Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.

ISAIAH 37:17KJV
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Isaiah 37:17 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 37:17 mean?

Isaiah 37:17 is a prayer asking God to pay close attention and respond to the insults spoken by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, against God Himself. The verse shows a plea for God to listen, look, and take action because Sennacherib has spoken words meant to dishonor the living God.

In this verse, King Hezekiah is praying to the LORD (Yahweh) during a crisis: Jerusalem is under threat from the Assyrian army led by Sennacherib. Hezekiah asks God to "incline" His ear and "open" His eyes, using human language to express a deep desire for God to notice and respond to the blasphemy and challenge directed at Him. The verse highlights the seriousness of Sennacherib’s words, not just as a political threat, but as a direct affront to God.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 37:17

  • "Incline" (נָטָה, natah, H5186) means to bend or turn, often used in prayers to ask God to pay special attention. Here, it paints a picture of God leaning in to listen closely.
  • "Reproach" (חָרַף, charaf, H2778) means to taunt, insult, or speak with contempt. The word shows that Sennacherib’s message is not just a military threat but a direct insult against God’s honor.
  • "Living" (חַי, chai, H2416) emphasizes that God is alive and active, in contrast to the lifeless idols worshiped by others. This underlines the seriousness of Sennacherib’s challenge.

Why Isaiah 37:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the real conflict is not just between nations, but between Sennacherib and the living God, making the situation about God’s reputation and not only Israel’s safety.
  • The language of asking God to "hear" and "see" stresses the urgency and desperation of Hezekiah’s prayer, showing how personal and direct his appeal is.
  • Understanding the original words helps highlight that Hezekiah is not just asking for help, but is deeply concerned about God’s honor being attacked by Sennacherib’s words.

Where else these words appear

“Sennacherib” Hebrew H5576 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:1 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.

“open” Hebrew H6491 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
  • 2 Kings 6:20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
  • Isaiah 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

“reproach” Hebrew H2778 · used in 40 verses

  • Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
  • 2 Kings 19:23 By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
  • Psalms 89:51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.