King James Version

What Does Isaiah 36:1 Mean?

Isaiah 36:1 in the King James Version says “Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the de... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

Isaiah 36:1 · KJV


Context

1

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

2

And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

3

Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder. scribe: or, secretary


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This historical crisis introduces the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem under Hezekiah, testing faith in God's promises to protect Zion. The synchronization with Hezekiah's fourteenth year (701 BC) confirms biblical chronology and demonstrates God's sovereignty over pagan empires. The Rabshakeh's propaganda campaign foreshadows Satan's tactics of undermining trust in God's Word through logical-sounding arguments.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The invasion occurred in 701 BC when Sennacherib conquered 46 Judean cities (as confirmed by the Taylor Prism). This was Isaiah's prophetic ministry culminating in tangible deliverance, vindicating his decades of warnings and promises.

Reflection Questions

  1. When faced with overwhelming circumstances, do you trust God's promises more than visible evidence?
  2. How can you recognize and resist the enemy's strategy of attacking God's character and reliability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיְהִ֡י1 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּאַרְבַּע֩2 of 16

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth

H702

four

עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה3 of 16
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֜ה4 of 16

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מֶֽלֶךְ5 of 16

king

H4428

a king

חִזְקִיָּ֗הוּ6 of 16

Hezekiah

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

עָלָ֞ה7 of 16

came up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

סַנְחֵרִ֤יב8 of 16

that Sennacherib

H5576

sancherib, an assyrian king

מֶֽלֶךְ9 of 16

king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁוּר֙10 of 16

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

עַ֣ל11 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל12 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עָרֵ֧י13 of 16

cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֛ה14 of 16

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הַבְּצֻר֖וֹת15 of 16

against all the defenced

H1219

to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)

וַֽיִּתְפְּשֵֽׂם׃16 of 16

and took

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 36:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 36:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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