Isaiah 37:29

Authorized King James Version

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Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Original Language Analysis

יַ֚עַן H3282
יַ֚עַן
Strong's: H3282
Word #: 1 of 16
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ֣ Because thy rage H7264
הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ֣ Because thy rage
Strong's: H7264
Word #: 2 of 16
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
אֵלַ֔י H413
אֵלַ֔י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
וְשַׁאֲנַנְךָ֖ against me and thy tumult H7600
וְשַׁאֲנַנְךָ֖ against me and thy tumult
Strong's: H7600
Word #: 4 of 16
secure; in a bad sense, haughty
עָלָ֣ה is come up H5927
עָלָ֣ה is come up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 5 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְאָזְנָ֑י into mine ears H241
בְאָזְנָ֑י into mine ears
Strong's: H241
Word #: 6 of 16
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י therefore will I put H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י therefore will I put
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 7 of 16
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
חַחִ֜י my hook H2397
חַחִ֜י my hook
Strong's: H2397
Word #: 8 of 16
a ring for the nose (or lips)
בְּאַפֶּ֗ךָ in thy nose H639
בְּאַפֶּ֗ךָ in thy nose
Strong's: H639
Word #: 9 of 16
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וּמִתְגִּי֙ and my bridle H4964
וּמִתְגִּי֙ and my bridle
Strong's: H4964
Word #: 10 of 16
a bit
בִּשְׂפָתֶ֔יךָ in thy lips H8193
בִּשְׂפָתֶ֔יךָ in thy lips
Strong's: H8193
Word #: 11 of 16
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
וַהֲשִׁ֣יבֹתִ֔יךָ and I will turn thee back H7725
וַהֲשִׁ֣יבֹתִ֔יךָ and I will turn thee back
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 12 of 16
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ by the way H1870
בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ by the way
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 13 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 14 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּ֥אתָ by which thou camest H935
בָּ֥אתָ by which thou camest
Strong's: H935
Word #: 15 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בָּֽהּ׃ H0
בָּֽהּ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 16 of 16

Analysis & Commentary

The judgment imagery "I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips" depicts Sennacherib as a wild animal God will control. Ancient Near Eastern conquerors led captives with hooks and bridles, humiliating them. God will do to Assyria what Assyria did to others. "I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest" promises forced retreat without conquering Jerusalem. The punishment fits the crime—proud Assyria will be humiliated and controlled like a beast.

Historical Context

Assyrian art depicts conquered enemies led by nose rings and ropes, demonstrating dominance. God promises to treat Sennacherib the way he treated others.

Questions for Reflection

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