Isaiah 37:9

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

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},

Complete Jewish Bible

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,

Berean Standard Bible

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,

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 37:9 captures a pivotal moment during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, revealing a strategic development that temporarily diverts King Sennacherib's immediate attention from Judah's capital. While actively threatening Jerusalem, Sennacherib receives critical intelligence that Tirhakah, the formidable king of Ethiopia (Kush), is advancing with the intent to engage him in battle. This unexpected news prompts Sennacherib to send a renewed, more aggressive message to King Hezekiah, intensifying the spiritual and political stakes and setting the stage for a profound test of faith and divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the broader historical narrative of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah, primarily detailed in [Isaiah 36](/isaiah/36 "Isaiah 36 - Sennacherib's Invasion and Rabshakeh's Taunts") and [Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Deliverance"). These chapters form a cohesive account of the overwhelming Assyrian threat and God's miraculous deliverance. Immediately preceding this verse, Sennacherib's field commander, the Rabshakeh, has delivered a series of blasphemous and psychologically intimidating speeches to the people of Jerusalem, aiming to erode their morale and trust in Yahweh. King Hezekiah, in response to this immense pressure, has demonstrated his reliance on God by tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth, and sending officials to the prophet Isaiah for divine guidance, as recorded in [Isaiah 37:1-7](/isaiah/37-1-7 "Isaiah 37:1-7 - Hezekiah Seeks Isaiah's Counsel and Receives a Prophecy of Deliverance"). The arrival of news concerning Tirhakah's advance serves as a crucial narrative pivot, introducing an external factor that provides a temporary strategic reprieve for Judah and significantly alters the dynamic of the unfolding drama.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events depicted in Isaiah 37:9 occurred around 701 BC, during the reigns of King Hezekiah of Judah and King Sennacherib of Assyria. At this time, the Neo-Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, renowned for its brutal military campaigns, sophisticated siege warfare, and effective psychological tactics designed to induce surrender. Sennacherib's own annals corroborate his extensive campaign against Judah, including the capture of many fortified cities and his successful siege of Jerusalem. Tirhakah (also known as Taharqa) was a pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty of Egypt, which was of Kushite (Nubian) origin. During this period, Egypt and Kush were unified under Kushite rule, making Tirhakah a formidable regional power whose influence extended into the Levant. His military advance posed a genuine and significant threat to Sennacherib's western flank, potentially forcing the Assyrian king to engage in a costly two-front war. The intelligence of Tirhakah's movement was not a minor report but a critical geopolitical development with the potential to fundamentally alter the balance of power in the region and disrupt Sennacherib's campaign.
* **Key Themes:** The introduction of Tirhakah's advance in this verse profoundly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**. The sudden appearance of an external threat to Sennacherib, seemingly unrelated to Judah's immediate plight, highlights God's orchestration of global events. It demonstrates that God can use diverse means—even the movements of pagan kings and the geopolitical machinations of empires—to accomplish His divine purposes, protect His covenant people, and ultimately bring glory to His name. This unexpected diversion for Sennacherib buys crucial time for Jerusalem and providentially sets the stage for God's direct, miraculous intervention. Secondly, it intensifies the theme of **The Test of Faith**. While Tirhakah's approach might initially seem like a potential source of relief for Hezekiah, Sennacherib shrewdly uses this news not as a reason to retreat, but to double down on his psychological assault against Hezekiah, sending an even more defiant and blasphemous message in [Isaiah 37:10-13](/isaiah/37-10-13 "Isaiah 37:10-13 - Sennacherib's Blasphemous Letter to Hezekiah"). This renewed pressure pushes Hezekiah to a deeper and more desperate reliance on God, culminating in his fervent and humble prayer in [Isaiah 37:14-20](/isaiah/37-14-20 "Isaiah 37:14-20 - Hezekiah's Humble and Urgent Prayer"), which ultimately serves as the catalyst for God's dramatic and miraculous deliverance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** (H8085) A primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently," often carrying the implication of attentive listening, understanding, and sometimes, obedience. In this context, Sennacherib "heard" the intelligence report concerning Tirhakah, indicating that he not only physically perceived the message but also processed and comprehended its crucial strategic implications. The repetition of "heard" within the verse (once for the initial report, again for his reaction) emphasizes the profound impact this information had on his immediate plans and subsequent actions.
* **come forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** (H3318) A primitive root meaning "to go (causatively, bring) out," encompassing a wide semantic range including appearing, departing, proceeding, or launching. Here, it vividly describes Tirhakah's active and decisive military movement, signifying his advance from his territory with hostile intent. It conveys the sense of a formidable force making a deliberate and aggressive maneuver, presenting a direct and immediate threat to Sennacherib's operations.
* **make war (Hebrew, _lâcham'_):** (H3898) A primitive root meaning "to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)." This word precisely defines the hostile and destructive intent behind Tirhakah's movement. It is not merely a diplomatic visit or a show of force, but an aggressive military confrontation aimed at engaging in battle and causing destruction. This highlights the grave nature of the news Sennacherib received and the potential for a significant, consuming conflict that would divert his resources and attention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia,"**: The opening "he" refers to Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, who is currently preoccupied with his military campaign against Judah and the siege of Jerusalem. The crucial intelligence he receives pertains to Tirhakah, explicitly identified as the powerful "king of Ethiopia" (Kush). This clause immediately introduces a new, significant geopolitical player and an external threat that enters the narrative, shifting the focus from solely Jerusalem to a broader regional conflict.
* **"He is come forth to make war with thee."**: This is the precise content of the message that Sennacherib intercepted or received. The "He" unequivocally refers to Tirhakah, and "thee" points directly to Sennacherib. The news is presented as urgent and decisive: Tirhakah has launched a military expedition with the explicit and hostile purpose of engaging Sennacherib's formidable army in battle. This immediately presents Sennacherib with a new, pressing, and potentially devastating concern that demands his strategic attention beyond the ongoing siege of Jerusalem.
* **"And when he heard [it], he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,"**: The repetition of "he heard" underscores the profound impact and strategic importance of this intelligence on Sennacherib. Rather than immediately withdrawing his forces or directly confronting Tirhakah, Sennacherib's calculated first response is to dispatch a further communication to King Hezekiah. This action reveals Sennacherib's strategic thinking: he aims to secure Jerusalem's swift surrender before he is forced to fully engage Tirhakah, or perhaps to intensify the psychological pressure on Hezekiah, thereby crushing any hope of external relief that the news of Tirhakah's advance might inspire. The subsequent message (detailed in the verses that follow) is a direct, calculated consequence of Sennacherib's receipt of this critical intelligence.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 37:9 effectively employs several literary devices to advance the narrative, heighten tension, and deepen its theological implications. **Foreshadowing** is subtly present as the news of Tirhakah's advance, while seemingly a mere military diversion, hints at the unfolding of God's larger, providential plan for Jerusalem's deliverance. It sets in motion a chain of events that will ultimately lead to Sennacherib's dramatic defeat and withdrawal. There is also a strong element of **Dramatic Irony** at play; Sennacherib hears of Tirhakah's approach and responds by sending an even more intimidating and blasphemous message to Hezekiah, believing he is asserting his absolute dominance and crushing any hope. However, from the divine perspective, this very news and Sennacherib's calculated reaction are integral parts of God's sovereign orchestration, designed not to secure Assyrian victory but to bring about the Assyrian king's downfall and to demonstrate Yahweh's supreme power and faithfulness. The abrupt shift in focus from the immediate siege of Jerusalem to an external, formidable threat also masterfully generates a palpable sense of **Suspense**, leaving the reader to wonder how this new geopolitical development will impact the besieged city and Hezekiah's ultimate fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 37:9 profoundly illustrates the intricate and often unseen workings of divine providence in human history. God, as the sovereign Lord, is not confined to the immediate battleground or the specific prayers of His people but orchestrates events on a global scale to achieve His overarching purposes. The sudden appearance of Tirhakah, a seemingly unrelated geopolitical development, serves as a strategic diversion for Sennacherib, buying crucial time for Jerusalem and providentially setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention. This demonstrates that even when His people face overwhelming odds and seemingly insurmountable enemies, God is actively working behind the scenes, using unexpected circumstances, the movements of powerful nations, and even the actions of pagan kings to protect His covenant people and uphold His divine promises. It powerfully underscores the truth that no earthly power, no matter how formidable or arrogant, can ultimately thwart the sovereign will and redemptive plan of God.

* [2 Chronicles 32:20-23](/2_chronicles/32-20-23 "2 Chronicles 32:20-23 - Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Deliverance")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God Frustrates the Plans of the Nations")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 37:9 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers navigating the daunting challenges of life. Just as King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem found themselves cornered by an seemingly invincible enemy, we too can encounter circumstances that feel overwhelming—whether personal crises, spiritual attacks, professional setbacks, or societal pressures. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even when His hand is not immediately visible or His methods are beyond our comprehension. The news of Tirhakah's advance was an unexpected, external event that dramatically shifted the dynamics of the conflict, demonstrating God's remarkable ability to use unforeseen circumstances and seemingly unrelated geopolitical developments to His advantage and for the ultimate deliverance of His people. When we encounter renewed pressures, intensified threats, or "second messages" from the enemy, much like Hezekiah did, our primary response should be to turn to God in humble and fervent prayer, trusting implicitly in His sovereign timing and His unique, often unexpected, methods of deliverance. This passage encourages us to cultivate a vision that looks beyond the immediate threat, recognizing that God's providential hand is orchestrating all events, often in ways we cannot possibly comprehend, to bring about His ultimate victory and our profound good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the unexpected news of Tirhakah's advance challenge your perception of how God works in difficult, seemingly impossible situations?**
* **In what specific ways might God be using "diversions" or external, unforeseen circumstances in your life to prepare for His timely intervention?**
* **When faced with intensified pressure or renewed attacks, like Hezekiah, what is your default response, and how can you intentionally grow in trusting God's unseen, sovereign hand?**
* **How does this historical account encourage you to pray more fervently, specifically, and persistently when confronting seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Who was Tirhakah, and why was his appearance significant in this narrative?**

Answer: Tirhakah (also known as Taharqa) was a powerful Kushite pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty of Egypt, ruling over a vast empire that included both Egypt and Nubia (Kush). His appearance in [Isaiah 37:9](/isaiah/37-9 "Isaiah 37:9 - Tirhakah's Advance") is highly significant because it introduced a major geopolitical threat to Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, who was at that moment deeply engaged in his campaign against Judah and besieging Jerusalem. The news that Tirhakah was "come forth to make war" meant Sennacherib faced the daunting prospect of a two-front war, forcing him to divide his attention and military resources. This unexpected development served as a crucial strategic diversion, buying vital time for Jerusalem and providentially setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention, as detailed later in [Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - God's Deliverance of Jerusalem").

**How does this verse demonstrate God's providential care for His people?**

Answer: Isaiah 37:9 vividly demonstrates God's providential care by showing how He orchestrates seemingly unrelated external events to protect His people and fulfill His divine purposes. The advance of Tirhakah was not a result of Hezekiah's actions or prayers, but an independent geopolitical movement. Yet, God sovereignly used this development to divert Sennacherib's immediate focus from Jerusalem. This strategic diversion gave Hezekiah the crucial opportunity to seek God's counsel through the prophet Isaiah and to pray fervently, which ultimately led to the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army in [Isaiah 37:36](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes Down the Assyrians"). It powerfully highlights that God is not limited to direct, visible interventions but can subtly influence and direct world events to bring about His desired outcome for His faithful covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The account in Isaiah 37:9, with its depiction of God's providential hand orchestrating seemingly unrelated events to protect His people from a formidable earthly enemy, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God used the unexpected advance of Tirhakah to divert Sennacherib and ultimately deliver Jerusalem from physical destruction, so too does God, in Christ, provide the ultimate and eternal deliverance from a far greater enemy: sin, death, and the spiritual forces of darkness. The Old Testament narrative of God's miraculous protection of His earthly kingdom foreshadows Christ's establishment of His eternal spiritual kingdom, the Church, against which "the gates of Hades shall not prevail" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")). Jesus, the true King and greater Hezekiah, faced the ultimate spiritual warfare, not by sending messengers to an earthly foe, but by confronting the enemy directly on the cross. His decisive victory there disarmed "principalities and powers" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), securing a deliverance infinitely more profound and eternal than the physical rescue of Jerusalem. Through His eternal intercession as our High Priest ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")) and His sovereign reign as King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), Christ continually protects His people, orchestrating all things—even the seemingly random events of history—for their ultimate good and for the glory of His name, ensuring that no enemy, visible or invisible, can ultimately snatch them from His secure and loving hand ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - No One Can Snatch Them Out of My Hand")).

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

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.