King James Version

What Does Isaiah 37:24 Mean?

Isaiah 37:24 in the King James Version says “By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 37:24 · KJV


Context

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

26

Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps. Hast: or, Hast thou not heard how I have made it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? should I now bring it to be laid waste, and defenced cities to be ruinous heaps?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God quotes Sennacherib's boasting: "By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord" shows the blasphemy came through Rabshakeh. The boasts about chariots, conquering mountain heights, and cutting down cedars of Lebanon demonstrate Assyrian pride in military and engineering achievements. "I will enter into the height of his border" claims access to inaccessible places. The "forest of his Carmel" refers to choice territory. God demonstrates He heard every arrogant word, and pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian annals do boast of such accomplishments—mountain fortresses conquered, forests harvested for building projects. Sennacherib's inscriptions confirm his prideful self-promotion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God observe and remember human pride and boasting?
  2. What does Assyrian confidence in military achievement teach about misplaced trust?
  3. How do we guard against pride in our own accomplishments and abilities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
בְּיַ֣ד1 of 23

By

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

עֲבָדֶיךָ֮2 of 23

thy servants

H5650

a servant

חֵרַ֣פְתָּ׀3 of 23

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;

אֲדֹנָי֒4 of 23

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

וַתֹּ֗אמֶר5 of 23

and hast said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּרֹ֥ב6 of 23

By the multitude

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

רִכְבִּ֛י7 of 23

of my chariots

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

אֲנִ֥י8 of 23
H589

i

עָלִ֛יתִי9 of 23

am I come up

H5927

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

מְר֣וֹם10 of 23

into the height

H4791

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

הָרִ֖ים11 of 23

of the mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

יַרְכְּתֵ֣י12 of 23

to the sides

H3411

properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess

לְבָנ֑וֹן13 of 23

of Lebanon

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

וְאֶכְרֹ֞ת14 of 23

and I will cut down

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

קוֹמַ֤ת15 of 23

the tall

H6967

height

אֲרָזָיו֙16 of 23

cedars

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

מִבְחַ֣ר17 of 23

thereof and the choice

H4005

select, i.e., best

בְּרֹשָׁ֔יו18 of 23

fir trees

H1265

a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)

וְאָבוֹא֙19 of 23

thereof and I will enter

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מְר֣וֹם20 of 23

into the height

H4791

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

קִצּ֔וֹ21 of 23

of his border

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

יַ֖עַר22 of 23

and the forest

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

כַּרְמִלּֽוֹ׃23 of 23
H3759

a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce


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 37:24 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 37:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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