Isaiah 37:2

And he sent Eliakim, who [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

And he sent {H7971} Eliakim {H471}, who was over the household {H1004}, and Shebna {H7644} the scribe {H5608}, and the elders {H2205} of the priests {H3548} covered {H3680} with sackcloth {H8242}, unto Isaiah {H3470} the prophet {H5030} the son {H1121} of Amoz {H531}.

He sent Elyakim, who was in charge of the household, Shevnah the general secretary and the leading cohanim, covered with sackcloth, to Yesha'yahu the prophet, the son of Amotz.

And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz

And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

Commentary

Context

Isaiah 37:2 takes place during a critical period in Judah's history, specifically the Assyrian invasion under King Sennacherib around 701 BC. The Assyrian Empire was a dominant power, and its army had already conquered many cities in Judah, threatening Jerusalem itself. The preceding verse, Isaiah 37:1, describes King Hezekiah's profound distress upon receiving Sennacherib's arrogant and blasphemous message, leading him to tear his clothes, cover himself with sackcloth, and enter the temple.

This verse details Hezekiah's immediate action: sending a high-level delegation to Isaiah the prophet. The composition of this delegation—Eliakim (the palace administrator), Shebna (the royal scribe), and the elders of the priests—underscores the gravity of the crisis and the kingdom's desperate need for divine counsel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Humility and Desperation: The delegation's attire of "sackcloth" was a powerful visual symbol of national mourning, humility, and repentance before God. It signified deep distress and a plea for divine mercy and intervention in the face of overwhelming odds. This act highlighted Hezekiah's recognition that human strength alone was insufficient against the Assyrian threat.
  • Seeking Divine Wisdom: King Hezekiah, despite being a righteous king, understood the limits of his own wisdom and power. His decision to send his most trusted officials and religious leaders to Isaiah demonstrates his reliance on God's word and his belief in the prophet's role as a channel for divine communication. They sought God's voice through His chosen messenger.
  • The Prophet's Crucial Role: Isaiah, "the son of Amoz," served as God's primary spokesman to Judah during this tumultuous era. His position as a prophet was essential for guiding the nation and King Hezekiah through spiritual and political crises. This delegation's visit underlines the prophet's authority and importance in providing God's perspective and promise.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sackcloth" (Hebrew: saq) is significant. It refers to a coarse fabric, often made of goat's hair, worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or deep distress. Its presence here, particularly on the elders of the priests, emphasizes the religious and spiritual dimensions of the national crisis. It was a visual and tangible expression of their collective grief and their humble appeal to God for help, a common practice in the ancient Near East and throughout the Old Testament (see Joel 1:13, Jonah 3:6).

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Respond to Crisis with Humility: Like Hezekiah, when faced with overwhelming challenges, our first response should be humility and reliance on God, not self-sufficiency. Recognizing our limitations opens the door for God's power.
  • Seek God's Counsel: In times of uncertainty or distress, it is crucial to seek God's wisdom through His Word, prayer, and the counsel of godly leaders or mentors. Hezekiah didn't just lament; he actively sought a word from the Lord.
  • Trust in God's Messengers: While we no longer have prophets in the same Old Testament sense, God still speaks through His Word and through those who faithfully teach and preach it. We are called to listen and respond to His truth.

This desperate plea to Isaiah sets the stage for one of the most dramatic deliverances in biblical history, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His people when they turn to Him in humility and trust (see Isaiah 37:36).

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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

  • Isaiah 1:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

  • 2 Kings 22:12 (2 votes)

    And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,

  • 2 Kings 22:14 (2 votes)

    So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

  • Isaiah 36:3 (2 votes)

    Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder.

  • 2 Kings 18:18 (2 votes)

    And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:20 (2 votes)

    ¶ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

  • 2 Kings 19:2 (2 votes)

    And he sent Eliakim, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.