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 37:6KJVWhat does Isaiah 37:6 mean?
Isaiah 37:6 records the prophet Isaiah telling messengers from King Hezekiah not to be afraid of the threats made by the Assyrian king’s servants, because God Himself says those words are blasphemous and should not cause fear. The verse reassures Hezekiah’s people that God is aware of the insults and is in control of the situation.
In this scene, Isaiah is speaking to messengers sent by King Hezekiah, who is deeply troubled by the threatening words of the Assyrian king’s officials. The Assyrians have mocked and insulted God, trying to intimidate Jerusalem into surrender. Isaiah’s message is a direct response from God, telling the king and his people not to let these hostile words shake their confidence.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 37:6
- "Be not afraid" (תִּירָא, tirā): This Hebrew word often means to fear or be terrified. Here, it is a command not to let fear take over, even in the face of real danger.
- "Blasphemed" (גָּדַף, gadaph): This word means to insult, reproach, or speak irreverently about God. The verse highlights that the Assyrian threats are not just against Judah, but are direct insults against God Himself.
- "Servants" (נַעַר, naʿar): This word can mean young men or attendants, but here it emphasizes that even the king’s messengers, not just the king himself, have participated in mocking God.
Why Isaiah 37:6 matters
- Isaiah 37:6 clarifies that the real offense is not just political or military, but spiritual—the Assyrians have insulted God, not just threatened Judah.
- The verse shifts the focus from human power to God’s authority, reminding the people that God is not intimidated by earthly rulers.
- Isaiah 37:6 sets up the following events, where God’s response to the Assyrian blasphemy becomes the turning point in the story.