What does Isaiah 36:20 mean?
"Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?" - Isaiah 36:20
The verse Isaiah 36:20 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?" This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Isaiah, which records the events that took place during the time of King Hezekiah when the Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah.
To fully understand the meaning and context of this verse, it is important to first understand the historical and political background in which these events took place. During the reign of Hezekiah, the Kingdom of Judah was confronted by the mighty Assyrian Empire, which was seeking to expand its territory and exert its dominance over the smaller kingdoms in the region. The Assyrians, led by King Sennacherib, had already conquered many neighboring nations and had set their sights on Jerusalem, the capital city of Judah.
In the preceding verses of Isaiah 36, the Assyrian field commander had come to Jerusalem and taunted the people, attempting to undermine their confidence in King Hezekiah and in the Lord God of Israel. He mocked the idea that God would be able to deliver Jerusalem from the powerful Assyrian army, and he boasted about the many other nations that had been unable to withstand the might of the Assyrian forces. In verse 20, the Assyrian commander questions the ability of any other gods to deliver their land, and by extension questions the ability of the Lord to deliver Jerusalem.
This verse reveals the arrogance and pride of the Assyrian king and his belief that no other gods or powers were capable of thwarting his plans. However, it also serves as a challenge to the people of Judah and to Hezekiah himself. The Assyrians sought to instill fear and doubt in the hearts of the people, questioning the power and ability of the Lord to save them. The verse captures the arrogance of the Assyrian king and his belief in the superiority of his own gods over the God of Israel.
The response to this challenge is found in the following chapters of Isaiah, where God demonstrates His power and faithfulness by delivering Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. The Lord sends a message to King Sennacherib, proclaiming that He will defend Jerusalem and protect it for the sake of His own name and His servant David (Isaiah 37:35). True to the Lord's word, the Assyrian army is miraculously defeated, and Jerusalem is spared from destruction.
This verse also underscores the theme of the sovereignty and power of God. It contrasts the false gods of the nations with the one true God of Israel, who is capable of delivering His people from any enemy. Throughout the book of Isaiah, God is depicted as the supreme authority and the only source of true salvation and deliverance. The challenge posed by the Assyrian commander serves as an opportunity for God to showcase His supremacy and to demonstrate His faithfulness to His people.
Symbolically, this verse represents the ongoing spiritual battle between the forces of evil and the power of God. It serves as a reminder that no earthly power or authority can stand against the Lord, and that His plans and purposes will ultimately prevail. The verse invites the reader to consider the futility of human pride and arrogance in the face of the Almighty God, who is able to deliver His people from any adversary.
In conclusion, Isaiah 36:20 in the King James Version of the Bible provides a powerful commentary on the sovereignty and faithfulness of God. It reminds believers of the futility of human pride and arrogance, and it reaffirms the absolute power of God to deliver His people from any threat or enemy. The verse serves as a source of encouragement and assurance for those facing challenges and opposition, reminding them that the Lord is able to save and protect His own.
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Isaiah 36:20 - "Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?"
"Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?" - Isaiah 36:20
Job 36:20 - "Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place."
Exodus 36:20 - "¶ And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up."
Isaiah 36:21 - "But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
Genesis 36:20 - "¶ These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,"
Acts 20:36 - "¶ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all."
Isaiah 36:14 - "Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you."
Isaiah 36:19 - "Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?"
2 Chronicles 20:36 - "And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber."
Luke 20:36 - "Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection."
Isaiah 36:13 - "Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria."
Jeremiah 36:20 - "¶ And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king."
Ezekiel 20:36 - "Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD."
Isaiah 36:3 - "Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder."
Isaiah 36:17 - "Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards."
"Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place." - Job 36:20
Isaiah 36:15 - "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."
Isaiah 36:9 - "How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?"
Isaiah 36:4 - "¶ And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?"
Isaiah 36:10 - "And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it."
Isaiah 36:1 - "Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them."
Isaiah 36:22 - "¶ Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh."
Isaiah 3:20 - "The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,"
"¶ And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up." - Exodus 36:20
Isaiah 36:18 - "Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
Isaiah 37:36 - "Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses."
Isaiah 36:5 - "I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?"
Isaiah 36:2 - "And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field."
Isaiah 20:5 - "And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory."