King James Version

What Does Isaiah 37:6 Mean?

Isaiah 37:6 in the King James Version says “And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Isaiah 37:6 · KJV


Context

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.

7

Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. send: or, put a spirit into him

8

So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Isaiah's message "Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid" directly addresses the core issue—fear. God's command not to fear the blasphemous words acknowledges their emotional impact but declares they cannot ultimately harm those under divine protection. The phrase "the servants of the king of Assyria" deliberately demotes Rabshakeh from his self-important posturing to mere servitude. God's perspective cuts through intimidation to reveal the true power dynamic—the creature cannot prevail against the Creator.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Prophetic formulas like "Thus saith the LORD" authenticated messages as divine speech, not human opinion. Isaiah spoke with God's authority, not his own speculation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's command "fear not" address our emotional response to threats?
  2. What comfort comes from recognizing that enemies are merely servants while we serve the sovereign King?
  3. How do we practically obey God's command not to fear when facing real threats?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
אָמַ֣ר1 of 22

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶם֙2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְשַֽׁעְיָ֔הוּ3 of 22

And Isaiah

H3470

jeshajah, the name of seven israelites

כֹּ֥ה4 of 22
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר5 of 22

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל6 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֑ם7 of 22

unto your master

H113

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

כֹּ֣ה׀8 of 22
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר9 of 22

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה10 of 22

the LORD

H3068

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

אַל11 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָא֙12 of 22

Be not afraid

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

מִפְּנֵ֤י13 of 22

of

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַדְּבָרִים֙14 of 22

the words

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 22
H834

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

שָׁמַ֔עְתָּ16 of 22

that thou hast heard

H8085

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

אֲשֶׁ֧ר17 of 22
H834

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

גִּדְּפ֛וּ18 of 22

have blasphemed

H1442

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

נַעֲרֵ֥י19 of 22

wherewith the servants

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

מֶלֶךְ20 of 22

of the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֖וּר21 of 22

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

אוֹתִֽי׃22 of 22
H853

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


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 37:6 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 37:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study