Isaiah 37:38 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 37:38 mean?

Isaiah 37:38 describes how, while the Assyrian king Sennacherib was worshipping in the temple of his god Nisroch, two of his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, killed him with a sword and then fled to the land of Armenia. After Sennacherib’s death, his son Esarhaddon became king in his place.

This verse comes at the end of a story where God delivers Jerusalem from the Assyrian army. The verse records the historical fate of Sennacherib, showing that his life ended violently at the hands of his own sons while he was engaged in worship. The mention of his sons’ names, the god Nisroch, and their escape to Armenia adds specific historical detail to the account.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 37:38

• "worshipping" (שָׁחָה, shāchāh) means to bow down or pay homage, often used for religious worship. The word here emphasizes that Sennacherib was actively engaged in religious devotion when he was killed, highlighting the irony of his vulnerability in a sacred space.
• "Nisroch" (נִסְרֹךְ, Nisrokh) is the name of Sennacherib’s god. The mention of this specific deity, which is not widely known outside Assyrian sources, underscores the foreignness of Sennacherib’s religion compared to Israel’s God.
• "escaped" (מָלַט, mālat) means to slip away or flee. The word shows that Adrammelech and Sharezer did not simply leave but had to flee for their lives after committing the murder.
• "Armenia" (אֲרָרָט, Ararat) refers to a region north of Assyria, known in modern times as part of Armenia. This detail grounds the story in real geography and history.

Why Isaiah 37:38 matters

• Isaiah 37:38 shows the fulfillment of God’s earlier prophecy that Sennacherib would not survive his campaign against Jerusalem and would die by the sword in his own land.
• The verse highlights the irony that Sennacherib, who mocked the God of Israel, was killed while worshipping his own god, suggesting a contrast between the living God and powerless idols.
• This event connects to the larger biblical theme that prideful rulers who oppose God’s purposes often meet unexpected downfalls, sometimes even from within their own families.