Isaiah 37:18
Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֑ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הֶחֱרִ֜יבוּ
have laid waste
H2717
הֶחֱרִ֜יבוּ
have laid waste
Strong's:
H2717
Word #:
3 of 10
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
אַשּׁ֛וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֛וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
5 of 10
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 10
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 #:
7 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אַרְצָֽם׃
all the nations
H776
אַרְצָֽם׃
all the nations
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
8 of 10
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Cross References
2 Kings 15:29In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.1 Chronicles 5:26And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.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 17:24And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.2 Kings 16:9And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
Historical Context
Assyrian military success was undeniable historical fact. Hezekiah doesn't try to minimize Assyria's real accomplishments, making his faith more impressive.
Questions for Reflection
- How does honest acknowledgment of difficulties demonstrate mature faith rather than weak faith?
- Why is it important not to minimize real threats when bringing them to God?
- What is the difference between faith and denial of reality?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The acknowledgment "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations" is remarkably honest—Hezekiah admits Sennacherib's claims are factually accurate. This confession shows mature faith doesn't require denying reality or pretending circumstances aren't dire. Recognizing the enemy's genuine power makes the subsequent trust in God's greater power more meaningful. Faith built on illusion isn't faith; faith built on acknowledging hard truth but trusting God anyway is genuine.