Isaiah 36:20
Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?
Original Language Analysis
מִ֗י
H4310
מִ֗י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 16
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
Who are they among all the gods
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
Who are they among all the gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַצִּ֧יל
should deliver
H5337
יַצִּ֧יל
should deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
7 of 16
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִיָּדִֽי׃
out of my hand
H3027
מִיָּדִֽי׃
out of my hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יַצִּ֧יל
should deliver
H5337
יַצִּ֧יל
should deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
12 of 16
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
יְהוָ֛ה
that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
This speech represents the pinnacle of Assyrian hubris. Sennacherib's own annals boast of conquering lands "by the might of Ashur my lord," attributing success to Assyrian deities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God respond when His name is blasphemed and His power challenged?
- What does Assyrian arrogance teach about the self-destructive nature of pride?
- How should we respond when God's reputation is attacked by mockers?
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Analysis & Commentary
The ultimate blasphemy: "Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem?" This rhetorical question places YHWH in the same category as demonstrably powerless false gods. Rabshakeh's arrogance assumes Assyrian power supersedes all divine authority. This echoes Satan's primal rebellion—the creature exalting himself above the Creator. The question sets up God's dramatic intervention to demonstrate His incomparable power.