Isaiah 37:38
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִי֩
H1961
וַיְהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ה֨וּא
H1931
ה֨וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֜ה
And it came to pass as he was worshipping
H7812
מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֜ה
And it came to pass as he was worshipping
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
3 of 20
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
בֵּ֣ית׀
in the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית׀
in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֱלֹהָ֗יו
his god
H430
אֱלֹהָ֗יו
his god
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 20
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
וְֽאַדְרַמֶּ֨לֶךְ
that Adrammelech
H152
וְֽאַדְרַמֶּ֨לֶךְ
that Adrammelech
Strong's:
H152
Word #:
7 of 20
adrammelek, the name of an assyrian idol, also of a son of sennacherib
וְשַׂרְאֶ֤צֶר
and Sharezer
H8272
וְשַׂרְאֶ֤צֶר
and Sharezer
Strong's:
H8272
Word #:
8 of 20
sharetser, the name of an assyrian and an israelite
בְּנ֖וֹ
his son
H1121
בְּנ֖וֹ
his son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הִכֻּ֣הוּ
smote
H5221
הִכֻּ֣הוּ
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 20
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בַחֶ֔רֶב
him with the sword
H2719
בַחֶ֔רֶב
him with the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
11 of 20
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
נִמְלְט֖וּ
and they escaped
H4422
נִמְלְט֖וּ
and they escaped
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ
reigned
H4427
וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ
reigned
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
16 of 20
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
Cross References
Genesis 8:4And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.Jeremiah 51:27Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.Ezra 4:2Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
Historical Context
Assyrian records confirm Sennacherib's assassination in 681 BC, twenty years after the Jerusalem campaign. Esarhaddon's inscriptions mention putting down a rebellion, likely by his brothers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does precise fulfillment of prophecy demonstrate God's control over history?
- What does judgment finding Sennacherib even in his god's temple teach about the inability to escape God?
- How should fulfilled prophecy strengthen our confidence in unfulfilled biblical promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The final judgment "as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god" shows ironic timing—Sennacherib is killed while honoring the deity that couldn't protect him. "Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword" fulfills God's prophecy (verse 7) precisely. Assassination by his own sons demonstrates that fleeing God's judgment provides no safety. "Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead" shows dynastic instability. The detailed fulfillment validates Isaiah's prophetic authority and God's sovereign control over history.