Isaiah 37:20

KJV

Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore, O LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, save {H3467} us from his hand {H3027}, that all the kingdoms {H4467} of the earth {H776} may know {H3045} that thou art the LORD {H3068}, even thou only.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now therefore, ADONAI our God, save us from his power - so that all the kingdoms on earth will know that you are ADONAI - you only."

Berean Standard Bible

And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”

American Standard Version

Now therefore, O Jehovah our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art Jehovah, even thou only.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 37:20 records King Hezekiah’s fervent prayer during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, a desperate plea for divine intervention that transcends mere physical salvation. It articulates a profound theological conviction: that God's deliverance of Judah would serve as an undeniable testament to His unique sovereignty and power, revealing to all the kingdoms of the earth that He alone is the true and living God, incomparable to any other deity or force. This prayer elevates the glory of God as the ultimate purpose for Judah's salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a dramatic narrative spanning [Isaiah 36-39](/isaiah/36 "Isaiah 36-39 - The Assyrian Invasion and Hezekiah's Illness"), which recounts the Assyrian invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. Specifically, it follows Sennacherib's threatening letter and the blasphemous taunts of his envoy, Rabshakeh, who challenged the Lord's ability to deliver Jerusalem, comparing Him to the defeated gods of other nations (as seen in [Isaiah 36:18-20](/isaiah/36-18-20 "Isaiah 36:18-20 - Rabshakeh's Taunts Against Jerusalem and Yahweh")). Hezekiah, in response, takes Sennacherib's letter to the temple, spreads it before the Lord, and pours out his heart in prayer. Verse 20 is the climax of this prayer, expressing not only a plea for rescue but a profound theological rationale for God's intervention, setting the stage for God's miraculous response through the prophet Isaiah (cf. [Isaiah 37:21-35](/isaiah/37-21-35 "Isaiah 37:21-35 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Deliverance")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BC was a period of immense geopolitical upheaval, with the Neo-Assyrian Empire dominating the ancient Near East. Assyria was known for its brutal military campaigns, systematic deportations, and psychological warfare, aiming to crush the will of its enemies. Jerusalem, as the capital of Judah, found itself isolated after the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) in 722 BC and the subsequent Assyrian subjugation of other Judean cities. Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC was a critical moment, representing an existential threat to Judah's survival and, by extension, to the covenant people of God. In this polytheistic world, a nation's god was often perceived as only as powerful as the nation itself. Sennacherib's taunts were designed to undermine faith in Yahweh, suggesting He was no different from the idols of conquered peoples, making Hezekiah's prayer a bold declaration against the prevailing worldview.

* **Key Themes:** Hezekiah's prayer in [Isaiah 37:20](/isaiah/37-20 "Isaiah 37:20 - Hezekiah's Prayer for God's Glory") powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. First, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Uniqueness**, asserting that the God of Israel is the one true God, distinct from and superior to all other deities. This is a foundational tenet of Israelite monotheism, famously encapsulated in the [Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD"). Second, it highlights the theme of **God's Glory and Reputation**, demonstrating that God's actions are often motivated by His desire to vindicate His name among the nations. Hezekiah understands that Judah's deliverance would serve as a public demonstration of God's power, echoing God's own stated purpose to be known and sanctified among the Gentiles (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Name Sanctified Among the Nations")). Finally, it exemplifies **Faithful Prayer in Crisis**, showcasing Hezekiah's model of turning to God in utter dependence when faced with an insurmountable human threat, a pattern encouraged throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 50:15](/psalm/50-15 "Psalm 50:15 - Call Upon Me in the Day of Trouble")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the tetragrammaton (H3068), the personal, covenantal name of God, often rendered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." Derived from the root "to be," it signifies the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging nature of God. Hezekiah's use of "O LORD our God" (combining _Yᵉhôvâh'_ with _ʼĕlôhîym'_ (H430), the plural of majesty for God) emphasizes a personal relationship with the one true, supreme God, contrasting Him with the impotent gods of the Assyrians. The prayer appeals to God's covenant faithfulness and His inherent nature as the sovereign Lord.
* **save (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H3467) properly means "to be open, wide or free," and by implication, "to be safe." Causatively, it means "to free or succor," encompassing concepts of deliverance, help, preservation, and bringing salvation. Hezekiah's plea for God to "save us" is a cry for complete liberation from the overwhelming Assyrian threat, appealing to God's character as the one who delivers His people from bondage and danger, as demonstrated throughout Israel's history (e.g., the Exodus).
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H3045) signifies "to ascertain by seeing," and extends to a wide variety of senses including observation, care, recognition, and instruction. In this context, it implies a deep, experiential knowledge and acknowledgment. Hezekiah desires that "all the kingdoms of the earth may know" the LORD, meaning they would come to recognize, understand, and acknowledge His unique power, sovereignty, and exclusive deity through His decisive act of salvation. This is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand,"**: This opening clause establishes the immediate and urgent nature of the prayer ("Now therefore"). Hezekiah addresses God personally as "O LORD our God," invoking the covenant name and acknowledging His unique relationship with Israel. The plea "save us from his hand" is a direct and desperate request for deliverance from the overwhelming power and dominion ("hand," H3027, _yâd'_ often signifying power or control) of Sennacherib and the Assyrian army.
* **"that all the kingdoms of the earth may know"**: This clause reveals the profound, ultimate purpose behind Hezekiah's request for salvation. The deliverance is not merely for Judah's comfort or survival, but for a global, revelatory outcome. "All the kingdoms of the earth" (H4467, _mamlâkâh'_ for kingdoms; H776, _ʼerets'_ for earth) signifies the entire world, implying that God's action will serve as a universal witness, demonstrating His power to all nations, not just Israel.
* **"that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only."**: This final declaration is the theological climax of the prayer. It asserts the absolute and exclusive deity of Yahweh. The repetition of "thou" and the emphatic "only" (Hebrew: _levaddekha_) powerfully declare God's singular existence and unparalleled sovereignty. In a world of many gods, Hezekiah prays that God's intervention will prove beyond doubt that He is the one true God, distinct from and superior to all false deities.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 37:20 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological weight. The most prominent is **Prayer** itself, serving as a direct address to God, modeling earnest supplication in crisis. Hezekiah employs **Direct Address** ("O LORD our God") to establish an intimate and personal appeal to the divine. The phrase "save us from his hand" uses **Metonymy**, where "hand" (H3027, _yâd'_) represents the power, dominion, and destructive capability of Sennacherib. The core of the verse is a powerful **Declaration of Monotheism**, explicitly stating "that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only," which functions as an emphatic assertion of God's exclusive deity against the polytheistic claims of the Assyrians. This declaration also sets up a **Contrast** between the true God and the false gods of the nations, highlighting Yahweh's unique power. The structure of the prayer, moving from a desperate plea to a grand theological purpose, demonstrates **Teleological Framing**, where the immediate human need is subsumed by the ultimate divine glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah 37:20 transcends a mere plea for survival, articulating a profound theological truth: God's ultimate purpose in human history is the vindication and glorification of His own name. This prayer aligns with the consistent biblical theme that God acts not only for the benefit of His people but, more fundamentally, to demonstrate His unique power and sovereignty to a watching world. It underscores the concept of *missio Dei* – the mission of God – where God's redemptive acts are designed to reveal His character to all nations, thereby inviting them to acknowledge Him as the one true God. This divine self-revelation through acts of salvation is a recurring motif, from the Exodus to the eschatological promises of universal knowledge of God.

* [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God's Power Displayed in Egypt")
* [Psalm 46:10](/psalm/46-10 "Psalm 46:10 - Be Still, and Know That I Am God")
* [Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Name Sanctified Among the Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's prayer offers a powerful template for contemporary believers facing overwhelming challenges. It teaches us that our petitions, while deeply personal, can and should be infused with a greater, God-centered purpose. When we pray for deliverance, healing, or provision, we are invited to consider how God's answer might serve to magnify His name and reveal His character to those around us. This shifts our perspective from self-interest to divine glory, aligning our desires with God's ultimate redemptive plan. In a world that offers countless false securities and competing ideologies, Hezekiah's unwavering declaration of God's "only-ness" reminds us to anchor our hope and trust in the singular, sovereign Lord who alone has the power to save and to whom all glory belongs. Our lives, when lived in faithful dependence and marked by God's intervention, become testimonies to His unique power, drawing others to acknowledge Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Hezekiah's focus on God's glory, rather than solely on his own deliverance, challenge or reshape your own prayer life?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you facing an "Assyrian army" where you need God to demonstrate His unique power?**
* **How can your response to difficult circumstances become a testimony to others that the LORD "alone" is God?**

### FAQ

**What was the immediate outcome of Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah 37:20?**

Answer: The immediate outcome of Hezekiah's prayer was a miraculous deliverance by God. The prophet Isaiah was sent to Hezekiah with a message from the Lord, assuring him that God had heard his prayer and would defend Jerusalem. That very night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp. Sennacherib, humiliated, withdrew to Nineveh, where he was later assassinated by his own sons (as detailed in [Isaiah 37:36-38](/isaiah/37-36-38 "Isaiah 37:36-38 - The Angel of the LORD Strikes the Assyrians")). This dramatic event served as a powerful testament to God's unique sovereignty, fulfilling the very purpose of Hezekiah's prayer: that all the kingdoms of the earth might know that the Lord alone is God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 37:20, with its fervent plea for God to save His people that His unique sovereignty might be known, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Hezekiah's prayer for deliverance from a physical enemy, leading to the revelation of God's power, foreshadows the greater spiritual salvation wrought by Christ, which truly reveals God's nature to all nations. Jesus, as the incarnate [Son of God](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us"), is the ultimate demonstration that God is "the LORD, even thou only." Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ not only delivered humanity from the dominion of sin and death (cf. [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Dominion of Darkness")), but also unveiled the Father's character and glory in a way previously unimaginable (cf. [John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Whoever Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")). The "kingdoms of the earth" that Hezekiah desired to know God's uniqueness are now called to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, for it is through Him that God's saving power and exclusive deity are most fully and universally proclaimed (cf. [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus")). Christ's finished work on the cross is the supreme act of salvation that reveals God's glory and establishes His reign over all creation, inviting people from every tribe and tongue to come and know Him (cf. [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Multitude from Every Nation Worships 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

Psalms 46:10

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

1 Kings 18:36

And it came to pass at [the time of] the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou [art] God in Israel, and [that] I [am] thy servant, and [that] I have done all these things at thy word.

1 Kings 18:37

Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou [art] the LORD God, and [that] thou hast turned their heart back again.

Psalms 83:17

Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

Psalms 83:18

That [men] may know that thou, whose name alone [is] JEHOVAH, [art] the most high over all the earth.

Ezekiel 36:23

And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Psalms 67:1

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm [or] Song. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; [and] cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.