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Isaiah 37:35

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

For I will defend {H1598} this city {H5892} to save {H3467} it for mine own sake, and for my servant {H5650} David's {H1732} sake.

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

‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”

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

Commentary

Context

Isaiah 37:35 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of King Hezekiah and the Assyrian invasion of Judah, around 701 BC. King Sennacherib of Assyria had conquered many cities and was threatening Jerusalem, demanding its surrender. King Hezekiah, facing an overwhelming military force and a blasphemous letter from Sennacherib, turned to the Lord in earnest prayer, laying the letter before God in the temple (Isaiah 37:14-20). In response, the prophet Isaiah delivered God's message of assurance and imminent deliverance. This verse encapsulates God's direct and powerful promise to protect Jerusalem, not based on Judah's merit, but on His divine character and previous commitments.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Deliverance: The verse is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign power to intervene and save. Despite the overwhelming Assyrian threat, God explicitly states, "I will defend this city to save it," demonstrating His ability to bring deliverance against all odds. This was a direct answer to Hezekiah's plea for God to show His power to all nations.
  • God's Glory and Reputation: The phrase "for mine own sake" highlights that God's primary motivation for acting is the vindication of His holy name and character. In the face of Sennacherib's taunts against the God of Israel, the Lord would demonstrate His uniqueness and supremacy among all gods, ensuring His glory was upheld before the nations.
  • Faithfulness to Covenant: The addition "and for my servant David's sake" underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:16). God had promised David an enduring dynasty and the perpetual security of Jerusalem as the city of David. This promise was unconditional, and God acted to uphold His word, demonstrating His steadfast love and covenant loyalty across generations.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated phrase "for mine own sake" (Hebrew: לְמַעֲנִי, lema'ani) and "for my servant David's sake" (לְמַעַן דָּוִד עַבְדִּי, lema'an Dawid 'avdi) is crucial. The word "sake" here conveys the idea of acting for the benefit, honor, or reputation of someone. It emphasizes that God's motivation for defending Jerusalem was not due to the city's righteousness or Hezekiah's perfect faith, but rather rooted in God's intrinsic character—His holiness, His glory, and His unchangeable promises. This highlights divine grace and sovereignty in deliverance.

Related Scriptures

  • The miraculous fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in Isaiah 37:36, where the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.
  • Similar expressions of God acting for His own name's sake can be found in Ezekiel 36:22-23, emphasizing God's zeal for His reputation among the nations.
  • The Davidic Covenant, foundational to this verse, is detailed in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 and celebrated in psalms like Psalm 89:3-4.

Practical Application

Isaiah 37:35 offers profound encouragement and timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that even when circumstances appear insurmountable and human efforts are insufficient, God's sovereign power and faithfulness remain steadfast. We can trust that God acts not only for our benefit but ultimately for His own glory and to uphold His promises. This verse encourages us to turn to God in prayer during times of crisis, just as King Hezekiah did, knowing that our God is able to deliver and that His purposes will prevail. It fosters confidence in God's ability to protect His people and fulfill His word, even when the world around us seems to be collapsing.

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

  • Isaiah 38:6 (10 votes)

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

  • 2 Kings 20:6 (10 votes)

    And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

  • Isaiah 31:5 (9 votes)

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

  • Ephesians 1:14 (7 votes)

    Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

  • Jeremiah 23:5 (7 votes)

    Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

  • Jeremiah 23:6 (7 votes)

    In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

  • Jeremiah 33:15 (7 votes)

    In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.