Bible Strands
Isaiah 36:15
Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, ‘The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Assyrian commander addresses the citizens of Jerusalem during the siege, directly countering King Hezekiah’s promise of divine protection. He speaks as part of a psychological campaign to break the city’s resolve before the final assault.
The words — The verb יַבְטַח (yav.Tach) means “he make trust,” directing the people’s reliance away from Hezekiah’s words and toward the Assyrian king’s offer. The adverbial phrase הַצֵּל (ha.Tzel) “certainly deliver” highlights the absolute guarantee Hezekiah claims for Yahweh’s intervention.
The thread — The conflict between human assurances and divine action appears in Psalms 4:2, 22:7, and 71:9, where the psalmist confronts slander, mockery, and the fear of abandonment in old age. Each passage tracks the movement from external pressure to a plea for God’s faithful presence.
Why it lands — The verse demands a reader to examine what authority claims to guarantee safety and whether that claim withstands siege. It asks for a clear-eyed assessment of promises before loyalty is given.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Cross-references
- Psalms 4:2 How long, O men, will my honor be maligned? How long will you love vanity and seek after lies? Selah
- Psalms 22:7 All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads:
- Psalms 71:9 Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
- Isaiah 36:7 But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’ is He not the One whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before this altar’?
- Isaiah 37:10 “Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
- Isaiah 37:23 Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!
- Matthew 27:43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”