Isaiah 37:4

Authorized King James Version

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It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.

Original Language Analysis

אוּלַ֡י H194
אוּלַ֡י
Strong's: H194
Word #: 1 of 26
if not; hence perhaps
שָׁמַ֖ע hath heard H8085
שָׁמַ֖ע hath heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 2 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה It may be the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה It may be the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 4 of 26
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
אֵ֣ת׀ H853
אֵ֣ת׀
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים the words H1697
בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים the words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 6 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה of Rabshakeh H7262
רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה of Rabshakeh
Strong's: H7262
Word #: 7 of 26
rabshakeh, a babylonian official
אֲשֶׁר֩ H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's: H834
Word #: 8 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שְׁלָח֨וֹ hath sent H7971
שְׁלָח֨וֹ hath sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 9 of 26
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מֶֽלֶךְ whom the king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ whom the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 10 of 26
a king
אַשּׁ֤וּר׀ of Assyria H804
אַשּׁ֤וּר׀ of Assyria
Strong's: H804
Word #: 11 of 26
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
אֲדֹנָיו֙ his master H113
אֲדֹנָיו֙ his master
Strong's: H113
Word #: 12 of 26
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
לְחָרֵף֙ to reproach H2778
לְחָרֵף֙ to reproach
Strong's: H2778
Word #: 13 of 26
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;
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 14 of 26
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
חַ֔י the living H2416
חַ֔י the living
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 15 of 26
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְהוֹכִ֙יחַ֙ and will reprove H3198
וְהוֹכִ֙יחַ֙ and will reprove
Strong's: H3198
Word #: 16 of 26
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים the words H1697
בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים the words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 17 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 18 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁמַ֖ע hath heard H8085
שָׁמַ֖ע hath heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 19 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה It may be the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה It may be the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 20 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 21 of 26
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
וְנָשָׂ֣אתָ wherefore lift up H5375
וְנָשָׂ֣אתָ wherefore lift up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 22 of 26
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
תְפִלָּ֔ה thy prayer H8605
תְפִלָּ֔ה thy prayer
Strong's: H8605
Word #: 23 of 26
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
בְּעַ֥ד H1157
בְּעַ֥ד
Strong's: H1157
Word #: 24 of 26
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
הַשְּׁאֵרִ֖ית for the remnant H7611
הַשְּׁאֵרִ֖ית for the remnant
Strong's: H7611
Word #: 25 of 26
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
הַנִּמְצָאָֽה׃ that is left H4672
הַנִּמְצָאָֽה׃ that is left
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 26 of 26
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

Analysis & Commentary

Hezekiah's request "lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left" demonstrates humility—the king asks the prophet to intercede rather than relying solely on his own prayers. The hope that "the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh" and "reprove" him shows faith that God has heard the blasphemy and will vindicate His name. The "remnant" concept is crucial—God preserves a faithful few through judgment. Hezekiah identifies Judah as this remnant, trusting God's covenant promises to preserve His people.

Historical Context

After Sennacherib conquered 46 fortified cities in Judah, only Jerusalem and a few cities remained—literally a remnant. This desperate situation sets up God's dramatic rescue.

Questions for Reflection

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