Isaiah 37:32

KJV

For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.

KJV (with Strong's)

For out of Jerusalem {H3389} shall go forth {H3318} a remnant {H7611}, and they that escape {H6413} out of mount {H2022} Zion {H6726}: the zeal {H7068} of the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} shall do {H6213} this.

Complete Jewish Bible

for a remnant will go out from Yerushalayim, those escaping will go out from Mount Tziyon. The zeal of ADONAI-Tzva'ot will accomplish this.'

Berean Standard Bible

For a remnant will go forth from Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

American Standard Version

For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and out of mount Zion they that shall escape. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 37:32 serves as a powerful divine assurance to King Hezekiah and the besieged people of Jerusalem, promising their miraculous preservation from the overwhelming Assyrian threat. It declares that a surviving remnant will indeed emerge from the city, not by human strength or strategic prowess, but solely by the passionate, protective commitment—the "zeal"—of the LORD of hosts, thereby demonstrating God's unwavering sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant and His chosen dwelling place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 37 is nestled within a significant historical and prophetic section of the book (chapters 36-39) that details the Assyrian invasion under King Sennacherib and God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem. The preceding chapter, Isaiah 36, describes Sennacherib's taunting messages and Rabshakeh's blasphemous challenge to Judah's God. Chapter 37 opens with King Hezekiah's deep distress, his act of repentance, and his earnest prayer to the LORD. Isaiah, the prophet, then delivers God's direct response, assuring Hezekiah that Sennacherib will not enter the city and will return to his own land. Verse 32 functions as the theological underpinning for this audacious promise, explaining *why* such an impossible deliverance will occur: it is driven by the very character and commitment of God. The subsequent verses (Isaiah 37:36-38) narrate the immediate, miraculous fulfillment of this prophecy, with the angel of the LORD striking down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Isaiah 37 occurred around 701 BC, a period when the Neo-Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower, known for its brutal military campaigns and effective siege warfare. King Sennacherib's invasion of Judah was part of Assyria's broader campaign to solidify control over the Levant. Jerusalem, though fortified, faced an existential threat, as many surrounding cities had already fallen. In this ancient Near Eastern context, military victories were often attributed to the gods of the conquering nation, and Sennacherib's taunts were not merely political but also theological challenges to Yahweh. The concept of a "remnant" was particularly poignant in a time of widespread destruction and exile, reflecting God's promise to preserve a faithful core of His people despite their sins and the surrounding chaos. The mention of "Mount Zion" underscores Jerusalem's unique status as God's chosen city and dwelling place, a theological anchor for the people's hope.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Deliverance**, asserting that the salvation of Jerusalem is not a result of human strategy or military might, but solely the direct, sovereign intervention of the LORD. This underscores God's absolute control over history and nations, as seen throughout [Isaiah 10:5-19](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-19 - Assyria as God's instrument"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Preservation of a Remnant**, a recurring motif in Isaiah, signifying God's faithfulness to His covenant by preserving a surviving, faithful core of His people, even amidst judgment and devastation. This theme is foundational to understanding God's redemptive plan, as elaborated in [Isaiah 10:21-22](/isaiah/10-21 "Isaiah 10:21-22 - A remnant will return"). Thirdly, **The Zeal of the LORD** is presented as the driving force behind this deliverance. This "zeal" (Hebrew: *qin'ah*) signifies God's intense, passionate, and protective commitment to His own name, His covenant promises, and His people, compelling Him to act decisively to uphold His honor. This divine attribute is also famously invoked in [Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "The zeal of the LORD of hosts"). Finally, the verse reinforces the **Significance of Zion/Jerusalem** as God's chosen dwelling place and the center of His redemptive purposes, making its defense a matter of divine honor and commitment, as celebrated in [Psalm 46:4-5](/psalm/46-4 "God is in the midst of her").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **remnant (Hebrew, _shᵉʼêrîyth'_):** H7611, meaning "a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion." In the context of Isaiah, this term carries profound theological weight, referring to those who survive divine judgment or foreign invasion, often implying a faithful core through whom God's promises will continue. It signifies God's preservation of a people for His purposes, even when the majority may fall away or be destroyed.
* **Zion (Hebrew, _Tsîyôwn'_):** H6726, referring to "a mountain of Jerusalem," often used synonymously with Jerusalem itself, particularly in its theological sense as the holy city, the dwelling place of God, and the center of His kingdom. Its mention here alongside "Jerusalem" emphasizes the sacred and protected status of the city in God's eyes.
* **zeal (Hebrew, _qinʼâh'_):** H7068, meaning "jealousy or envy," but in the divine context, it denotes God's intense, passionate, and protective commitment to His own honor, His covenant, and His people. It is a holy and righteous passion that compels Him to act decisively against anything that threatens His glory or His promises.
* **do (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** H6213, a primitive root meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." Here, it emphasizes the active, effective, and sovereign agency of the LORD. It's not merely a passive observation or a wish, but a definitive, powerful act of accomplishment by God Himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant":** This clause declares that despite the siege and the threat of total annihilation, a group of survivors will emerge from Jerusalem. The phrase "go forth" implies not just survival within the city walls, but a demonstrable preservation, a living testament to God's intervention. This "remnant" is a key concept, highlighting God's selective preservation.
* **"and they that escape out of mount Zion":** This phrase serves as a parallel to the first, reinforcing the idea of survival and emphasizing the location. "Mount Zion" is often used interchangeably with Jerusalem, particularly in its sacred aspect. The parallelism underscores the certainty of the preservation and the specific location of God's miraculous work. "They that escape" further confirms the direness of the situation from which they are delivered, making their survival all the more miraculous.
* **"the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.":** This is the explanatory and causative clause, revealing the ultimate power behind the promised deliverance. It is not human strength, military strategy, or political maneuvering, but the "zeal" (passionate, protective commitment) of "the LORD of hosts" (Yahweh, the God of armies/heavenly powers) that will accomplish this seemingly impossible feat. This phrase attributes the entire miraculous event to God's character and sovereign will.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 37:32 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident in the pairing of "Jerusalem" and "mount Zion," as well as "a remnant" and "they that escape," which serves to reinforce the message of preservation and the specific location of God's action. This **Synonymous Parallelism** emphasizes the certainty and dual nature of the city's identity as both a physical place and a spiritual symbol. The phrase "the zeal of the LORD of hosts" utilizes **Personification**, attributing an active, causative force to an abstract quality of God. God's "zeal" is presented as the very agent that "shall do this," making His divine passion the driving engine of history. Furthermore, the declarative nature of the statement, "shall do this," acts as a **Divine Fiat**, a pronouncement of God's sovereign will that ensures its fulfillment, leaving no room for doubt about the outcome. The entire verse functions as a **Prophecy**, a divinely inspired declaration of future events, rooted in God's character and promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 37:32 stands as a profound testament to God's active sovereignty and unwavering covenant faithfulness. It teaches that God's commitment to His people and His own glory is the ultimate guarantee of their security, even when faced with overwhelming human power. The concept of the "remnant" is central, illustrating God's method of preserving a faithful core through judgment, ensuring the continuity of His redemptive plan. This is not based on human merit but on God's own passionate nature—His "zeal"—which compels Him to act to uphold His promises and defend His name. This divine zeal ensures that His purposes will be accomplished, regardless of the apparent impossibility of the circumstances. The verse also underscores the unique theological significance of Jerusalem/Zion as the place of God's dwelling and the focal point of His redemptive history.

* [2 Kings 19:31](/2_kings/19-31 "2 Kings 19:31 - The zeal of the LORD of hosts"): A direct parallel passage, reiterating the exact phrase "the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this," confirming the divine authorship and power behind Jerusalem's deliverance.
* [Romans 9:27](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27 - A remnant will be saved"): Paul quotes Isaiah to illustrate the ongoing biblical theme of a remnant, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and preservation of a portion of Israel for His purposes, extending into the New Testament era.
* [Psalm 46:1-3](/psalm/46-1 "Psalm 46:1-3 - God is our refuge and strength"): This Psalm beautifully articulates the confidence that God's people can have in His presence and power, even when "the earth gives way," echoing the assurance of divine protection found in Isaiah 37:32.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 37:32 offers profound encouragement and a call to trust for believers today. In a world often characterized by overwhelming threats, anxieties, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse reminds us that our ultimate security rests not in human strength, political solutions, or economic stability, but in the "zeal of the LORD of hosts." God's passionate commitment to His promises and His people is the driving force behind His interventions. Just as He preserved a physical remnant in Jerusalem, He continues to preserve His spiritual remnant, the Church, through all trials. This should inspire us to bring our "impossible" situations before Him in prayer, knowing that His zeal will accomplish what is humanly impossible. It also calls us to live as faithful members of that preserved remnant, trusting in His power and participating in His purposes, confident that His divine passion will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "zeal" as a passionate, protective commitment impact your trust in His promises during times of personal or collective crisis?**
* **In what ways might we, as believers, be considered a "remnant" today, and what is our calling and responsibility in that role within a world that often opposes God's ways?**
* **What specific "impossible" situations in your life, your community, or the wider world do you need to entrust to the "zeal of the LORD of hosts," believing He "shall do this"?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the zeal of the LORD of hosts"?**

Answer: "The zeal of the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: *qin'ah YHWH tsva'ot*) is a powerful theological statement indicating God's intense, passionate, and protective commitment to His own honor, His covenant, and His people. It's not a human emotion of envy, but a divine attribute that compels Him to act decisively to defend His name and fulfill His promises. In Isaiah 37:32, it signifies that God's intervention to save Jerusalem is not arbitrary but flows from His very character—His holy passion for His own glory and for the well-being of those He has chosen. This same zeal is described as establishing the Messiah's kingdom in [Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - The zeal of the LORD of hosts"), and God Himself declares His "jealousy" for His people in [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God is a jealous God").

**How does this verse relate to the broader biblical concept of the "remnant"?**

Answer: The concept of the "remnant" is a recurring and crucial theme throughout the Bible, particularly in the prophetic books. It refers to a surviving portion of God's people who are preserved through judgment or tribulation, not because of their own merit, but by God's grace and sovereign choice. In Isaiah 37:32, the "remnant" from Jerusalem and Zion refers to the physical survivors of the Assyrian siege, whom God miraculously preserved. Theologically, this concept extends to those who remain faithful to God amidst apostasy or persecution, and ultimately, to the spiritual remnant chosen by grace in the New Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - A very small remnant") and [Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "Romans 11:5 - A remnant chosen by grace")). It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant, ensuring that He will always preserve a people through whom His redemptive purposes will be carried out.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 37:32, with its declaration of divine protection for a remnant out of Zion, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the establishment of His church. While historically fulfilled in Jerusalem's deliverance from Assyria, the prophecy points to a greater spiritual reality. Jesus himself is the embodiment of God's "zeal," demonstrated in His passion for His Father's house and glory, as seen when He cleansed the temple (e.g., [John 2:17](/john/2-17 "John 2:17 - Zeal for your house")). He is the ultimate "escape" and the one through whom the true spiritual "remnant" is gathered—those chosen by grace from every nation, tribe, and tongue. The "Jerusalem" and "Mount Zion" of this verse foreshadow the heavenly Jerusalem, the New Covenant community, which is the Church. Christ promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church (e.g., [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The gates of hell shall not prevail")), echoing the divine protection promised to ancient Zion. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus accomplished the ultimate deliverance, not merely from physical enemies, but from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Believers are now citizens of this heavenly Jerusalem, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone (e.g., [Hebrews 12:22](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22 - Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem") and [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow citizens with the saints")). Thus, the zeal of the LORD, fully manifested in Christ, ensures the eternal security and preservation of His redeemed people.

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

Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

2 Kings 19:31

For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD [of hosts] shall do this.

Zechariah 1:14

So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

Joel 2:18

¶ Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

Isaiah 59:17

For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

Isaiah 37:20

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.