Isaiah: Chapters 37 and 38 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome, Family! We're spending 2024 with the prophet Isaiah. While we claim no expertise, we're excited to sit with you as we both learn at the feet of Jesus. Each month, we offer a calendar that outlines daily exercises (adapted from Jenn Wilkin's Women of the Word Bible study process) to progress through Isaiah. Download July's calendar to begin with us and witness what we uncovered in our weekly "Wolfe Note" postings.

Contents:

Different Versions Noting and clarifying differences between KJV & WYC.
Annotation My thoughts, connections, clarifications, and questions.
Research The need for prophets.
Summary An approximately twenty word overview of the chapter.
Memorize Why I chose to memorize Isaiah 38:18-19.
Cross References Of Isaiah 38:18-19.
Respond Based on reflections on God's character and my own.

Different Versions

I read Chapters 37 and 38 in the King James Version (KJV) and the Wycliffe Bible (WYC). Both are word-for-word translations.

Major differences I noticed (*My thoughts alone are in italics and designated with an asterisk.):

The KJV was written using the Wycliffe Bible as a primary resource. (See Bible Gateway's description of the Wycliffe version.) *The KJV is easier to read, but the Wycliffe does offer clarified rephrasing in parentheses. Read more about the history of the Wycliffe Bible at Bible Manuscript Society.

Isaiah 37:22

Comparisons:

KJV: This is the word which the Lord hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, (1) hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; (2) the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
WYC: this is the word which the Lord spake on him, Thou virgin, the daughter of Zion, (1) he desiped thee, he scorned thee; thou virgin, the daughter of Jerusalem, (2) he moved his head after thee. (this is the word which the Lord spoke about him, saying, O Sennacherib, the virgin, the daughter of Zion, despiseth thee, and mocketh thee; the virgin, the daughter of Jerusalem, shaketh her head over thee.)

Discrepancies: There is subject confusion here. Does Jerusalem despise, scorn, and disapprove of Sennacherib (KJV), or does Sennacherib despise, scorn, and disapprove of Jerusalem (WYC)?

Clarifications/Conclusions:

Bible versions generally prefer Jerusalem scorning Sennacherib.
Hebrew agrees with this translation.
Pulpit explains this poem foreshadows Jerusalem shaking her head as Sennacherib walks away.
Geneva reminds us that of course God would guard the chaste virgin He himself had chosen, "as a father would over his daughter."
*KJV is the more accurate translation in this example. Although I would not be the least bit surprised that Sennacherib would have similar feelings regarding Jerusalem.

Isaiah 38:12

Comparisons:

KJV: Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off (1) with pining sickness: (2) from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
WYC: My generation is taken away, and is folded together from me, as the tabernacle of shepherds is folded together. My life is cut down as of a web; he cutted down me, the while I was woven yet. (1) Omitted (2) Also omitted. (My source of life is folded up. My life is cut down like a web; he cut me down, while I was still weaving it.)

Discrepancies: Why is "with pining sickness" and "from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me" present in KJV but not in WYC?
Clarifications/Conclusions:

In Hebrew,

Pining sickness is missing. Literally, "hair, thrum". A thrum is "threads of warp hanging in a loom." (Bible Hub and Merriam Webster) *If this is the case, then "with pining sickness" in the KJV is WYC's translation "the while I was woven yet" or "while I was still weaving it".
The final phrase "You make an end of me" is literally translated: "To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, or to reciprocate". In other verses the word is translated to mean restitution, restoration, or reward. *This would also show Hezekiah's reverence because he's viewed the end as safe, though unfair.

Very few versions mention sickness.
Ellicott mentions that "from the thrum" takes place of "with pining sickness". The general sense being that Hezekiah's is a tone of reverence, "not nam[ing] Jehovah as the author of his trouble."
Benson notes a different tone. Hezekiah bemoans the rapidity of his impending death which will kill him quickly, or that their is no end to his pain. Day and night he suffers.
*WYC is the more accurate translation in this example. Why KJV translates "from the thrum" as "pining sickness" I don't know. The metaphor holds with the true meaning of the phrase but is lost in the KJV interpretation. My guess is that KJV translators wanted to remind the reader that Hezekiah is suffering. Pining sickness could also be likened to loosening the threads of his life.

Annotation

Notes on my process. *Denotes my thoughts alone. ! Denotes a connection. Researched quick answers are in italics. *R Indicates a topic with more extensive notes under the research heading.

Hezekiah's Response to Assyria's Threat (Isaiah 37:1-5)

Hezekiah went into mourning when he heard Assyria's response.
He sent messengers to Isaiah to inform him of the trouble of Judah and ask to him to pray for the remnant.

? Why are Eliakim and Shebna still working together? Does it have a deeper spiritual significance given that Eliakim represents Jesus and Shebna Satan?

See our research on Shebna and Eliakim.

? What is the meaning of "for the children are to come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth" in Isaiah 37:3? *Judah is ready, but unable, to be delivered.

Isaiah's Prophecy Regarding Assyria (Isaiah 37:6-7)

God tells them not to fear because of Assyria's blasphemy.
God will cause Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, to return to his own land where he will die.

Assyria at War (Isaiah 37:8-13)

Rabshakeh, the Assyrian King's messenger, returned to find Assyria at war with Libnah with an Ethiopian army on its way.
Assyrian messengers were sent to Hezekiah to warn him not to trust in God for deliverance and to remind him of Assyria's many victories.

?Who are the 'children of Eden' in Isaiah 37:12?

Hezekiah's Prayer for Judah (Isaiah 37:14-20)

Hezekiah spread the documents detailing his concerns before God.

! Lay out all your concerns before Him.

Then, Hezekiah addressed God's supremacy.
Asked God to witness all that Sennacherib said against Him.
Tells God of the destruction Sennacherib has wrought across earth physically and spiritually, although with false gods.
Intreats God for deliverance so ALL MAY KNOW the One True God.

🎵I want everyone to know / I want to tell the world about your love.🎶("Everyone to Know" performed by Bethany Dillon)
That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever. Joshua 4:24 KJV
That all the people of earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else. I Kings 8:60 KJV
I write to you these things, that ye know, that ye have everlasting life, which believe in the name of God's Son. I John 5:13 WYC

God's Response to Hezekiah's Prayer (Isaiah 37:21-35)

Through Isaiah, God answers Hezekiah, saying, Israel, my daughter, despises you Sennacherib.

Isaiah 37:22 WYC: ...Thou virgin, the daughter of Zion...
! For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2 KJV

In truth, Assyria wars against Me.
You boast about taking My land and removing its glory.

? Whose border and where is Carmel? Isaiah 37:24
? How do you dry up rivers with the sole of your feet? Isaiah 37:25

Clearly, you don't remember I made everything. Nothing happens without My consent - including your victories.

! For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? Isaiah 14:27 KJV
! Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Job 38:33 KJV

Your victories were small.

? What is meant by grass on housetops and corn blasted before it was grown? Isaiah 37:27 KJV

I know you: where you live, what motivates you, and how much you hate Me.
And now, because my people prayed, I will send you back to where you came from.

Isaiah 37:29 KJV Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

? Was this action of God because of Hezekiah's prayer?
Being hooked by the nose and bridled in the mouth was a literal treatment of captured people. (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, p. 1176)
! Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Job 41:1 KJV

You'll know it was Me by what you eat: the first year, whatever you gather; the second year, whatever grows; the third year, whatever you plant.

? What is the meaning of "springeth of the same" (KJV) or "eat thou apples" (WYC)? Isaiah 37:30
? Might this be likened to the process of spiritual growth, how we grow based on the word that is fed to us? We start by taking in whatever morsels of God's truth we can find, then open up to being sharpened by elders, and finally labor to produce fruit for others.

And My remnant will stand strong and prosper because of My zeal.

! And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3 KJV
! So every good tree maketh good fruits; but an evil tree maketh evil fruits. Matthew 7:17 WYC
? Why would they leave Zion? Is it powers from heaven that make it happen? Or is the verse saying that their salvation will come from Zion? Isaiah 37:32
! The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. Isaiah 42:13 KJV

The King of Assyria will not touch My city but he will go right back to where he came from.

? What does it mean to "cast a bank" against Jerusalem? Isaiah 37:33
🎵And maybe this is where we say farewell / Maybe you should get on back to hell / Maybe you need reminding / You're under my feet🎶 ("Under My Feet" performed by Zach Williams)

Because I defend Jerusalem, for Myself and for David, My servant.

* God saves us because He wants to save us!

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3 KJV
Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his might power to be known. Psalm 106:8 KJV
For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. Isaiah 48:11 KJV (See our research on giving in relation to Proverbs 31:31.)

! And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 2 Samuel 7:16 KJV

Fulfillment of God's Prophecy (Isaiah 37:36-38)

Then God's angel killed the Assyrian army.

? How could they all be dead corpses when it says they rose early in Isaiah 37:36?

Sennacherib turned tail and ran back home.

! At Nineveh. Like Jonah: Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. Jonah 1:2 KJV. (Read more about Nineveh at Got Questions.)

At home, while worshiping his god, two of his sons killed him and the third took Sennacherib's throne.

? Why did Adrammelech and Sharezer kill Sennacherib, but Esarhaddon reigned? Is this a case of getting someone else to do your dirty work?

Hezekiah Nearly Dies (Isaiah 38:1-3)

Hezekiah, near death, is told by Isaiah that he is to prepare for death.

? What was Hezekiah's ailment?

But Hezekiah prayed.
Hezekiah ardently pleaded with God to remember that he was a righteous man.

God Answers Hezekiah's Prayer (Isaiah 38:4-8)

Through Isaiah, God responded.

? Why couldn't God speak directly to Hezekiah?

God promised Hezekiah another fifteen years and promised to save and deliver both Hezekiah and Jerusalem.

? Why did God give Hezekiah 15 years?
* God gives us more than we ask for.

Hezekiah asks God to spare his life. God extends it for 15 years and also promises to save and deliver Jerusalem. Isaiah 38:6
! Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20 KJV

The sign of this promise would be the sun turning back 10 degrees.

? Is there a historical record of this happening?
? God turned back the clock how far? Ten minutes?

A Record of Hezekiah's Thoughts While Ill (Isaiah 38:9-22)

When my days were cut short, I said I would no more see God or man while on earth.
I'm old. I'm sure to die of this illness.

? What is pining sickness? Cancer?

I worried all night that God would break every bone and kill me.

? Reckoned? WYC says "felt like". Count; estimate; considered. Merriam-Webster

I trembled in fear. I mourned for my life. I lost all hope and pleaded for You to take over for me.

? Undertake? WYC says "answer thou for me." Attempt; under obligation to perform; promise. Merriam-Webster

I cannot complain. God's spoken to me and has put me in this position. As long as I live, my soul will be bitter.
You are over all, so if You choose, You will recover me and make me live again.

? Do "these things" mean sufferings or God's sovereignty? Isaiah 38:16 KJV O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.

I was bitter because I had no peace, but You delivered my soul from corruption and remember my sins no more.

! As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:12-14 KJV

Because I cannot celebrate and praise You if I'm dead. Because in the grave there is no more hope for Your truth.
But the living can praise You. The living can pass on Your truth.
And we will sing Your praises as long as we live.

🎵Joy still comes in the morning / Hope still walks with the hurting / If you're still alive and breathing / Praise the Lord / Don't stop dancing and dreaming / There's still Good News worth repeating / So lift your head and keep singing / Praise the Lord🎶 ("Alive & Breathing" performed by Matt Maher)

Isaiah ordered a poultice of figs to be used on Isaiah to help him recover.

? Why figs?

And Hezekiah wonders how he will know when he is to go to be with God forever.

? Why does the chapter end here? *Is this acceptance of God saving him for a time, yet wondering again when his time on earth will end.

Research

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

Why wouldn't God speak directly to people? Why was Isaiah needed? Why is it different today (Isaiah 37:6, 21 & 38:4)

A Problem of Sin

Adam and Eve could no longer speak to God face to face because sin reconfigured their mind and emotions.

Isaiah 59:2 KJV: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Sin damages neural paths; new boutons in the neural pathways make sinning easier to repeat.

It was not a complete and instant change, but it marked the beginning of the process of degradation.

The Solution

First prophets to establish access and expectations for divine communication.

*From the beginning, we felt a need for someone to speak to God on our behalf.. Job 33:23-24 KJV If there be a messenger with him, an interperter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then [God] is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down into the pit: I have found a ransom.
*Men were afraid to speak directly to God. Exodus 20:18-20 KJV And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that you sin not.
*So God raised prophets to speak for Him. Deuteronomy 18:18-19 WYC: I shall raise up for them a prophet, like thee, from the mist of their brothers, or of their kinsmen, and I shall put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all the things, that I shall command him. And I shall take vengeance upon anyone, who shall not obey the words, which he shall speak in my name.

Ultimately Jesus.

Predicted in Genesis 3:15 KJV And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Pulpit says "Prophet" in Deuteronomy 18:18 may as well be replaced with the "seed" discussed here. So it would read: "I shall raise up for them a seed [a prophet, Jesus]...)

Clearly defined in I Timothy 2:5 KJV: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

*Conclusions: Our sin separated us from God: our evil cannot commune with His holiness. The solution was a mediator. In the Bible, the mediators are people. But now, our mediator is Jesus (I Timothy 2:5). God speaks to us today through His word (2 Timothy 3:16-17& Isaiah 55:11), through events, and sometimes, though rarely, audibly. God's communication will never contradict the Bible (Numbers 23:19; I Corinthians 14:33; Psalm 119:160). Read more about how God speaks to us at Got Questions.

Summary

Hezekiah prays for deliverance from his enemies and for a longer life. God grants Hezekiah's requests.

Memorize

I chose to memorize Isaiah 38:18-19.

For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

This is why we, as believers and joint-heirs in God's kingdom, are alive: to praise God. It's His breath in our lungs, so as long as we're alive and breathing we've got a reason to praise the Lord. His praise will ever be on our lips. (Each link directs to a song with corresponding lyrics.)

Cross References

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

Of Isaiah 38:18-19.

For the grave cannot praise thee,...

Psalm 6:5 KJV: For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Psalm 88:11 WYC: Shall any man in the tomb, or in the grave, tell of thy love? or in perdition, tell of thy faithfulness?

...death can not celebrate thee:...

Psalm 30:9 WYC: And I said, What profit is there in my death; if I go down into the pit? Shall the dust then praise thee? or can it tell about thy truth?
Psalm 115:17 KJV: The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

...they that go down into the pit...

Numbers 16:33 KJV: They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, wither thou goest.
Matthew 8:12 WYC: but the sons of the realm shall be cast out into outer-more darknesses; there shall be weeping, and grinding of teeth.

...cannot hope for thy truth.

Psalm 28:1 KJV: Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
Proverbs 14:32 WYC: A wicked person is brought down by his own malice; but a righteous person hath hope in his death.

The living, the living, he shall praise thee...

Psalm 119:175 KJV: Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
Psalm 118:17 KJV: I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
Psalm 146:2 WYC: I shall praise the Lord all my life; I shall sing to my God as long as I shall be.

...as I do this day:...

John 9:4 KJV: I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Psalm 118:24 WYC: This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice, and be glad in it.
Psalm 90:12 KJV: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

...the father to the children...

Genesis 18:19 KJV: For I know [Abraham], that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
Exodus 12:26 WYC: and when your sons shall say to you, What is the meaning of this rite? Ye shall say to them, It is the sacrifice of the passing (over) of the Lord, when he passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt, and smote the Egyptians, but spared our houses. And the people was bowed, and worshipped.

..shall make known thy truth.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 WYC: And these words which I command to thee today, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt tell those to thy sons, and thou shalt think upon them, sitting in thine house, and going in the way, lying down, and rising (up).
Psalm 78:4-5 KJV: We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children.
Psalm 145:4 WYC: One generation shall praise thy works unto the next; and they shall tell of thy power.

*Conclusion: It's impossible to tell of, praise, or hope to understand God's mighty works when we're dead. So, we live to 1) praise God 2) understand and 3) pass on the truth of His wonderous works with all our might.

Respond

God responds to our prayers. My prayers matter. God listens to them and acts because of them. So, "because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live." Psalm 116:2
God is able. Nothing is impossible for You, but there are many things that are beyond my control. I can entrust every problem, from pervasive (like defense from an attacking army) to personal (like extending my life), to You.
God deserves our praise. I don't praise Him enough. There are many, many ways He moves, protects me, provides for me, and directs me that I don't even realize. I can accept that the reason I live is to praise Him, not only because He's worthy, but also so that all may come to know Him.

In Closing

Father God, it is from a posture of privilege that I come before You today. I am privileged because I am known by You. Chosen by You. You listen when I call. You bend down to listen to me. You save me because You want me to be with You. You love me and are for me in ways that are beyond my understanding. In response, I accept that this is my calling: for Your praise to ever be on my lips so all may know who You are. Bring me deeper, teach me how to worship You better, to make Your name known so that every thing that has breath may use it for its true purpose: to return praise to You.

Learning with You,

Ready for Isaiah 39?

Sample these related posts:

To locate the Isaiah study guide for July.

To review notes on Isaiah Chapter 36.

To witness your part in God's triumph over Satan.

To find encouragement to pray.

To offer the sacrifice of praise.

Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.

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