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Isaiah 37:21

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¶ Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:

Then Isaiah {H3470} the son {H1121} of Amoz {H531} sent {H7971} unto Hezekiah {H2396}, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, Whereas thou hast prayed {H6419} to me against Sennacherib {H5576} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}:

Then Yesha'yahu the son of Amotz sent this message to Hizkiyahu: "ADONAI the God of Isra'el says: 'You prayed to me against Sancheriv king of Ashur.'

Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you have prayed to Me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria,

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria,

Commentary

Isaiah 37:21 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Hezekiah's reign, directly following his desperate prayer to the Lord amidst the overwhelming threat of the Assyrian army.

Context

At this point in Judah's history, King Sennacherib of Assyria had already conquered many fortified cities and was poised to capture Jerusalem, the capital. Sennacherib had sent a blasphemous message to Hezekiah, challenging the power of the God of Israel and urging surrender. In response, Hezekiah, demonstrating profound faith, took the threatening letter into the Temple and spread it before the Lord, pouring out his heart in a fervent prayer for deliverance (Isaiah 37:15-20). Verse 21 introduces God's immediate and direct answer to that prayer, delivered through the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz. This sets the stage for one of the most dramatic acts of divine intervention recorded in the Old Testament, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant people even in dire circumstances.

Key Themes

  • The Efficacy of Prayer: This verse powerfully illustrates that God hears and responds to the earnest prayers of His people. Hezekiah's prayer was not in vain; God's reply came swiftly and decisively. This underscores the biblical principle that God is attentive to those who call upon Him.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: Despite the immense power of the Assyrian Empire and its formidable king, Sennacherib, God declares His ultimate authority. The response through Isaiah emphasizes that no earthly power can thwart His plans or overcome His people when they trust in Him.
  • Divine Protection and Deliverance: The verse initiates God's promise to actively intervene and protect Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. It assures Hezekiah, and by extension Judah, that God Himself will fight on their behalf, leading to a miraculous deliverance as seen in Isaiah 37:36.
  • Prophetic Authority: Isaiah acts as God's direct messenger, validating the divine source of the message with the phrase, "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel," a common prophetic formula reinforcing the truth and certainty of the coming deliverance.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel" is a powerful declaration, emphasizing that the message is not Isaiah's own opinion but a direct word from YHWH (the personal covenant name of God) who is also the "God of Israel." This specific title underscores His unique relationship with His chosen people and His commitment to them.

Practical Application

Isaiah 37:21 offers tremendous encouragement for believers facing overwhelming challenges today. It reminds us that:

  • Prayer is Powerful: When we are confronted with seemingly insurmountable problems, our first and most effective recourse is to turn to God in earnest prayer, just as Hezekiah did.
  • God Hears: We can have confidence that God is not distant but actively listens to the cries of His children.
  • God Intervenes: Even in situations where human solutions are exhausted, God has the power to intervene miraculously and bring about deliverance according to His will.
This verse serves as a timeless testament to God's readiness to answer the prayers of the faithful and to demonstrate His protective power over His people.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Acts 4:31 (2 votes)

    And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

  • Daniel 9:20 (2 votes)

    ¶ And whiles I [was] speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

  • Daniel 9:23 (2 votes)

    At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

  • 2 Samuel 15:31 (2 votes)

    ¶ And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

  • Psalms 91:15 (2 votes)

    He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

  • Job 22:27 (2 votes)

    Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.

  • Isaiah 37:2 (2 votes)

    And he sent Eliakim, who [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.