Isaiah 37:29

Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Because thy rage {H7264} against me, and thy tumult {H7600}, is come up {H5927} into mine ears {H241}, therefore will I put {H7760} my hook {H2397} in thy nose {H639}, and my bridle {H4964} in thy lips {H8193}, and I will turn thee back {H7725} by the way {H1870} by which thou camest {H935}.

And because of your rage against me, because of your pride that has reached my ears, I am putting my hook in your nose and my bridle on your lips; and I will make you return by the way on which you came.

Because your rage and arrogance against Me have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will send you back the way you came.’

Because of thy raging against me, and because thine arrogancy is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Commentary

Isaiah 37:29 (KJV) is a powerful declaration from God, delivered through the prophet Isaiah, directly addressing Sennacherib, the arrogant King of Assyria. This verse encapsulates God's absolute control over earthly powers that defy Him, promising a decisive end to Sennacherib's campaign against Jerusalem.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative in Isaiah 36-39, which recounts the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. Sennacherib had already conquered many cities in Judah and was threatening Jerusalem, sending his field commander, Rabshakeh, to deliver boastful and blasphemous messages to King Hezekiah and the people, challenging God Himself. Overwhelmed, Hezekiah spread Sennacherib's letter before the Lord in fervent prayer. In response, God, through Isaiah, provides assurance of deliverance, condemning Sennacherib's pride and rage against Him. Verse 29 is the culmination of God's direct message to the Assyrian king, promising his forced retreat.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The verse vividly demonstrates God's absolute authority over all earthly rulers and nations. Despite Sennacherib's immense power and military might, God declares His ability to manipulate and redirect him as easily as one controls an animal.
  • Judgment on Arrogance and Blasphemy: God explicitly states that Sennacherib's "rage against me, and thy tumult" (his arrogant defiance and boastful clamor) has provoked this divine intervention. This serves as a strong warning against pride and blasphemy directed toward the Almighty.
  • God's Protection of His People: This prophecy assures Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem that God would protect them from the overwhelming Assyrian threat. The immediate consequence of God's action against Sennacherib was the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, fulfilling the Lord's promise to defend His city.
  • Humiliation of the Enemy: The imagery of the "hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips" signifies complete humiliation and forced submission. Sennacherib, who had boasted of his conquests and power, would be led away in disgrace, returning by the very way he came, unable to achieve his objective against Jerusalem.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The imagery of "putting a hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips" is a powerful and culturally specific metaphor from the Ancient Near East. It refers to the practice of leading captive kings or controlling powerful, unruly animals (like oxen or camels) by piercing their noses with a ring or hook, and then attaching a rope or bridle to it. This allowed the controller to dictate the animal's direction and movement, regardless of its will. In this context, it emphasizes God's total and humiliating control over Sennacherib, treating the mighty king as a subdued beast.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 37:29 offers profound encouragement and a vital reminder:

  • Trust in God's Control: When facing seemingly insurmountable challenges or oppressive forces, this verse affirms that God remains in sovereign control. No human power, however great or threatening, can ultimately thwart His will or harm His people without His permission.
  • Humility Before God: It serves as a caution against pride and arrogance. Those who defiantly set themselves against God will ultimately face His judgment and humiliation, just as Sennacherib did.
  • Assurance of Deliverance: Just as God miraculously delivered Jerusalem, we can trust in His power to deliver us from our troubles, whether they are physical, spiritual, or emotional. His promises are steadfast.
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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

  • Ezekiel 38:4

    And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts [of armour, even] a great company [with] bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:

  • Isaiah 10:12

    Wherefore it shall come to pass, [that] when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

  • Isaiah 30:28

    And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and [there shall be] a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing [them] to err.

  • Isaiah 37:34

    By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 29:4

    But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.

  • Acts 9:4

    And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

  • Psalms 74:23

    Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.