Isaiah 37:24
By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel.
Original Language Analysis
בְּיַ֣ד
By
H3027
בְּיַ֣ד
By
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
1 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
חֵרַ֣פְתָּ׀
hast thou reproached
H2778
חֵרַ֣פְתָּ׀
hast thou reproached
Strong's:
H2778
Word #:
3 of 23
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;
רִכְבִּ֛י
of my chariots
H7393
רִכְבִּ֛י
of my chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
7 of 23
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
עָלִ֛יתִי
am I come up
H5927
עָלִ֛יתִי
am I come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
9 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מְר֣וֹם
into the height
H4791
מְר֣וֹם
into the height
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
10 of 23
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
הָרִ֖ים
of the mountains
H2022
הָרִ֖ים
of the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
11 of 23
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יַרְכְּתֵ֣י
to the sides
H3411
יַרְכְּתֵ֣י
to the sides
Strong's:
H3411
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess
וְאֶכְרֹ֞ת
and I will cut down
H3772
וְאֶכְרֹ֞ת
and I will cut down
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
14 of 23
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בְּרֹשָׁ֔יו
fir trees
H1265
בְּרֹשָׁ֔יו
fir trees
Strong's:
H1265
Word #:
18 of 23
a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)
וְאָבוֹא֙
thereof and I will enter
H935
וְאָבוֹא֙
thereof and I will enter
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
19 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מְר֣וֹם
into the height
H4791
מְר֣וֹם
into the height
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
20 of 23
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
קִצּ֔וֹ
of his border
H7093
קִצּ֔וֹ
of his border
Strong's:
H7093
Word #:
21 of 23
an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
Cross References
Historical Context
Assyrian annals do boast of such accomplishments—mountain fortresses conquered, forests harvested for building projects. Sennacherib's inscriptions confirm his prideful self-promotion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God observe and remember human pride and boasting?
- What does Assyrian confidence in military achievement teach about misplaced trust?
- How do we guard against pride in our own accomplishments and abilities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God quotes Sennacherib's boasting: "By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord" shows the blasphemy came through Rabshakeh. The boasts about chariots, conquering mountain heights, and cutting down cedars of Lebanon demonstrate Assyrian pride in military and engineering achievements. "I will enter into the height of his border" claims access to inaccessible places. The "forest of his Carmel" refers to choice territory. God demonstrates He heard every arrogant word, and pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18).