Isaiah 37:12
Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Telassar?
Original Language Analysis
הַהִצִּ֨ילוּ
delivered
H5337
הַהִצִּ֨ילוּ
delivered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
1 of 16
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אוֹתָ֜ם
H853
אוֹתָ֜ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
Have the gods
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
Have 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
הַגּוֹיִם֙
of the nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִם֙
of the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
4 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִשְׁחִ֣יתוּ
have destroyed
H7843
הִשְׁחִ֣יתוּ
have destroyed
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
6 of 16
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
אֲבוֹתַ֔י
them which my fathers
H1
אֲבוֹתַ֔י
them which my fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
7 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
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)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבְנֵי
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵי
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Genesis 11:31And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.Acts 7:2And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,2 Kings 18:11And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:2 Kings 17:6In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.2 Kings 19:12Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar?
Historical Context
These were real historical conquests. Gozan was in Upper Mesopotamia, Haran in northwest Mesopotamia, Rezeph in Syria. Eden (Beth-eden) and Telassar were Aramean territories.
Questions for Reflection
- How does multiplying examples of difficulty sometimes overwhelm faith rather than building it?
- What is the fundamental difference between asking false gods for help versus the living God?
- How do we maintain hope when facing accumulated evidence of human defeat?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The recitation of conquered peoples—"Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, Eden, Telassar"—aims to overwhelm hope through accumulated evidence. The question "Have the gods of the nations delivered them?" again equates YHWH with powerless idols. Sennacherib fundamentally misunderstands that false gods have no existence (1 Corinthians 8:4), while YHWH is the living God who acts in history. The litany of failures proves nothing about what the true God will do.