Definition: Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 37:21. It’s a really important and dramatic passage in the Bible! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, it's about God’s concern for Hezekiah and his people after Sennacherib’s army invaded Judah. Let’s unpack it bit by bit: “Isaiah the son of Amoz”: This identifies Isaiah as a prophet – someone who speaks words from God. "Amoz" is a name that means "blessed." “sent unto Hezekiah…” - This tells us that Isaiah was sending a message to King Hezekiah, who was the ruler of Judah (a region in Israel). “saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel…”: This is where Isaiah speaks directly from God. It’s a formal declaration – God is speaking plainly. “Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:” This is the core of the message. Sennacherib: This was a powerful and ruthless king from Assyria (a large empire in Mesopotamia - modern-day Iraq). He had invaded Judah and conquered many cities. “Prayed to me…” : Isaiah is saying that Hezekiah had prayed to God for help against Sennacherib. So, what does this mean? It means that God knew about Sennacherib’s invasion and was concerned about the safety of Hezekiah and his people. God felt a sense of urgency because Hezekiah was praying to Him for protection! Why is this significant? This verse is often interpreted as a sign that God was protecting Israel from Assyrian aggression. It's a moment where God seemed to be actively intervening to defend His people. It’s a story of divine intervention and a reminder of God’s watchful care over his chosen people. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Connect this passage to other stories or themes in the Bible? Give you some context about Sennacherib and the time period?