By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel.

ISAIAH 37:24KJV
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Isaiah 37:24 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 37:24 mean?

Isaiah 37:24 describes how the king of Assyria, through his messengers, insulted the Lord by boasting about his own military power and claiming he could conquer even the most difficult and beautiful places, like the mountains of Lebanon and its famous forests. The verse highlights the arrogance of the Assyrian king, who believes his own strength is enough to overcome anything, even what belongs to God.

In this verse, Isaiah is quoting what the Assyrian king has said as he threatens Jerusalem. The king brags about his many chariots and his ability to cut down Lebanon’s tall cedars and choice fir trees, which were symbols of strength and beauty in the region. This speech is part of a larger story where the Assyrian army surrounds Jerusalem, and the king’s prideful words are shown as a direct challenge to God’s authority.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 37:24

  • "Reproached" (חָרַף, ḥāraph) means to insult or taunt. Here, it emphasizes that the king’s words are not just against people, but are seen as a direct insult to the Lord (אֲדֹנָי, ’Adonai).
  • "Cedars" (אֶרֶז, ’erez) and "fir trees" (בְּרוֹשׁ, berosh) refer to the prized trees of Lebanon, known for their height (קוֹמָה, qomah) and quality. The king’s claim to cut them down shows his disrespect for what is valued and protected in the land.
  • "Carmel" (כַּרְמֶל, karmel) is a word for a fruitful or lush area, often used for Mount Carmel or any rich forest. The king boasts he can enter and take even these special, fertile places, showing the extent of his pride.

Why Isaiah 37:24 matters

  • This verse makes clear that the Assyrian king’s pride is not just political arrogance, but a spiritual challenge against God Himself, which sets up the reason for God’s later response.
  • By mentioning Lebanon, its cedars, and Carmel, the verse highlights the king’s ambition to dominate not just people, but the most treasured parts of the land, showing the depth of his overconfidence.
  • Understanding this verse helps the reader see why the following events in Isaiah focus so much on God’s power to humble the proud and defend what is His.

Where else these words appear

“choice” Hebrew H4005 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 23:6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
  • Isaiah 22:7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
  • Ezekiel 24:4 Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones.

“trees” Hebrew H1265 · used in 20 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
  • 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.
  • Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

“Carmel” Hebrew H3760 · used in 25 verses

  • Joshua 12:22 The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;
  • 1 Kings 18:19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
  • Isaiah 33:9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.

“sides” Hebrew H3411 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
  • 1 Samuel 24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.