King James Version

What Does Isaiah 37:22 Mean?

Isaiah 37:22 in the King James Version says “This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and la...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.”

Isaiah 37:22 · KJV

Context

20

Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.

21

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:

22

This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

23

Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

24

By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel. By thy: Heb. By the hand of thy servants the tall: Heb. the tallness of the cedars thereof and the choice of the fir trees thereof the forest: or, the forest and his fruitful field

Read Isaiah 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The oracle's opening "This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him" identifies Sennacherib as the object of judgment. The personification of Jerusalem as "the virgin, the daughter of Zion" emphasizes her protected status under God's care. The verbs "despised...laughed to scorn" and "shaken her head" depict victorious mockery—a complete reversal where the threatened becomes the mocker. This prophetic poetry assures that God will turn the tables, vindicating His people and humiliating the arrogant.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Feminine personification of cities was common in ancient Near Eastern literature. Jerusalem's "virgin" status emphasized her purity under God's protection.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God promise to vindicate those who trust Him against mockers?
  2. What does Jerusalem's protected status teach about God's covenant faithfulness?
  3. How should the promise of eventual vindication sustain us through present mockery?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
זֶ֣ה1 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַדָּבָ֔ר2 of 18

“This is the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר3 of 18
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר4 of 18

“hath spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֖ה5 of 18

“which the LORD”

H3068

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

עָלָ֑יו6 of 18
H5921

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

בָּזָ֨ה7 of 18

“hath despised”

H959

to disesteem

לְךָ֜8 of 18
H0
לָעֲגָ֣ה9 of 18

“thee and laughed”

H3932

to deride; by implication (as if imitating a foreigner) to speak unintelligibly

לְךָ֗10 of 18
H0
בְּתוּלַת֙11 of 18

“concerning him The virgin”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

בַּ֖ת12 of 18

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

צִיּ֔וֹן13 of 18

“of Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

אַחֲרֶ֙יךָ֙14 of 18

“at thee”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

רֹ֣אשׁ15 of 18

“her head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הֵנִ֔יעָה16 of 18

“hath shaken”

H5128

to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)

בַּ֖ת17 of 18

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃18 of 18

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 37:22 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 37:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 16:4Psalms 9:14Lamentations 2:13Jeremiah 14:17Zephaniah 3:14Isaiah 1:8

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Isaiah 37 →

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