Isaiah 37:17
Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.
Original Language Analysis
הַטֵּ֨ה
Incline
H5186
הַטֵּ֨ה
Incline
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
1 of 18
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
יְהוָ֛ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אָזְנְךָ֙
thine ear
H241
אָזְנְךָ֙
thine ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
3 of 18
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וּשְׁמַ֗ע
and hear
H8085
וּשְׁמַ֗ע
and hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
פְּקַ֧ח
open
H6491
פְּקַ֧ח
open
Strong's:
H6491
Word #:
5 of 18
to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant
יְהוָ֛ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֵינֶ֖ךָ
thine eyes
H5869
עֵינֶ֖ךָ
thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּרְאֵ֑ה
and see
H7200
וּרְאֵ֑ה
and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
8 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וּשְׁמַ֗ע
and hear
H8085
וּשְׁמַ֗ע
and hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
9 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דִּבְרֵ֣י
all the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
all the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
12 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁלַ֔ח
which hath sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֔ח
which hath sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
15 of 18
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לְחָרֵ֖ף
to reproach
H2778
לְחָרֵ֖ף
to reproach
Strong's:
H2778
Word #:
16 of 18
to pull off, i.e., (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e., defame;
Cross References
2 Chronicles 6:40Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.Psalms 17:6I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.Isaiah 37:4It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.Psalms 74:22Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.1 Peter 3:12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Historical Context
Repetition in Hebrew poetry and prayer emphasizes importance and intensity of feeling. Hezekiah's urgent repetition shows genuine distress alongside confident faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we be completely honest with God about how bad our circumstances feel?
- What does it mean to present our enemies' full accusations to God without minimizing them?
- How does expressing intensity and urgency in prayer demonstrate faith rather than doubt?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The repeated "Incline thine ear...open thine eyes" emphasizes urgency and intensity. The additional "O LORD" is personal appeal to covenant relationship. "Hear all the words of Sennacherib" asks God to pay attention to every blasphemy. Hezekiah doesn't minimize or sanitize the enemy's words but lays them fully before God. This honest presentation of the threat demonstrates faith that God can handle the full truth of the situation. The prayer teaches that we don't need to make things sound better to get God's attention.