Isaiah 37:9

And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard [it], he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

And he heard {H8085} say {H559} concerning Tirhakah {H8640} king {H4428} of Ethiopia {H3568}, He is come forth {H3318} to make war {H3898} with thee. And when he heard {H8085} it, he sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} to Hezekiah {H2396}, saying {H559},

Then he heard it said that Tirhakah king of Ethiopia was on his way to fight him. On hearing this, the king of Ashur sent messengers to Hizkiyahu, after ordering them,

Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “He has set out to fight against you.” On hearing this, Sennacherib sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come out to fight against thee. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

Commentary

Isaiah 37:9 introduces a crucial turning point in the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. This verse reveals a new development that momentarily shifts the focus of the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, and sets the stage for God's ultimate intervention.

Context

This verse is situated within the dramatic account of Sennacherib's massive invasion of Judah, a historical event corroborated by Assyrian annals. King Sennacherib, having already conquered many fortified cities in Judah, was now threatening Jerusalem, demanding its surrender. King Hezekiah, facing immense pressure and the psychological warfare waged by Sennacherib's field commander, the Rabshakeh, had sought counsel from the prophet Isaiah. At this critical juncture, Sennacherib, while besieging Lachish, receives intelligence about Tirhakah, the king of Ethiopia (more accurately, the Kushite king of Egypt and Nubia, often referred to as Kush in ancient texts). The news that Tirhakah was advancing to make war against Assyria presented a significant geopolitical threat, potentially forcing Sennacherib to divide his forces or withdraw. Upon hearing this, Sennacherib chooses to send a further, more intimidating message to Hezekiah, rather than immediately engaging Tirhakah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Orchestration: The sudden appearance of Tirhakah on the scene, seemingly an unrelated external event, highlights how God can use geopolitical movements and unexpected developments to influence the course of events and fulfill His purposes. It serves as a diversion for Sennacherib, buying time for Jerusalem.
  • Psychological Warfare Intensified: Instead of being deterred, Sennacherib uses the news of Tirhakah's approach as an opportunity to further intimidate Hezekiah. His subsequent message (detailed in Isaiah 37:10-13) attempts to undermine Hezekiah's faith and trust in the Lord, portraying God as just another deity unable to save His people from Assyrian might.
  • The Test of Faith: This new pressure tests Hezekiah's resolve. The initial threat from Sennacherib was severe, but now Hezekiah faces a renewed, more personal challenge to his faith, even as a potential ally (Tirhakah) approaches. This sets the stage for King Hezekiah's fervent prayer and God's miraculous response.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Ethiopia" in KJV often refers to the ancient kingdom of Kush, which encompassed parts of modern-day Sudan and Egypt. Tirhakah (or Taharqa) was indeed a powerful pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty of Egypt, of Kushite origin, who would later confront Sennacherib in battle.

Practical Application

Isaiah 37:9 reminds us that even in overwhelming circumstances, God is at work behind the scenes. Just as the news of Tirhakah's advance served God's sovereign plan to deliver Jerusalem, so too can unexpected events in our lives be part of His larger design. When faced with daunting challenges or renewed pressures, like Hezekiah, we are called to bring our fears and the enemy's taunts before the Lord in prayer, trusting that His timing and methods of deliverance are perfect. This verse encourages us to look beyond immediate threats and recognize God's providential hand, which ultimately led to Jerusalem's miraculous deliverance.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 1 Samuel 23:27

    But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

  • 1 Samuel 23:28

    Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

  • Isaiah 37:7

    Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

  • Isaiah 18:1

    ¶ Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which [is] beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:

  • Isaiah 20:5

    And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
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