King James Version

What Does Isaiah 37:29 Mean?

Isaiah 37:29 in the King James Version says “Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Isaiah 37:29 · KJV


Context

27

Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up. of small: Heb. short of hand

28

But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. abode: or, sitting

29

Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

30

And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

31

And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: the remnant: Heb. the escaping of the house of Judah that remaineth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The judgment imagery "I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips" depicts Sennacherib as a wild animal God will control. Ancient Near Eastern conquerors led captives with hooks and bridles, humiliating them. God will do to Assyria what Assyria did to others. "I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest" promises forced retreat without conquering Jerusalem. The punishment fits the crime—proud Assyria will be humiliated and controlled like a beast.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian art depicts conquered enemies led by nose rings and ropes, demonstrating dominance. God promises to treat Sennacherib the way he treated others.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God often judge sin by the very method used to sin against others?
  2. What does the imagery of controlling proud nations like beasts teach about God's sovereignty?
  3. How should the certainty of divine justice for the proud affect our response to arrogance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
יַ֚עַן1 of 16
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ֣2 of 16

Because thy rage

H7264

to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)

אֵלַ֔י3 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְשַׁאֲנַנְךָ֖4 of 16

against me and thy tumult

H7600

secure; in a bad sense, haughty

עָלָ֣ה5 of 16

is come up

H5927

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

בְאָזְנָ֑י6 of 16

into mine ears

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י7 of 16

therefore will I put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

חַחִ֜י8 of 16

my hook

H2397

a ring for the nose (or lips)

בְּאַפֶּ֗ךָ9 of 16

in thy nose

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וּמִתְגִּי֙10 of 16

and my bridle

H4964

a bit

בִּשְׂפָתֶ֔יךָ11 of 16

in thy lips

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

וַהֲשִׁ֣יבֹתִ֔יךָ12 of 16

and I will turn thee back

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ13 of 16

by the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אֲשֶׁר14 of 16
H834

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

בָּ֥אתָ15 of 16

by which thou camest

H935

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

בָּֽהּ׃16 of 16
H0

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 37:29 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 37:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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