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Isaiah 37:18

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 37:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Of a truth, Jehovah, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the countries, and their land,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Of a truth, Jehovah, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the countries, and their land,
Isaiah 37:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 37

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And Hezekiah prayed unto Jehovah, saying,
16O Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, that sittest [above] the cherubim, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
17Incline thine ear, O Jehovah, and hear; open thine eyes, O Jehovah, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, who hath sent to defy the living God.
18Of a truth, Jehovah, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the countries, and their land,
19and have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men`s hands, wood and stone; therefore they have destroyed them.
20Now therefore, O Jehovah our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art Jehovah, even thou only.
21Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria,
← Isaiah 37:17Isaiah 37:19 →
← Full Chapter 37 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Of a truth Lord, &c.] This is a truth and will be readily owned what the king of Assyria has said that his ancestors have destroyed all lands, or at least have endeavoured to do it, and have had it in their hearts to do it: the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries: or “all the lands and their land”f715; the Targum is, “all provinces and their lands;” the countries and town and villages in them, or the chief cities and villages round about them.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“have laid waste--conceding the truth of the Assyrian's allegation (Isa 36:18-20), but adding the reason, "For they were no gods."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Of a truth - It is as he has said, that all the nations had been subjected to the arms of the Assyrian. He now intends to add Jerusalem to the number of vanquished cities and kingdoms, and to boast; that he has subdued the nation under the protection of Yahweh, as he had done the nations under the protection of idol-gods. Have laid waste all, the nations - Hebrew, as Margin, ‘All the lands.’ But this is evidently an elliptical form of expression, meaning all the inhabitants or people of the lands. In 2 Kings 19:17, it is thus expressed. ‘The kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands.’ return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the kings: Kg2 15:29, Kg2 16:9, Kg2 17:6, Kg2 17:24; Ch1 5:26; Nah 2:11, Nah 2:12 nations: Heb. lands Isaiah 37:19”
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Related study paths

Read Isaiah 37 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification