Isaiah 37:9
And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַע֙
And he heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַע֙
And he heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָצָ֖א
He is come forth
H3318
יָצָ֖א
He is come forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
7 of 15
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אִתָּ֑ךְ
H854
אִתָּ֑ךְ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַיִּשְׁמַע֙
And he heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַע֙
And he heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
10 of 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
it he sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
it he sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
11 of 15
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מַלְאָכִ֔ים
messengers
H4397
מַלְאָכִ֔ים
messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
12 of 15
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
Historical Context
Tirhakah was a Kushite pharaoh who ruled Egypt's 25th Dynasty. His military movements threatened Assyrian western campaigns, creating strategic complications for Sennacherib.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use natural circumstances and geopolitical events to accomplish His purposes?
- What does divine sovereignty through secondary causes teach about God's comprehensive providence?
- How should we view "coincidental" timing of events that deliver us from difficulty?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The report about Tirhakah king of Ethiopia/Cush coming to fight disrupts Sennacherib's plans. God uses secondary causes—in this case, geopolitical competition—to accomplish His purposes. The text says Sennacherib "sent messengers again" to Hezekiah, showing that military pressure from another front motivated renewed attempts to secure Jerusalem's surrender quickly. God sovereignly orchestrates international events to deliver His people, often through natural means rather than only miraculous intervention.