Isaiah 37:37

So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.

So Sennacherib {H5576} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} departed {H5265}, and went {H3212} and returned {H7725}, and dwelt {H3427} at Nineveh {H5210}.

So Sancheriv king of Ashur left, went and returned to live in Ninveh.

So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.

So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.

Commentary

Isaiah 37:37 marks the definitive end of the Assyrian King Sennacherib's terrifying siege against Jerusalem, representing a powerful moment of divine intervention and deliverance for Judah.

Context

This verse concludes a dramatic narrative detailing the Assyrian Empire's aggressive expansion and Sennacherib's direct threat against Jerusalem and King Hezekiah. Throughout Isaiah chapters 36 and 37 (and parallel accounts in 2 Kings 18-19 and 2 Chronicles 32), we see Sennacherib's boastful defiance of the Lord and his threats to annihilate Jerusalem, much like he had conquered other cities. However, King Hezekiah, in humility and faith, sought the Lord's help through the prophet Isaiah.

The turning point came immediately before this verse: an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (Isaiah 37:36). This devastating blow left Sennacherib with no choice but to abandon his campaign and retreat. This verse, therefore, signifies the immediate and humiliating withdrawal of the once-mighty Assyrian king from Judah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The verse powerfully illustrates God's ability to protect His people from overwhelming threats. Sennacherib's departure was not due to Judah's military might but to God's direct intervention.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Isaiah's prophecies regarding Sennacherib's retreat and eventual death (Isaiah 37:7, 37:34) are unequivocally fulfilled here.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: Even the most powerful earthly rulers, like Sennacherib, are ultimately subject to the will and power of the Almighty God. His plans prevail over human pride and might.
  • Answered Prayer: This outcome was a direct answer to King Hezekiah's earnest prayer for deliverance from the Assyrian threat (Isaiah 37:15-20).

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "departed, and went and returned" emphasizes the complete and decisive nature of Sennacherib's retreat. It is not presented as a strategic withdrawal but as a forced, ignominious exit after his army was decimated. The repetition highlights the finality of his departure from Judah's borders, marking the end of his immediate threat to Jerusalem.

Historical Significance

Sennacherib's retreat was a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, confirming Jerusalem's status as a city protected by God. His return to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was not the end of his story. As prophesied, he would eventually meet his demise there, assassinated by his own sons (Isaiah 37:38), further underscoring God's ultimate control over human destiny.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today that God is faithful to His promises and has the power to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable obstacles. When facing overwhelming challenges or hostile forces, we can take courage from Hezekiah's example of humble prayer and trust in God's sovereign hand. The same God who protected Jerusalem from Sennacherib continues to watch over and deliver those who place their faith in Him, demonstrating that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Jonah 3:3

    So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.

  • Jonah 1:2

    Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

  • Isaiah 31:9

    And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire [is] in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.

  • Nahum 1:1

    ¶ The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

  • Matthew 12:41

    The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here.

  • 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.

  • Genesis 10:11

    Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
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