King James Version

What Does Isaiah 37:4 Mean?

Isaiah 37:4 in the King James Version says “It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach t... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left. left: Heb. found

Isaiah 37:4 · KJV


Context

2

And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

3

And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. blasphemy: or, provocation

4

It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left. left: Heb. found

5

So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.

6

And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hezekiah's request "lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left" demonstrates humility—the king asks the prophet to intercede rather than relying solely on his own prayers. The hope that "the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh" and "reprove" him shows faith that God has heard the blasphemy and will vindicate His name. The "remnant" concept is crucial—God preserves a faithful few through judgment. Hezekiah identifies Judah as this remnant, trusting God's covenant promises to preserve His people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

After Sennacherib conquered 46 fortified cities in Judah, only Jerusalem and a few cities remained—literally a remnant. This desperate situation sets up God's dramatic rescue.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the remnant concept encourage believers during times when faith seems rare?
  2. What does Hezekiah's request for intercession teach about corporate prayer?
  3. How does God vindicate His name when it has been blasphemed?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
אוּלַ֡י1 of 26
H194

if not; hence perhaps

שָׁמַ֖ע2 of 26

hath heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 26

It may be the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ4 of 26

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֵ֣ת׀5 of 26
H853

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

בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים6 of 26

the words

H1697

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

רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה7 of 26

of Rabshakeh

H7262

rabshakeh, a babylonian official

אֲשֶׁר֩8 of 26
H834

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

שְׁלָח֨וֹ9 of 26

hath sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מֶֽלֶךְ10 of 26

whom the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֤וּר׀11 of 26

of Assyria

H804

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

אֲדֹנָיו֙12 of 26

his master

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

לְחָרֵף֙13 of 26

to reproach

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;

אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ14 of 26

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

חַ֔י15 of 26

the living

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְהוֹכִ֙יחַ֙16 of 26

and will reprove

H3198

to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים17 of 26

the words

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר18 of 26
H834

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

שָׁמַ֖ע19 of 26

hath heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

יְהוָ֣ה20 of 26

It may be the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ21 of 26

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְנָשָׂ֣אתָ22 of 26

wherefore lift up

H5375

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

תְפִלָּ֔ה23 of 26

thy prayer

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

בְּעַ֥ד24 of 26
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

הַשְּׁאֵרִ֖ית25 of 26

for the remnant

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

הַנִּמְצָאָֽה׃26 of 26

that is left

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present


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 37:4 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 37:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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