Isaiah 37:21

Authorized King James Version

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁלַח֙
sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
יְשַֽׁעְיָ֣הוּ
Then Isaiah
jeshajah, the name of seven israelites
#3
בֶן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
אָמ֔וֹץ
of Amoz
amots, an israelite
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ
unto Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#7
אָמַ֤ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
כֹּֽה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#9
אָמַ֤ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
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
#12
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#13
אֲשֶׁר֙
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
הִתְפַּלַּ֣לְתָּ
Whereas thou hast prayed
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
#15
אֵלַ֔י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#17
סַנְחֵרִ֖יב
to me against Sennacherib
sancherib, an assyrian king
#18
מֶ֥לֶךְ
king
a king
#19
אַשּֽׁוּר׃
of Assyria
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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