Isaiah 38:6

And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.

And I will deliver {H5337} thee and this city {H5892} out of the hand {H3709} of the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}: and I will defend {H1598} this city {H5892}.

Also I will rescue you and this city from the power of the king of Ashur; I will defend this city.

And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city.

Commentary

Context

Isaiah 38:6 is a pivotal promise given to King Hezekiah of Judah, delivered through the prophet Isaiah. This verse immediately follows God's miraculous response to Hezekiah's desperate prayer for healing when he was facing a fatal illness. God, moved by Hezekiah's tears and righteousness, not only promised to add fifteen years to his life but also reaffirmed His commitment to protect Jerusalem. At this time, Judah was under immense threat from the formidable Assyrian Empire, led by King Sennacherib, who had already conquered many cities in the region and was poised against Jerusalem. This promise of deliverance from Assyria was a crucial part of God's comprehensive answer to Hezekiah, demonstrating God's sovereign power over both life and national security.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The verse highlights God's direct and active intervention to save His people. It's a clear declaration of God's intention to rescue Jerusalem from an overwhelming military power, showcasing His might over human armies.
  • God's Faithfulness: This promise underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, especially to protect the city of Jerusalem and the Davidic line. Hezekiah's life and the city's safety were intertwined in God's divine plan.
  • Sovereignty over Nations: Even the most powerful empire of the ancient world, Assyria, was no match for God's will. This verse asserts God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations and their leaders.
  • Answered Prayer: The deliverance of Jerusalem is presented as an integral part of God's response to Hezekiah's fervent prayer, demonstrating that God hears and acts upon the sincere cries of His people.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses two key verbs: "deliver" and "defend."

  • "Deliver" comes from the Hebrew word נצל (natsal), which means to snatch away, rescue, or pull out. It implies an urgent and powerful act of salvation, pulling someone or something out of danger.
  • "Defend" is from the Hebrew word Χ’ΧŸ (ganan), meaning to cover, surround, or protect. This word evokes the image of a shield or a guardian, emphasizing God's role as a protector who stands guard over His city.

Together, these words paint a picture of God as both an active rescuer who intervenes in crisis and a steadfast guardian who provides ongoing protection.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 38:6 offers profound comfort and encouragement:

  • Trust in God's Protection: Just as God protected Jerusalem from the mighty Assyrians, He remains a powerful defender for His people against all odds. When facing overwhelming challenges, whether personal or collective, we can trust in His ability to deliver and defend. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
  • The Power of Prayer: This verse reminds us that God hears and responds to prayer. Hezekiah's situation, both his illness and the national threat, demonstrates that God's intervention is often tied to the earnest prayers of His servants.
  • God's Faithfulness Endures: The promise to Hezekiah was specific, but the principle of God's faithfulness is eternal. We can rely on His character and His promises in every generation.
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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 37:35

    For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

  • Isaiah 31:4

    For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, [he] will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

  • Isaiah 31:5

    As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver [it; and] passing over he will preserve it.

  • 2 Timothy 4:17

    Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

  • Isaiah 12:6

    Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:22

    Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all [other], and guided them on every side.
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