Isaiah 37:4
It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.
Isaiah 37:4 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of 2 Kings, we see King Hezekiah urging his people to turn to the Lord for help in the face of threats from the king of Assyria and his messenger Rabshakeh. Hezekiah advises the people to not be swayed by the words of the Assyrian king and instead lift up their prayers to God for protection. The verse highlights the importance of seeking divine intervention in times of trouble and relying on God's power to overcome challenges. By acknowledging the power of God to hear their prayers and intervene on their behalf, Hezekiah encourages the people to remain faithful and trust in God's ultimate protection. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of prayer and faith in times of adversity, showing that God can reprove the words of those who seek to undermine His authority.
Theological Overview
Here, the verse from 2 Kings 19:4 highlights the importance of prayer in the face of adversity. The context of the verse is when King Hezekiah sends a message to the prophet Isaiah asking for advice on how to handle the threats of the Assyrian army. Hezekiah acknowledges that the Assyrian Rabshakeh's words have reached the ears of God and pleads for divine intervention to reprove the insults made against the living God. This verse emphasizes the power of prayer as a means of seeking God's protection and guidance in times of trouble. It serves as a reminder for believers to turn to God in faith and trust that He will hear their prayers and act on their behalf. The theological interpretation of this verse underscores the faithfulness of God to His people and highlights the importance of seeking His intervention through prayer.
Isaiah 37:4 in other translations
American Standard Version
It may be Jehovah thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Jehovah thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.
World English Bible
It may be Yahweh your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’”
Douay-Rheims
It may be the Lord thy God will hear the words of Rabsaces, whom the king of the Assyrians his master hath sent to blaspheme the living God, and to reproach with words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up by prayer for the remnant that is left.
Geneva Bible (1599)
If so be the Lord thy God hath heard the wordes of Rabshakeh, whom the King of Asshur his master hath sent to raile on the liuing God, and to reproch him with wordes which the Lord thy God hath heard, then lift thou vp thy prayer for the remnant that are left.