Isaiah 37:23

Authorized King James Version

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Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

Original Language Analysis

אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִ֤י H4310
מִ֤י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 2 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
חֵרַ֙פְתָּ֙ Whom hast thou reproached H2778
חֵרַ֙פְתָּ֙ Whom hast thou reproached
Strong's: H2778
Word #: 3 of 14
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;
וְגִדַּ֔פְתָּ and blasphemed H1442
וְגִדַּ֔פְתָּ and blasphemed
Strong's: H1442
Word #: 4 of 14
to hack (with words), i.e., revile
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִ֖י H4310
מִ֖י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 6 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
הֲרִימ֣וֹתָה and against whom hast thou exalted H7311
הֲרִימ֣וֹתָה and against whom hast thou exalted
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 7 of 14
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
קּ֑וֹל thy voice H6963
קּ֑וֹל thy voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 8 of 14
a voice or sound
וַתִּשָּׂ֥א and lifted up H5375
וַתִּשָּׂ֥א and lifted up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 9 of 14
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מָר֛וֹם on high H4791
מָר֛וֹם on high
Strong's: H4791
Word #: 10 of 14
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
עֵינֶ֖יךָ thine eyes H5869
עֵינֶ֖יךָ thine eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 11 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 12 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
קְד֥וֹשׁ even against the Holy One H6918
קְד֥וֹשׁ even against the Holy One
Strong's: H6918
Word #: 13 of 14
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 14 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

God's rhetorical questions "Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed?" make Sennacherib's true offense explicit—his insults targeted not merely Judah but "the Holy One of Israel." The phrase "exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high" depicts arrogant presumption. Assyria's pride consisted of not recognizing the difference between conquering pagan nations and challenging YHWH. God will not allow His holy name to be equated with powerless idols. The offense demands divine response to vindicate God's uniqueness.

Historical Context

The title "Holy One of Israel" is distinctly Isaianic, appearing 25 times in his prophecy. It emphasizes God's transcendent holiness and covenant relationship.

Questions for Reflection

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