King James Version

What Does Isaiah 37:9 Mean?

Isaiah 37:9 in the King James Version says “And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard it, he ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,”

Isaiah 37:9 · KJV

Context

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.

9

And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

10

Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trustest, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.

11

Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?

Read Isaiah 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The report about Tirhakah king of Ethiopia/Cush coming to fight disrupts Sennacherib's plans. God uses secondary causes—in this case, geopolitical competition—to accomplish His purposes. The text says Sennacherib "sent messengers again" to Hezekiah, showing that military pressure from another front motivated renewed attempts to secure Jerusalem's surrender quickly. God sovereignly orchestrates international events to deliver His people, often through natural means rather than only miraculous intervention.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Tirhakah was a Kushite pharaoh who ruled Egypt's 25th Dynasty. His military movements threatened Assyrian western campaigns, creating strategic complications for Sennacherib.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use natural circumstances and geopolitical events to accomplish His purposes?
  2. What does divine sovereignty through secondary causes teach about God's comprehensive providence?
  3. How should we view "coincidental" timing of events that deliver us from difficulty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיִּשְׁמַע֙1 of 15

“And he heard”

H8085

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

עַל2 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תִּרְהָ֤קָה3 of 15

“concerning Tirhakah”

H8640

tirhakah, a king of kush

מֶֽלֶךְ4 of 15

“king”

H4428

a king

כּוּשׁ֙5 of 15

“of Ethiopia”

H3568

cush (or ethiopia), the name of an israelite

לֵאמֹֽר׃6 of 15

“say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יָצָ֖א7 of 15

“He is come forth”

H3318

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

לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם8 of 15

“to make war”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

אִתָּ֑ךְ9 of 15
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וַיִּשְׁמַע֙10 of 15

“And he heard”

H8085

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

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח11 of 15

“it he sent”

H7971

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

מַלְאָכִ֔ים12 of 15

“messengers”

H4397

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

אֶל13 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ14 of 15

“to Hezekiah”

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

לֵאמֹֽר׃15 of 15

“say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 37:9 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 37:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 18:1Isaiah 20:5Isaiah 37:71 Samuel 23:27-28

Places in This Verse

Cush 1Region · Modern: Meroe · 16.94°N, 33.75°E19 verses across 7 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Isaiah 37 →

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