King James Version

What Does Isaiah 36:20 Mean?

Isaiah 36:20 in the King James Version says “Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deli... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

Isaiah 36:20 · KJV


Context

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?

19

Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?

20

Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

21

But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

22

Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The ultimate blasphemy: "Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem?" This rhetorical question places YHWH in the same category as demonstrably powerless false gods. Rabshakeh's arrogance assumes Assyrian power supersedes all divine authority. This echoes Satan's primal rebellion—the creature exalting himself above the Creator. The question sets up God's dramatic intervention to demonstrate His incomparable power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This speech represents the pinnacle of Assyrian hubris. Sennacherib's own annals boast of conquering lands "by the might of Ashur my lord," attributing success to Assyrian deities.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God respond when His name is blasphemed and His power challenged?
  2. What does Assyrian arrogance teach about the self-destructive nature of pride?
  3. How should we respond when God's reputation is attacked by mockers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
מִ֗י1 of 16
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בְּכָל2 of 16
H3605

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

אֱלֹהֵ֤י3 of 16

Who are they among all the gods

H430

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

אַרְצָ֖ם4 of 16

of these lands

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הָאֵ֔לֶּה5 of 16
H428

these or those

אֲשֶׁר6 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יַצִּ֧יל7 of 16

should deliver

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

אֶת8 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַרְצָ֖ם9 of 16

of these lands

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִיָּדִֽי׃10 of 16

out of my hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כִּֽי11 of 16
H3588

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

יַצִּ֧יל12 of 16

should deliver

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

יְהוָ֛ה13 of 16

that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת14 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם15 of 16

Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

מִיָּדִֽי׃16 of 16

out of my hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


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 36:20 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 36:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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