King James Version

What Does Isaiah 36:16 Mean?

Isaiah 36:16 in the King James Version says “Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me:... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern; Make: or, Seek my favour by a present: Heb. Make with me a blessing

Isaiah 36:16 · KJV


Context

14

Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.

15

Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.

16

Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern; Make: or, Seek my favour by a present: Heb. Make with me a blessing

17

Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.

18

Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The offer of 'a land like your own land' is a satanic counterfeit of God's promises - a substitute blessing that requires surrender and compromise. This echoes the serpent's offer in Eden and foreshadows the Antichrist's false peace. The enemy always offers immediate comfort at the cost of ultimate blessing. True faith endures present difficulty for future glory (Romans 8:18).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian resettlement policy (documented in royal annals) involved deportation to similar climates to ensure agricultural productivity and prevent rebellion through cultural displacement.

Reflection Questions

  1. What counterfeits of God's promises tempt you to compromise your faith?
  2. How can you distinguish between legitimate provision and satanic substitutes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
אַֽל1 of 23
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׁמְע֖וּ2 of 23

Hearken

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶל3 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ4 of 23

not to Hezekiah

H2396

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

כִּי֩5 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֨ה6 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֜ר7 of 23

for thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ8 of 23

the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֗וּר9 of 23

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

עֲשֽׂוּ10 of 23

Make

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אִתִּ֤י11 of 23
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בְרָכָה֙12 of 23

an agreement with me by a present

H1293

benediction; by implication prosperity

וּצְא֣וּ13 of 23

and come out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֵלַ֔י14 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְאִכְל֤וּ15 of 23

to me and eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אִ֥ישׁ16 of 23

and every one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

גַּפְנוֹ֙17 of 23

of his vine

H1612

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

אִ֥ישׁ18 of 23

and every one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

תְּאֵנָת֔וֹ19 of 23

of his fig tree

H8384

the fig (tree or fruit)

וּשְׁת֖וּ20 of 23

and drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

אִ֥ישׁ21 of 23

and every one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מֵי22 of 23

the waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

בוֹרֽוֹ׃23 of 23

of his own cistern

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)


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 36:16 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 36:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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