His steadfast love and protective hand over those who trust in Him, as seen in the miraculous deliverance that follows ([Isaiah 37:36](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36 - The Angel of the LORD Strikes Down Assyrians")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hezekiah (Hebrew, _Chizqîyâh'_):** From the root meaning "strengthened of Jah." This etymology is particularly poignant in this context. While the king faces an overwhelming threat that would typically induce weakness and despair, his name paradoxically points to divine strength. His act of faith in spreading the letter before the LORD demonstrates that his strength does not come from human might or political maneuvering, but from his reliance on Yahweh, the source of his true "strengthening."
* **letter (Hebrew, _çêpher'_):** This word refers to "writing" or a "document," by implication, a "book" or "scroll." It signifies more than a casual message; it was a formal, official, and deliberately crafted communication designed to intimidate and demoralize. By receiving and reading this formal "letter," Hezekiah fully comprehended the gravity and the blasphemous nature of the Assyrian challenge, making his subsequent action all the more significant as a direct response to a concrete, written threat.
* **spread (Hebrew, _pâras'_):** This primitive root means "to break apart, disperse, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out)." In this verse, "spread" describes a deliberate, visual, and symbolic act. Hezekiah didn't just mention the letter; he "laid it open" or "stretched it out" before the Lord. This action vividly conveys the idea of presenting a petition, exposing a grievance, or laying bare a problem directly before a higher authority, much like one would present evidence in a court of law, signifying a complete surrender of the problem to God's jurisdiction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it":** This opening clause establishes the immediate crisis. Hezekiah personally receives the formal, intimidating communication from Sennacherib's representatives. His act of "reading it" signifies his full understanding and absorption of the blasphemous threats and boasts contained within, acknowledging the profound challenge to both his kingdom and his God. This is the moment of human comprehension of an overwhelming, seemingly insurmountable problem.
* **"and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD,"** This describes Hezekiah's immediate, decisive, and faith-filled response. Instead of consulting military advisors, summoning political allies, or panicking, his first and most crucial action is to ascend to the Temple in Jerusalem. The "house of the LORD" (the _bayith_ of Yahweh) was the sacred dwelling place of God's presence, the center of worship, and the locus of covenantal relationship. His going there signifies a turning away from human solutions and a direct turning towards divine help.
* **"and spread it before the LORD."** This is the climactic and most profound act of the verse. It is a visual and deeply symbolic gesture of prayer and supplication. By "spreading" or "laying out" the letter before the Lord, Hezekiah was not simply informing God of the contents (as if God didn't know), but rather presenting the full weight of the crisis, the enemy's blasphemy, and his own helplessness directly to the Almighty. It was an act of complete humility, surrendering the problem entirely to God's sovereign power, acknowledging that only Yahweh could truly address and resolve this existential threat.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 37:14 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The primary device is **Symbolism**: the "letter" itself symbolizes the overwhelming, blasphemous, and humanly insurmountable threat posed by the Assyrian Empire. It represents the sum total of human arrogance and opposition to God. Conversely, the "house of the LORD" symbolizes refuge, divine presence, and the ultimate source of power and deliverance, contrasting sharply with the earthly might of Assyria. The act of "spreading it before the LORD" is a highly symbolic gesture, representing complete surrender, profound trust, and the formal presentation of a desperate plea to the divine judge. This action also highlights **Contrast**: the stark difference between Sennacherib's boastful, human-centric power and Hezekiah's humble, God-centered reliance. While Sennacherib relies on his armies and past conquests, Hezekiah relies solely on the unseen God. The narrative also features **Action-Oriented Language**, with a series of strong verbs—"received," "read," "went up," "spread"—that convey the immediacy, decisiveness, and intentionality of Hezekiah's faith-filled response, moving the story forward with a sense of urgency and purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's response in Isaiah 37:14 serves as a timeless theological paradigm for approaching God in the face of overwhelming adversity. His act of taking the specific, tangible threat—the blasphemous letter—directly to the "house of the LORD" and "spreading it before the LORD" is a profound demonstration of radical trust in divine sovereignty. It teaches that true faith does not ignore or deny the reality of a problem, but rather brings the full weight and detail of that problem into the presence of God. This act acknowledges God's omnipotence and omniscience, recognizing that He is not only aware of our struggles but is also the only one capable of delivering us from them. It transforms a moment of human despair into an opportunity for divine intervention, highlighting God's character as a faithful deliverer who responds to the earnest cries of His people.

* [2 Kings 19:14-19](/2_kings/19-14 "Hezekiah's Prayer in 2 Kings 19:14-19")
* [Psalm 50:15](/psalms/50-15 "Psalm 50:15 - Call upon me in the day of trouble")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's profound act of faith in Isaiah 37:14 offers a powerful and enduring model for believers navigating the complexities and crises of contemporary life. When confronted with our own "letters"—whether they be medical diagnoses, financial crises, relational breakdowns, professional setbacks, or spiritual attacks—our first and most decisive step should be to bring these specific burdens directly to God. Just as Hezekiah laid out the physical letter, we are invited to lay out our anxieties, fears, and petitions before the Lord, in all their raw detail, rather than simply offering vague prayers or succumbing to panic. This act of "spreading it before the Lord" is an intentional surrender of control, an acknowledgment of our limitations, and a profound declaration of trust in God's supreme authority and boundless capacity to intervene. It reminds us that no problem is too great or too specific for Him to handle, and that in His presence, even in the midst of turmoil, we can find peace that transcends understanding, knowing that He hears and will respond according to His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "letters" (specific threats, anxieties, or challenges) are you currently holding that you need to "spread before the Lord" in prayer?**
* **How does Hezekiah's immediate and decisive turn to God challenge your own first responses when faced with overwhelming crises?**
* **What does "spreading it before the Lord" practically look like in your personal prayer life? How can you make your prayers more specific and surrendered?**

### FAQ
**Why did Hezekiah "spread" the letter before the LORD? Why not just read it or summarize it?**

Answer: Hezekiah's act of "spreading" the letter was a deeply symbolic and ceremonial gesture, far more profound than simply reading or summarizing its contents. It was an act of laying out a petition or a grievance, much like one would present evidence or a formal complaint before a judge. By physically laying the letter before the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple, Hezekiah was not merely informing God (who is omniscient) but was formally presenting the full weight of the Assyrian king's blasphemy and the existential threat to Judah directly to the divine sovereign. This act demonstrated profound humility, acknowledging his own helplessness, and complete trust in God's power and jurisdiction over the situation. It was a plea for divine intervention, inviting God to see the enemy's taunts against Judah as direct affronts to His own name and honor, thereby making it God's battle to fight. This act of vulnerability and faith underscored his belief that only the Lord could deliver them from such a formidable foe.

**Was this a common practice in ancient Israel to "spread" objects before the Lord in prayer?**

Answer: While the specific act of spreading a physical letter might not be widely documented as a recurring ritual in ancient Israelite worship, the underlying principle of bringing specific grievances, petitions, or offerings directly into God's presence in the Temple was central to their religious practice. The Temple was the designated place where God met with His people, and where they presented their needs, sacrifices, and prayers. Hezekiah's action aligns with the broader biblical concept of laying one's burdens before the Lord ([Psalm 55:22](/psalms/55-22 "Psalm 55:22 - Cast your burden on the LORD")). It was a deeply personal and profound act of worship and supplication that resonated with the understanding of God as a righteous judge and a powerful deliverer who hears and responds to the cries of His people. It was an extraordinary act for an extraordinary crisis, emphasizing the direct, unmediated appeal to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's act of spreading the threatening letter before the LORD in the Temple profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hezekiah, as a faithful king, interceded for his people by bringing their overwhelming crisis directly to God, trusting in divine power for deliverance. This points to Christ, our ultimate King and High Priest, who perfectly intercedes for us. Just as Hezekiah laid out the physical letter, Jesus, through His incarnation, took upon Himself the full weight of humanity's spiritual "letter"—the indictment of sin, the condemnation of the law, and the threats of spiritual enemies. He bore this burden not merely before God, but *as* God, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Our access to God, which Hezekiah sought in the Temple, is now found in Christ, who is the true Temple and the living way to the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). We are invited to cast all our anxieties and burdens upon Him ([1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on Him")), knowing that He has already triumphed over the ultimate enemies of sin, death, and the devil ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph over spiritual powers")). Hezekiah's faith in God's deliverance from a physical enemy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's deliverance of humanity from eternal spiritual bondage, inviting us to come to Him with all our weariness and burdens, for He promises rest for our souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")).

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

Psalms 123:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Psalms 123:4

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, [and] with the contempt of the proud.

2 Kings 19:14

And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

1 Kings 8:38

What prayer and supplication soever be [made] by any man, [or] by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:

2 Chronicles 6:20

That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.

2 Chronicles 6:42

O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.

Psalms 74:10

O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?