Isaiah 36:7

Authorized King James Version

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But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?

Original Language Analysis

וְכִי H3588
וְכִי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר But if thou say H559
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר But if thou say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 23
to say (used with great latitude)
אֵלַ֔י H413
אֵלַ֔י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 23
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 23
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוָ֥ה in the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה in the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ our God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ our God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 23
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
בָּטָ֑חְנוּ to me We trust H982
בָּטָ֑חְנוּ to me We trust
Strong's: H982
Word #: 7 of 23
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
הֲלוֹא H3808
הֲלוֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 8 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ה֗וּא H1931
ה֗וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 9 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֵסִ֤יר hath taken away H5493
הֵסִ֤יר hath taken away
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 11 of 23
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ Hezekiah H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ Hezekiah
Strong's: H2396
Word #: 12 of 23
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 13 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּמֹתָ֣יו is it not he whose high places H1116
בָּמֹתָ֣יו is it not he whose high places
Strong's: H1116
Word #: 14 of 23
an elevation
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ and whose altars H4196
הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ and whose altars
Strong's: H4196
Word #: 16 of 23
an altar
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר But if thou say H559
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר But if thou say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 17 of 23
to say (used with great latitude)
לִֽיהוּדָה֙ to Judah H3063
לִֽיהוּדָה֙ to Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 18 of 23
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְלִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם and to Jerusalem H3389
וְלִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם and to Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 19 of 23
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
לִפְנֵ֛י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֛י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 20 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ and whose altars H4196
הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ and whose altars
Strong's: H4196
Word #: 21 of 23
an altar
הַזֶּ֖ה H2088
הַזֶּ֖ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 22 of 23
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
תִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ׃ Ye shall worship H7812
תִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ׃ Ye shall worship
Strong's: H7812
Word #: 23 of 23
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

Analysis & Commentary

The accusation that Hezekiah removed the high places (actually an act of faithfulness) is twisted into evidence of God's displeasure. This demonstrates how reforming obedience can be misrepresented as rebellion. The enemy always attempts to redefine righteousness as sin and faithfulness as folly. Hezekiah's reforms (2 Kings 18:4) were covenant faithfulness, not presumption.

Historical Context

Hezekiah's reformation included destroying the bronze serpent Moses made, showing that even God-ordained symbols can become idols. His centralization of worship in Jerusalem followed Deuteronomic law.

Questions for Reflection

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