King James Version

What Does Isaiah 37:36 Mean?

Isaiah 37:36 in the King James Version says “Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand:... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

Isaiah 37:36 · KJV


Context

34

By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.

35

For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

36

Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

37

So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.

38

And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead. Armenia: Heb. Ararat


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The fulfillment "the angel of the LORD went forth" describes supernatural intervention. The devastating result "smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred and fourscore and five thousand" (185,000 dead) shows God's power. The detail "when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses" emphasizes the sudden, overnight nature of judgment. No human army killed these soldiers—God acted directly. This miracle definitively proved YHWH's superiority over Assyrian gods and military might.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient historian Herodotus records a similar event where mice (possibly plague-carrying) destroyed an Assyrian army. Whatever the secondary means, God sovereignly caused the destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes use supernatural means to accomplish what human effort cannot?
  2. What does this dramatic judgment teach about God's power to defend His people?
  3. How should this miracle encourage faith when facing overwhelming opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֵּצֵ֣א׀1 of 16

went forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מַלְאַ֣ךְ2 of 16

Then the angel

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 16

of the LORD

H3068

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

וַיַּכֶּה֙4 of 16

and smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בְּמַחֲנֵ֣ה5 of 16

in the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

אַשּׁ֔וּר6 of 16

of the Assyrians

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

מֵאָ֛ה7 of 16

a hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וּשְׁמֹנִ֥ים8 of 16

and fourscore

H8084

eighty, also eightieth

וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה9 of 16

and five

H2568

five

אָ֑לֶף10 of 16

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ11 of 16

and when they arose early

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

בַבֹּ֔קֶר12 of 16

in the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וְהִנֵּ֥ה13 of 16
H2009

lo!

כֻלָּ֖ם14 of 16
H3605

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

פְּגָרִ֥ים15 of 16

corpses

H6297

a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image

מֵתִֽים׃16 of 16

behold they were all dead

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


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 37:36 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 37:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study