King James Version

What Does Isaiah 37:23 Mean?

Isaiah 37:23 in the King James Version says “Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 37:23 · KJV

Context

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

25

I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places. besieged: or, fenced and closed

Read Isaiah 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's rhetorical questions "Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed?" make Sennacherib's true offense explicit—his insults targeted not merely Judah but "the Holy One of Israel." The phrase "exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high" depicts arrogant presumption. Assyria's pride consisted of not recognizing the difference between conquering pagan nations and challenging YHWH. God will not allow His holy name to be equated with powerless idols. The offense demands divine response to vindicate God's uniqueness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The title "Holy One of Israel" is distinctly Isaianic, appearing 25 times in his prophecy. It emphasizes God's transcendent holiness and covenant relationship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we sometimes unwittingly blaspheme by failing to distinguish God from lesser things?
  2. What does God's jealousy for His holy name teach about the seriousness of casual irreverence?
  3. How should awareness of God's holiness affect our speech and attitudes about Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אֶת1 of 14
H853

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

מִ֤י2 of 14
H4310

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

חֵרַ֙פְתָּ֙3 of 14

“Whom hast thou reproached”

H2778

to pull off, i.e., (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e., defame;

וְגִדַּ֔פְתָּ4 of 14

“and blasphemed”

H1442

to hack (with words), i.e., revile

וְעַל5 of 14
H5921

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

מִ֖י6 of 14
H4310

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

הֲרִימ֣וֹתָה7 of 14

“and against whom hast thou exalted”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

קּ֑וֹל8 of 14

“thy voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וַתִּשָּׂ֥א9 of 14

“and lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

מָר֛וֹם10 of 14

“on high”

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

עֵינֶ֖יךָ11 of 14

“thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אֶל12 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קְד֥וֹשׁ13 of 14

“even against the Holy One”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃14 of 14

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 37:23 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 37:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 5:20-23Ezekiel 39:7Daniel 7:25Ezekiel 28:9Isaiah 41:16Isaiah 17:7

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