Hezekiah spreads the threatening letter before the LORD in the Temple; Isaiah's word of deliverance, and the angel who smites the Assyrian camp in the night.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Hashem.
verse value 2859
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 49 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "in·the·sackcloth" (בַּשָּׂ֔ק, 3 letters) and the longest is "his·clothes" (אֶת־בְּגָדָ֑יו, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "and·he·tore" (וַיִּקְרַ֖ע), "his·clothes" (אֶת־בְּגָדָ֑יו), "and·covered-himself" (וַיִּתְכַּ֣ס). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "and·it·was" (root היה, 213x in Isaiah); "and·came" (root בוא, 120x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'his·clothes', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַֽיְהִ֗י [and·it·was] (31) + כִּשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ [when·he heard] (430) + הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ [king] (95) + חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ [Hezekiah] (136) + וַיִּקְרַ֖ע [and·he·tore] (386) + אֶת־בְּגָדָ֑יו [his·clothes] (426) + וַיִּתְכַּ֣ס [and·covered-himself] (496) + בַּשָּׂ֔ק [in·the·sackcloth] (402) + וַיָּבֹ֖א [and·came] (19) + בֵּ֥ית [house·of] (412) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 2859.
Metzudat David
And he covered himself. He covered himself with sackcloth, as a sign of grief and mourning.
Malbim
And he tore his garments, on account of their reproaches; and he covered himself with sackcloth, on account of the distress; and he came to the house of the Lord to pray.
And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
verse value 5490
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 77 letters. Verse gematria: 5490 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "and·(object marker)" (וְאֵ֣ת, 3 letters) and the longest is "who·over·the·house" (אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַבַּ֜יִת, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 407: and·(object marker), and·(object marker). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "Eliakim" (אֶת־אֶלְיָקִ֨ים), "Shebna" (שֶׁבְנָ֣א), "the·scribe" (הַסּוֹפֵ֗ר). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "who·over·the·house" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah); "to·Isaiah" (root איל, 114x in Isaiah); "and·he·sent" (root שלח, 35x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·sackcloth', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַ֠יִּשְׁלַ֠ח [and·he·sent] (354) + אֶת־אֶלְיָקִ֨ים [Eliakim] (592) + אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַבַּ֜יִת [who·over·the·house] (1018) + וְאֵ֣ת [and·(object marker)] (407) + שֶׁבְנָ֣א [Shebna] (353) + הַסּוֹפֵ֗ר [the·scribe] (351) + וְאֵת֙ [and·(object marker)] (407) + זִקְנֵ֣י [elders·of] (167) + הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים [the·priests] (130) + מִתְכַּסִּ֖ים [covering-themselves] (570) + בַּשַּׂקִּ֑ים [in·the·sackcloth] (452) + אֶל־יְשַׁעְיָ֥הוּ [to·Isaiah] (432) + בֶן־אָמ֖וֹץ [son·of·Amoz] (189) + הַנָּבִֽיא [the·prophet] (68) = 5490.
And they said to him: ‘Thus says Hezekiah: This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of contumely; for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
verse value 2659
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 70 letters. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֚ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·they·said" (וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 61: day, nothing. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "day·narrow" (יוֹם־צָרָ֧ה), "and·rebuke" (וְתוֹכֵחָ֛ה), "and·contempt" (וּנְאָצָ֖ה). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·said" (root אמר, 244x in Isaiah); "for" (root כי, 221x in Isaiah); "day·narrow" (root יום, 124x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'this', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 7 words.
Rashi
And rebuke. In German, "aschpruvment" – the enemies rebuke through their success, saying, "Our hand is raised high, and there is no God like our God."
"For the sons have come." The children of Israel are the children of the Holy One, blessed be He.
Until the time of breaking forth, there is no power for childbirth. It is a time of distress, akin to a woman sitting in labor, yet the child lacks the strength to emerge.
Metzudat David
And reproof. The enemy argues in order to boast of his success, saying: My hand is exalted.
ונאצה. He who reviles the Omnipresent, with words of cursing.
"When sons have come": He likened the sons of the generation to a woman who is bent over in childbirth, sitting upon the birthstool, and lacks the strength to give birth to the children.
Metzudat Zion
And reproof. The matter of reproofs and the clarification of matters:
ונאצה. The meaning is contempt, and similarly, "the men despised him" (1 Samuel 2:17).
“משבר” – a place of dwelling for the woman in childbirth; and likewise in “משבר בנים” (Hosea 13:13).
Malbim
What is the meaning of the double expression “a day of trouble and rebuke”? And the parable: Is it that the children have come? (3) “A day of trouble”: Indeed, Isaiah had already prophesied to them beforehand that Sennacherib would fall on Mount Zion (above, chapter 10), and he explained in his words there that his downfall would occur only after two matters precede it: First, that he would blaspheme and curse and exalt himself against the God of gods (there, verses 8–20). Second, until Zion reaches the end of the trouble and the darkness of night, at which time salvation will come (there, verse 24 through the end of the chapter). This is what is meant by: “Now the conditions you stipulated in your prophecy have been fulfilled.” First, that this day is a day of extreme trouble, for the enemy has come right up to Jerusalem. Second, “and he blasphemed,” meaning he blasphemed the Lord with curses and insults. Third, “and rebuke,” meaning he came to argue and prove with evidence that the Lord has no power to save, and if the Lord does not save, they will say it is due to lack of ability. From all this, I know that the children have come up to the breaking point, resembling a woman in childbirth when she sits on the birthstool: although the pains are severe, this is a sign that delivery is near. Likewise, we know that salvation is near. But “there is no strength for the birth,” meaning the mother giving birth lacks strength; that is to say, we lack the commandments and good deeds, which are the strength by which nature expels the contents of the full womb to the outside. We lack both human strength—valor and might—and divine strength, through charity and good deeds. Yet, by means of one thing, it is conceivable that the birth will be hastened for us, and that is:
Cross-references: Exodus 1:16; Exodus 10:1; II Kings 19:3
It may be Hashem your God will hear the words of Rab-shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to taunt the living God, and will rebuke the words which Hashem your God has heard; wherefore make prayer for the remnant that is left.’
verse value 7489
Insights
Verse structure: 25 words, 109 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֨ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "living" (חַ֔י, 2 letters) and the longest is "king·of·Assyria" (מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֤וּר, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: whom, which. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "sent·him" (שְׁלָח֨וֹ), "his·lord" (אֲדֹנָיו֙), "in·the·words" (בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים). The root אלהים appears 3 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "whom" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah); "he·will hear" (root שמע, 106x in Isaiah). First appearance of the root אולי ("perhaps") in Isaiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'your·God', dividing the verse into phrases of 20 and 5 words.
Rashi
And he proved it by words. He revealed His strength and demonstrated its success, and proved it, as it is said in the foreign language: "A man who proves himself."
Metzudat David
“Perhaps the Lord will hear.” May it be His will to give heed and listen.
And He proved. He will argue with words, when the Lord hears.
“And you shall take up.” It is as if He said to him: “I asked of you that you take up a prayer to the Lord.”
“The remnant that is found.” The remnant of Israel that is found in Jerusalem, for he had already conquered all the fortified cities in Judah.
Metzudat Zion
Perhaps. Would that it be so, and perhaps the Lord will look upon my affliction (II Samuel 15).
And he will rebuke. He will dispute:
Malbim
Perhaps he will hear a doubt, and how did he say "which he heard"? And what is the meaning of "and reproved with words"? (4) Perhaps he will hear the Lord, meaning: a. Perhaps the Lord will hear the insults of Rabshakeh, and he did not insult on his own accord, but only by the commission of his master who sent him to insult the living God, and He will punish him for the sin of the insult. b. And reproved with words—did He not reprove this insult of his with words and arguments, as it is written, "Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad?" And if the Lord does not save, he will boast that he has conquered the inhabitants of heaven. c. And prayer was raised, and the merit of prayer will be effective to save the remnant that remains, for after He has already exiled all the tribes, it is fitting that the Lord should have mercy on the remnant that still remains.
And Isaiah said to them: ‘Thus shall you say to your master: Thus says Hashem: Be not afraid of the words that you have heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me.
verse value 6246
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 86 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶם֙) = 86, equal to Elohim. Verse gematria: 6246 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֥ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·your·lord" (אֶל־אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֑ם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, wherewith. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "to·your·lord" (אֶל־אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֑ם), "reviled" (גִּדְּפ֛וּ), "the·servants·of" (נַעֲרֵ֥י). The root אמר appears 3 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "and·said" (root אמר, 244x in Isaiah); "that" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·your·lord', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 13 words.
Metzudat Zion
They defamed them. They blasphemed them:
Malbim
“Fear not.” He informed him that he should not fear because of the words he had heard, for in this matter the youths of the king of Assyria mocked Me, not Israel, and I will act for the sake of My Name. He also informed him that these words were not spoken on the mission of the king of Assyria, for in the first instance the youths mocked on their own accord; and despite all this, they need not fear, for the Lord will save them for their sake.
Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.’
verse value 3364
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 47 letters. Verse gematria: 3364 = 58². The shortest word is "in·him" (בּוֹ֙, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·I-will-fell·him" (וְהִפַּלְתִּ֥יו, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "giving" (נוֹתֵ֥ן), "and·I-will-fell·him" (וְהִפַּלְתִּ֥יו), "in·his·land" (בְּאַרְצֽוֹ). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·his·land" (root ארץ, 169x in Isaiah); "to·his·land" (root איל, 114x in Isaiah); "and·he shall hear" (root שמע, 106x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·his·land', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 3 words. Full calculation: הִנְנִ֨י [they] (115) + נוֹתֵ֥ן [giving] (506) + בּוֹ֙ [in·him] (8) + ר֔וּחַ [spirit] (214) + וְשָׁמַ֥ע [and·he shall hear] (416) + שְׁמוּעָ֖ה [report] (421) + וְשָׁ֣ב [and·shall-return] (308) + אֶל־אַרְצ֑וֹ [to·his·land] (328) + וְהִפַּלְתִּ֥יו [and·I-will-fell·him] (537) + בַּחֶ֖רֶב [in·the·sword] (212) + בְּאַרְצֽוֹ [in·his·land] (299) = 3364.
Rashi
And he heard a report. Immediately, this is the report of Taharqa, king of Cush, and because of this, he will go away from you this time to wage war against Taharqa, and this is not his return to his land; rather, afterward he will return here, and I am destined to send him back to his land and cause him to fall there by the sword.
Metzudat David
He places within him a spirit. He will stir up his desire to leave from here, when he hears this news, namely the news of the flight of the king of Cush.
"And he shall return to his land." The ultimate outcome will be that he returns to his land in disgrace, and in his land I will cause him to fall by the sword.
Metzudat Zion
רוח. רצון, like [the verse]: "to wherever the spirit would go" (Ezekiel 1:12):
Malbim
What is the meaning of "the wind"? Was he not compelled to return by the report, and did he not act against his will? And how can it be said, "And I will cast him down with the sword in his land," when he returned once more to Jerusalem?
"I behold, I will put My spirit in him" — this was the miracle that the Lord performed through His spirit: 1. That he would believe the report he heard, namely, that Tirhakah, king of Cush, was fighting against him. For he heard this merely as a rumor, and nevertheless he believed the matter. And this is what is stated: "And he heard a report," meaning that I will place within him spirit and thought so that he will hear the report and believe it. 2. The miracle was that he returned to his land, and did not remain here to fight for Jerusalem, nor to send some of his many camps against Tirhakah. And it was made known to him that the end would be that he would be slain by the sword in his land, for now was not yet the time of his downfall, for all have their appointed time. And it was necessary for him first to conquer Cush and Egypt, to fulfill the prophecy that was prophesied against them (above, chapter 20), and that he would bring their spoil to the Land of Israel, which Hezekiah would inherit, as was prophesied (below, chapter 45), according to the understanding of the commentators. Therefore, He arranged that he should return now to his house, until the time of his downfall arrived. Then he returned to Jerusalem, and there his camp fell. And afterward, upon his return to his house, his sons struck him with the sword.
So Rab-shakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
verse value 3435
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 48 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "against·Libnah" (עַל־לִבְנָ֑ה, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 30: for, that. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "and·found" (וַיִּמְצָא֙), "is·fighting" (נִלְחָ֖ם), "against·Libnah" (עַל־לִבְנָ֑ה). The root כי appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 221x in Isaiah); "he·had·heard" (root שמע, 106x in Isaiah); "king·of" (root מלך, 73x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'against·Libnah', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַיָּ֙שׇׁב֙ [and·returned] (318) + רַבְשָׁקֵ֔ה [Rab-shakeh] (607) + וַיִּמְצָא֙ [and·found] (147) + אֶת־מֶ֣לֶךְ [king·of] (491) + אַשּׁ֔וּר [Assyria] (507) + נִלְחָ֖ם [is·fighting] (128) + עַל־לִבְנָ֑ה [against·Libnah] (187) + כִּ֣י [for] (30) + שָׁמַ֔ע [he·had·heard] (410) + כִּ֥י [that] (30) + נָסַ֖ע [pulled·out] (180) + מִלָּכִֽישׁ [from·Lachish] (400) = 3435.
Metzudat David
"When he heard, etc." And for this reason he went to seek him wherever he might be found, and he found him fighting over the city of Libnah.
And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia: ‘He is come out to fight against you.’ And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying:
verse value 3917
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 61 letters. The shortest word is "went·out" (יָצָ֖א, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Hezekiah" (אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 426: and·he·heard, and·he·heard. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "concerning·Tirhakah" (עַל־תִּרְהָ֤קָה), "king·Ethiopia" (מֶֽלֶךְ־כּוּשׁ֙). The root שמע appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "saying" (root אמר, 244x in Isaiah); "concerning·Tirhakah" (root על, 200x in Isaiah); "to·Hezekiah" (root איל, 114x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'against·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע [and·he·heard] (426) + עַל־תִּרְהָ֤קָה [concerning·Tirhakah] (810) + מֶֽלֶךְ־כּוּשׁ֙ [king·Ethiopia] (416) + לֵאמֹ֔ר [saying] (271) + יָצָ֖א [went·out] (101) + לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם [to·fight] (113) + אִתָּ֑ךְ [against·you] (421) + וַיִּשְׁמַע֙ [and·he·heard] (426) + וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח [and·he·sent] (354) + מַלְאָכִ֔ים [messengers] (141) + אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ [to·Hezekiah] (167) + לֵאמֹֽר [saying] (271) = 3917.
Rashi
And he heard. The king of Assyria:
On "Taharqa." To say that Taharqa came out to fight against you:
"And he heard, and he sent messengers." The second "and he heard" is not like the first "and he heard." The first is in the sense of "hearing," and the second is in the sense of "accepting"—he accepted the words of the messengers, and it was pleasing in his eyes to direct his attention to withdrawing from Jerusalem, to fight first with Cush.
"And he sent messengers to Hezekiah" – to inform him that he is not departing entirely, but rather on the condition that he will return.
Metzudat David
“Concerning Tirhakah.” Concerning Tirhakah:
And he heard. He accepted his words, and it was pleasing in his eyes to fight with him first.
“And he sent messengers.” “Sent” implies that he sent them again, to teach that he did not depart entirely, but rather with the intention of returning.
Malbim
"And he heard, and he heard"—is this a duplication? Why did he send messengers to Hezekiah? Would not this enable him to prepare himself within those days for war? It would have been better not to inform him, so that he might return upon him a second time, in order that he might desist from doing anything? (9)
And he heard concerning Tirhakah: he heard this incidentally from the mouths of passersby, for the rumor was that he had gone out to wage war; until then he had not fought against him in actuality, but only had gone out from his land with the intention of fighting against him. And all this, even though the rumor was not clear, nevertheless he heard and believed the rumor (as stated above). And he sent messengers: it is explained that after he saw that he was compelled to return to his land, he knew that the people would not rebel against Hezekiah, and he desired at least that Hezekiah make peace with him and pay him tribute and be his servant. Therefore, he sent envoys this time to Hezekiah alone (for if not for this, why did he send now? Was it not better that Hezekiah should become discouraged in the meantime, thinking that he would not return against him, and would relax in preparing his war strategies)? (verses 10-14) Why did he not now raise the same argument as he did above (36:7, 10), that he came by the command of the Lord because Hezekiah had abolished his high places? Why did he send letters with the envoys and not do so the first time? Why did they speak to all the people the first time, and now did they direct their speech to Hezekiah alone? If the first time he answered him nothing and did not fulfill his desire to go out to him, even though he spoke to all the people, how did it enter his mind to send letters, as if now, when he is departing from them, they would fear him more than at first?
’Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: Let not your God in whom you trust beguile you, saying: Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
verse value 5049
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 77 letters. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֣ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Hezekiah" (אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֤הוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 271: saying, saying. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "do·not·beguile·you" (אַל־יַשִּׁאֲךָ֣), "trusting" (בּוֹטֵ֥חַ). The root אמר appears 3 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 286x in Isaiah); "shall·say" (root אמר, 244x in Isaiah); "whom" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'saying', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 6 words.
Metzudat Zion
"Yeshia'ek." He will entice and seduce you.
Malbim
“Thus you shall say”: Even though he sent letters, and in them everything was written at length, nevertheless he transmitted to the messengers a summary of the matter orally. For in the letters were written insults and reproaches, as mentioned in the commentary on the phrase “Let him not deceive you.” He could not say to Hezekiah himself that God would not deliver him because he had abolished the high places, for Hezekiah knew the truth that he had done so in fulfillment of the commandment of the Torah. Therefore, he said to him only that God has no power to deliver.
Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly; and shall you be delivered?
verse value 4857
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 48 letters. The shortest word is "they" (הִנֵּ֣ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·all·the·lands" (לְכׇל־הָאֲרָצ֖וֹת, 9 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "to·all·the·lands" (לְכׇל־הָאֲרָצ֖וֹת), "to·utterly-destroy·them" (לְהַחֲרִימָ֑ם), "you·will·be·snatched·away" (תִּנָּצֵֽל). The root אתה appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "what" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah); "to·all·the·lands" (root ארץ, 169x in Isaiah); "you·have·heard" (root שמע, 106x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·utterly-destroy·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 2 words. Full calculation: הִנֵּ֣ה [they] (60) + אַתָּ֣ה [you] (406) + שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ [you·have·heard] (810) + אֲשֶׁ֨ר [what] (501) + עָשׂ֜וּ [they·did] (376) + מַלְכֵ֥י [kings·of] (100) + אַשּׁ֛וּר [Assyria] (507) + לְכׇל־הָאֲרָצ֖וֹת [to·all·the·lands] (782) + לְהַחֲרִימָ֑ם [to·utterly-destroy·them] (333) + וְאַתָּ֖ה [and·you] (412) + תִּנָּצֵֽל [you·will·be·snatched·away] (570) = 4857.
Metzudat David
"And you shall be delivered." And is it a matter of wonder that you shall be delivered?
Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden that were in Telassar?
verse value 5485
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 64 letters. The shortest word is "which" (אֲשֶׁ֣ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·sons·of·Eden" (וּבְנֵי־עֶ֖דֶן, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: which, that. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "destroyed" (הִשְׁחִ֣יתוּ), "my·fathers" (אֲבוֹתַ֔י), "Gozan" (אֶת־גּוֹזָ֖ן). The root אשר appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "which" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah); "gods·of" (root אלהים, 82x in Isaiah); "the·nations" (root גוי, 65x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·Haran', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 4 words. Full calculation: הַהִצִּ֨ילוּ [have·delivered] (146) + אוֹתָ֜ם [them] (447) + אֱלֹהֵ֤י [gods·of] (46) + הַגּוֹיִם֙ [the·nations] (64) + אֲשֶׁ֣ר [which] (501) + הִשְׁחִ֣יתוּ [destroyed] (729) + אֲבוֹתַ֔י [my·fathers] (419) + אֶת־גּוֹזָ֖ן [Gozan] (467) + וְאֶת־חָרָ֑ן [and·Haran] (665) + וְרֶ֥צֶף [and·Rezeph] (376) + וּבְנֵי־עֶ֖דֶן [and·sons·of·Eden] (192) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + בִּתְלַשָּֽׂר [in·Telassar] (932) = 5485.
Rashi
Eden. The name of a kingdom, as it is said: “Haran, Canneh, and Eden” (Ezekiel 27:23).
Metzudat David
“Did they save them?” And did the gods of the nations save the nations?
Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?’
verse value 1949
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 38 letters. The shortest word is "where?" (אַיֵּ֤ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "king·of·Hamath" (מֶֽלֶךְ־חֲמָת֙, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 96: and·king·of, and·king. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "king·of·Hamath" (מֶֽלֶךְ־חֲמָת֙), "Arpad" (אַרְפָּ֔ד), "of·the·city" (לָעִ֣יר). The root מלך appears 3 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king·of·Hamath" (root מלך, 73x in Isaiah); "where?" (root אי, 30x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Sepharvaim', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 2 words. Full calculation: אַיֵּ֤ה [where?] (16) + מֶֽלֶךְ־חֲמָת֙ [king·of·Hamath] (538) + וּמֶ֣לֶךְ [and·king·of] (96) + אַרְפָּ֔ד [Arpad] (285) + וּמֶ֖לֶךְ [and·king] (96) + לָעִ֣יר [of·the·city] (310) + סְפַרְוָ֑יִם [Sepharvaim] (396) + הֵנַ֖ע [Hena] (125) + וְעִוָּֽה [and·Ivvah] (87) = 1949.
Rashi
The displaced and the uprooted. He displaced them and uprooted them; the king of Assyria destroyed them and removed them from their place.
Metzudat David
“to the city of Sepharvaim.” Because it was large and important, He said “to the city” [emphasizing the word “city”]:
The one who moves and bends. He moved them from their place and bent them.
Metzudat Zion
The word *hanea* is from the word *hana'ah* (movement):
And crooked. The word is derived from "to twist and to bend."
Malbim
“Hana’ah ve’oh” – He drove them from their place into exile, and He confused the boundaries of their land so that it would not be recognized in the future, as it is stated (above 10:18), “And I will remove the borders of the nations, and their treasures I have plundered,” as explained there.
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of Hashem, and spread it before Hashem.
verse value 3077
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 67 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "from·hand·of" (מִיַּ֥ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·letters" (אֶת־הַסְּפָרִ֛ים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 136: Hezekiah, Hezekiah. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "the·letters" (אֶת־הַסְּפָרִ֛ים), "the·messengers" (הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים), "and·read·it" (וַיִּקְרָאֵ֑הוּ). The root חזקיהו appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "to·face·of" (root פנים, 88x in Isaiah); "and·read·it" (root קרא, 84x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·read·it', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 7 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקַּ֨ח [and·took] (124) + חִזְקִיָּ֧הוּ [Hezekiah] (136) + אֶת־הַסְּפָרִ֛ים [the·letters] (796) + מִיַּ֥ד [from·hand·of] (54) + הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים [the·messengers] (146) + וַיִּקְרָאֵ֑הוּ [and·read·it] (328) + וַיַּ֙עַל֙ [and·went·up] (116) + בֵּ֣ית [house·of] (412) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + וַיִּפְרְשֵׂ֥הוּ [and·spread·it] (607) + חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ [Hezekiah] (136) + לִפְנֵ֥י [to·face·of] (170) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 3077.
Ibn Ezra
And in Kings (2 Kings 19:14), it says, "And he called them to the scrolls." And in Isaiah (Isaiah 37:14), it says, "and he read it" — the one letter alone in which the insults were; and in both books, "and he spread it out."
Metzudat David
The books. For he sent those words in a book:
"And He spread it out." He spread out each one individually:
Malbim
"And Hezekiah took": It is explained in the commentary on the phrase "for in the letters" that the letters given into the hands of the envoys contained insults and blasphemies against the Lord. Now, seeing that the insults had come from the king himself, he knew that the prophecy of Isaiah (above, chapter 10) would now be fulfilled against him. Therefore, he did not wish to make peace or submit; rather, he took them to the House of the Lord to pray.
’O Hashem of hosts, the God of Israel, that sit upon the cherubim, You are the God, even You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; You have made heaven and earth.
verse value 5863
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 77 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֨ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 5863 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "dwelling" (יֹשֵׁ֣ב, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·heavens" (אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "the·cherubim" (הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים), "you·are·He" (אַתָּה־ה֤וּא), "the·heavens" (אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם). The root אלהים appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "the·land" (root ארץ, 169x in Isaiah); "you·did" (root עשה, 101x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·land', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 4 words.
Metzudat David
The cherubim. Those upon the ark-cover that is upon the ark, as it were saying: “How then will You hand over Jerusalem into his hand, and the cherubim will come into the enemy’s hand?”
Malbim
“Lord of Hosts,” he said, “Behold, on one hand You rule over all the heavenly and earthly hosts, and You are the God of Israel, whose divinity is known among Israel, for they serve You. Likewise, You are the One who dwells between the Keruvim, for there Your providence is especially concentrated, so that it is fitting for You to contend on their behalf on account of the sanctity of Your Name. For You alone are God over all kingdoms, not as Sennacherib said, ‘Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad?’ For no other god is found besides You, since You made the heavens and the earth. And those who did not make the heaven and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.” And therefore
Incline Your ear, O Hashem, and hear; open Your eyes, O Hashem, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, who has sent to taunt the living God.
verse value 3789
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 65 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֤ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "living" (חָֽי, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·words·of" (כׇּל־דִּבְרֵ֣י, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 416: and·hear, and·hear. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "incline" (הַטֵּ֨ה), "seeing" (פְּקַ֧ח), "eye" (עֵינֶ֖ךָ). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "who" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah); "and·hear" (root שמע, 106x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·see', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 9 words.
Metzudat David
And see. The words of the books:
Which he sent. By the hand of his messengers:
Metzudat Zion
Pakach. "Open," as it is written: "I will open my eyes" (Zechariah 12:4).
Malbim
"Turn, O Lord, Your ear and hear, the reproaches of the first emissaries, and also open Your eyes and see the books full of reproach and blasphemy, and hear the words of the second emissaries who interpreted the words of Sennacherib, which he sent to reproach the living God, for (Isaiah 37:12) 'And because the kings of Assyria have destroyed all the lands, should He therefore be obligated to save them from his hand?'"
Of a truth, Hashem, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the countries, and their land,
verse value 2886
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 39 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 2886 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "verily" (אׇמְנָ֖ם, 4 letters) and the longest is "all·the·countries" (אֶת־כׇּל־הָאֲרָצ֖וֹת, 10 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "verily" (אׇמְנָ֖ם), "laid-waste" (הֶחֱרִ֜יבוּ), "all·the·countries" (אֶת־כׇּל־הָאֲרָצ֖וֹת). The root ארץ appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "all·the·countries" (root ארץ, 169x in Isaiah); "kings·of" (root מלך, 73x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 5 words. Full calculation: אׇמְנָ֖ם [verily] (131) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + הֶחֱרִ֜יבוּ [laid-waste] (231) + מַלְכֵ֥י [kings·of] (100) + אַשּׁ֛וּר [Assyria] (507) + אֶת־כׇּל־הָאֲרָצ֖וֹת [all·the·countries] (1153) + וְאֶת־אַרְצָֽם [and·their·land] (738) = 2886.
Rashi
Indeed, it is true that the kings of Assyria destroyed it.
"All the lands and their land." "The lands" refers to the capitals of the provinces, and "their land" refers to the territory adjacent to them. The cities of the kingdom, which are the heads of the provinces, are called "lands," while the rest of the districts surrounding them are called "their land." And in the Book of Kings (2 Kings 19:17) it is written, "the nations and their land," and it is the same expression.
Metzudat David
"Indeed, the Lord." You, O Lord, behold, it is true that they have destroyed the nations:
“All the lands.” These are the cities of the kingdom:
"And their land." These are the remaining districts:
Malbim
However, if the blasphemer had been another person, it would not have been fitting to pay attention to this matter. But behold, it is true that the kings of Assyria destroyed all the lands (and their lands, namely their provinces), and this too is true, that
and 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.
verse value 2341
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 54 letters. Notable word values: "gods" (אֱלֹהִ֜ים) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "for" (כִּי֩, 2 letters) and the longest is "their·gods" (אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 69: hands·of·man, and·they·destroyed·them. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "their·gods" (אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם), "if·deed·of" (אִם־מַעֲשֵׂ֧ה), "hands·of·man" (יְדֵֽי־אָדָ֛ם). The root כי appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 286x in Isaiah); "for" (root כי, 221x in Isaiah); "gods" (root אלהים, 82x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·fire', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 10 words. Full calculation: וְנָתֹ֥ן [and·cast] (506) + אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם [their·gods] (492) + בָּאֵ֑שׁ [in·the·fire] (303) + כִּי֩ [for] (30) + לֹ֨א [not] (31) + אֱלֹהִ֜ים [gods] (86) + הֵ֗מָּה [abundance] (50) + כִּ֣י [but] (30) + אִם־מַעֲשֵׂ֧ה [if·deed·of] (456) + יְדֵֽי־אָדָ֛ם [hands·of·man] (69) + עֵ֥ץ [tree] (160) + וָאֶ֖בֶן [stone] (59) + וַֽיְאַבְּדֽוּם [and·they·destroyed·them] (69) = 2341.
Rashi
And it shall be established. Like “and He shall establish it over all the land of Egypt.” It is in the pa'ul (passive) form. Guard and remember: donnen in the foreign language.
"Tree and stone." Therefore, since they had no power, the king of Assyria destroyed them.
Metzudat David
"For they are not gods. But all of this was because there is no divinity in them, and for this reason he destroyed them."
Malbim
They cast their gods into the fire, but this was because they were not gods:
Now therefore, O Hashem our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are Hashem, even You only.’
verse value 2612
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 55 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "now" (וְעַתָּה֙, 4 letters) and the longest is "all·kingdoms·of" (כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "save·us" (הוֹשִׁיעֵ֖נוּ), "from·his·hand" (מִיָּד֑וֹ), "all·kingdoms·of" (כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "the·land" (root ארץ, 169x in Isaiah); "all·kingdoms·of" (root כל, 93x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·his·hand', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְעַתָּה֙ [now] (481) + יְהֹוָ֣ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ [our·God] (102) + הוֹשִׁיעֵ֖נוּ [save·us] (447) + מִיָּד֑וֹ [from·his·hand] (60) + וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙ [and·let·them·know] (96) + כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת [all·kingdoms·of] (586) + הָאָ֔רֶץ [the·land] (296) + כִּֽי־אַתָּ֥ה [that·you] (436) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + לְבַדֶּֽךָ [alone] (56) = 2612.
Malbim
"And now save us: a) lest they say, 'They have also conquered You'; b) so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You, O Lord, are alone."
Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying: ‘Thus says Hashem, the God of Israel: Whereas you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria,
verse value 4706
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 74 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 4706 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "whereas" (אֲשֶׁר֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Hezekiah" (אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "prayed" (הִתְפַּלַּ֣לְתָּ), "against·Sennacherib" (אֶל־סַנְחֵרִ֖יב). The root איל appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "saying" (root אמר, 244x in Isaiah); "whereas" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'saying', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 10 words.
Metzudat David
"Which you prayed." On account of the matter for which you prayed to Me:
To Sennacherib. Concerning Sennacherib:
Malbim
“Which you prayed to Me, since your prayer was directed to Me for the sake of My Name” (22:30): According to the commentators’ explanation, it must be said that “despises you” is in the masculine form, and the phrasing is generally difficult according to the commentators’ explanation.
this is the word which Hashem has spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion Has despised you and laughed you to scorn; The daughter of Jerusalem Has shaken her head at you.
verse value 4558
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 63 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 4558 is divisible by 86, the value of Elohim. The shortest word is "this" (זֶ֣ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "which·has·spoken" (אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 50: to·you, to·you. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "which·has·spoken" (אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר), "he·despised" (בָּזָ֨ה), "mocked" (לָעֲגָ֣ה). The root לך appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "concerning·him" (root על, 200x in Isaiah); "which·has·spoken" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah). First appearance of the root בזה ("he·despised") in Isaiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'concerning·him', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 11 words.
Metzudat David
“Upon him.” Upon Sennacherib:
"By this, you shall be despised": "The daughter of Zion will despise you and mock you" (and she is called a maiden because she was never conquered and never came under another’s dominion, like a maiden who has not come under the dominion of a husband). So too, "the maiden, the daughter of Sidon" (above, 23).
After you. After your downfall, she will wag her head in a manner of mockery.
Malbim
“Behold, you, Sennacherib: Know that the virgin daughter of Zion has scorned and mocked your insults and revilings, and the daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you, for she knows that this will be your downfall.”
Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? And against whom have you exalted your voice? Indeed, you have lifted up your eyes on high, Even against the Holy One of Israel!
verse value 4725
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 52 letters. The shortest word is "voice" (קּ֑וֹל, 3 letters) and the longest is "have·you·raised" (הֲרִימ֣וֹתָה, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "and·reviled" (וְגִדַּ֔פְתָּ), "and·against·whom" (וְעַל־מִ֖י), "have·you·raised" (הֲרִימ֣וֹתָה). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Israel" (root ישראל, 84x in Isaiah); "and·lifted" (root נשא, 57x in Isaiah); "your·eyes" (root עין, 45x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'voice', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: אֶת־מִ֤י [whom] (451) + חֵרַ֙פְתָּ֙ [you·have·taunted] (688) + וְגִדַּ֔פְתָּ [and·reviled] (493) + וְעַל־מִ֖י [and·against·whom] (156) + הֲרִימ֣וֹתָה [have·you·raised] (666) + קּ֑וֹל [voice] (136) + וַתִּשָּׂ֥א [and·lifted] (707) + מָר֛וֹם [on·high] (286) + עֵינֶ֖יךָ [your·eyes] (160) + אֶל־קְד֥וֹשׁ [to·Holy·One·of] (441) + יִשְׂרָאֵֽל [Israel] (541) = 4725.
Metzudat David
"Who did you..." Why did you not pay attention to understand who you blasphemed:
From on high. To the height of the firmament:
Malbim
“Whom have you reviled?”—this is what the daughter of Zion is saying to you: “Whom have you reviled? None other than the Lord. Moreover, you raised your voice to revile Him with great publicity. And even more than this, it was not merely your intention to anger the people, but rather, ‘You lifted your eyes in pride,’ for you desired to revile the Lord Himself and to scorn Him.” It explains: “Whom have you reviled? None other than [the Lord].”
By your servants have you taunted the Lord, And have said: With the multitude of my chariots Am I come up to the height of the mountains, To the innermost parts of Lebanon; And I have cut down the tall cedars thereof, And the choice cypress-trees thereof; And I have entered into his farthest height, The forest of his fruitful field.
verse value 7097
Insights
Verse structure: 23 words, 97 letters. The shortest word is "in·hand·of" (בְּיַ֣ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "your·servants" (עֲבָדֶ֘יךָ֮, 5 letters). Words sharing gematria 286: height, height. 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "my·chariots" (רִכְבִּ֛י), "flanks·of" (יַרְכְּתֵ֣י), "and·I·will·cut" (וְאֶכְרֹ֞ת). The root מרום appears 2 times in this verse. 22 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·she·said" (root אמר, 244x in Isaiah); "and·I·will·go·in" (root בוא, 120x in Isaiah); "in·hand·of" (root יד, 79x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Lebanon', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 10 words.
Rashi
“From the height of the mountains.” The Temple Mount.
“The flanks of Lebanon”: The Temple.
"And I will cut down the height of its cedars." I will not go to its land until I have destroyed it.
“Its end.” Its end:
"His forest of Carmel": The excellence of its praise and the strength of its density.
Metzudat David
“The height of the mountains.” This refers to the Temple Mount.
"ירכתי לבנון" – at the end of the forest of Lebanon, where the tall cedars are located.
The stature of their cedars. This means the mighty ones.
“From on high is His end.” This refers to the Temple, which is the elevated place and the culmination of all the desirable things in the world.
"His forest of Carmel" – this means the best of his praise and the strength of his might.
Metzudat Zion
"Karmelo" – A place of excellent fields and vineyards is called Karmel.
Malbim
“By the hand of your servants, you have reproached the Lord” — did You not reproach the Lord, saying, “You have argued, saying that you have already begun to wage war against the Lord and have prevailed against Him”? And you depicted that the Lord is surrounded by His dwelling place: great mountains encircle it, and upon them is a great forest of cedars and cypresses. And you have already ascended to the heights of the mountains, up to the base of Lebanon, and attacked it. And you also began to cut down the forest, its cedars and cypresses, and to make a path for your troops, until you have already reached the height of its summit, to the point of elevation where the forest of Carmel is, His most select forest. (All this is a depiction of the forest that he conquered, as it is stated above, “And hail, when the forest descends” [above 33], until he uncovered the veil of the House of Judah, and it was easy for him to conquer Jerusalem.)
I have dug and drunk water, And with the sole of my feet have I dried up All the rivers of Egypt.
verse value 3113
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 38 letters. The shortest word is "all" (כֹּ֖ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·sole·of·my·feet" (בְּכַף־פְּעָמַ֔י, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "I·bored" (קַ֖רְתִּי), "and·I·shall·drink" (וְשָׁתִ֣יתִי), "and·dried-up" (וְאַחְרִב֙). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "all" (root כל, 93x in Isaiah); "I" (root אני, 76x in Isaiah); "and·dried-up" (root חרב, 44x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'water', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 5 words. Full calculation: אֲנִ֥י [I] (61) + קַ֖רְתִּי [I·bored] (710) + וְשָׁתִ֣יתִי [and·I·shall·drink] (1126) + מָ֑יִם [water] (90) + וְאַחְרִב֙ [and·dried-up] (217) + בְּכַף־פְּעָמַ֔י [in·sole·of·my·feet] (302) + כֹּ֖ל [all] (50) + יְאֹרֵ֥י [rivers·of] (221) + מָצֽוֹר [siege] (336) = 3113.
Rashi
"I dug and drank." That is to say, I began all my deeds and completed them, and succeeded, like one who digs a pit and finds water and succeeds. The term "makor" (source).
“And I will destroy it with the palm of My hand.” (If) I come to besiege a city that is secure in the strength of its rivers, I bring upon it many legions, and the waters of their rivers are exhausted by the drinking of their beasts, and by the path of the soles of their feet.
"And I will lay waste." This is in the language of the present tense, meaning that this is My constant way.
"Yorei matzor." Yorei: A city that comes under siege by means of rivers.
Ibn Ezra
And in Isaiah [it should be: and in Kings] (II Kings 19:24), "the addition of strangers with waters." The meaning is: the rivers of the strangers.
Metzudat David
"I dug and drank." This means that I have always succeeded in my deeds, like one who digs a well and succeeds in finding the source and drinks from its waters.
“And I will lay waste.” When I came to wage war against the secure city, by the strength of its rivers that surround it, then I brought upon it numerous armies, and they laid waste the rivers by the tread of their feet.
Metzudat Zion
"Karti" (I dug). I dug for a source; it is of the language of "the ravens of the valley shall pick it out (yikkeruha)" (Proverbs 30:17), "The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother—crows of the valley shall pick it out, and the young vultures shall eat it." The meaning is a hole and piercing.
“My feet” – just as it says “steps of the poor” (above, 26).
Matzor. The matter is one of strength, and it is from the word tzur:
Malbim
“I am the one who dug [the wells],” also in opposition to what Hezekiah did, when he stopped up all the springs so that the enemy would not find water to drink, and he also dammed the waters between the two walls of the city, so that the waters of the siege would be before the enemy, and the waters surrounding them would delay him, as it is stated (above 22:2), “And you made a reservoir between the walls.” He says: In light of the fact that you diverted the waters from outside Jerusalem, I do not need the waters of blessing, for I am the one who dug [the wells]; I uncovered springs and fountains and drank the waters I found. And in opposition to what they relied upon, namely the irrigation canals of the siege that they made between the walls, I do not need to stop up these irrigation canals, for the sole palm of the hand of my armies is sufficient to destroy these irrigation canals of the siege. Thus did Sennacherib boast. The Lord answers him: “Why do you boast in your strength?”
Have you not heard? Long ago I made it, In ancient times I fashioned it; Now have I brought it to pass, Indeed, it is done; that fortified cities Should be laid waste into ruinous heaps.
verse value 6755
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 73 letters. The shortest word is "old" (קֶ֖דֶם, 3 letters) and the longest is "have·you·not·heard" (הֲלֽוֹא־שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ, 8 letters). 9 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "have·you·not·heard" (הֲלֽוֹא־שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ), "long·ago" (לְמֵֽרָחוֹק֙), "from·days·of" (מִ֥ימֵי). 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·let·her·be" (root היה, 213x in Isaiah); "from·days·of" (root יום, 124x in Isaiah); "I-have-brought·it" (root בוא, 120x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·I-formed·it', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 8 words.
Rashi
Have you not heard? And why do you boast? This is not yours, for it was decreed long ago that you would bring calamity upon the nations, as it is stated above (10:5): “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger.”
Have you not heard from afar? More than seventy years ago Amos prophesied (Amos 7:11), two years before the earthquake, that Israel would be exiled from his land. From that time on, you should have heard that I have done and prepared this punishment.
“From ancient days.” From the six days of Creation, that decree which was decreed against you came to My mind, as it is stated (above 30): “For you have been prepared since yesterday; you have also been made ready for the king.” Now that I have strengthened you against the nations, I have brought you to that decree, so that you may cause the nations to be desolate, their fortified cities to be ruined, that you may kill their inhabitants and they may become desolate of people, and the nations may become overgrown with vegetation.
Ibn Ezra
And in Kings [II Kings 19:25], [the verse is cited] to equate [the meaning], and the reason is that fortified cities will prostrate themselves along with the raging waves. And in Isaiah [Isaiah 26:10], [the word] is written with an aleph, from the root of "shoa" (as in Isaiah 10:3), [meaning] like the raging waves; or perhaps the vav is exchanged for an aleph, according to their rule.
Metzudat David
To a distant place. From a distant time:
That very one. I established this decree from ancient days, and I formed it. And I created this matter, and the matter is repeated in what is stated:
"Now I have brought it." I have now brought the matter through you:
And it shall be. You shall be a plague of rebellion, to destroy fortified cities, to make them desolate and heaps of ruins that sprout buds and flowers.
Metzudat Zion
To lay waste. The matter is desolation, and likewise yesterday, is "sho'ah" and "mish'ah" (Job 30:3):
Galim. This is akin to the phrase "tel netzim" (a mound of sprouts). Flowers, and likewise "netzu ha-rimmonim" (the pomegranates have blossomed) (Song of Songs 7:13):
Malbim
Have you not heard from afar? If you had heard from afar, from the place where you dwell, the words of the prophets who prophesied all these things that they would indeed be so, would you not then have known that I, and not you by your own power, performed this? And more than this: Have you not heard from ancient times? If you had heard the words of the prophets who had already prophesied in ancient times that this would be so in the future, would you not then have known that not only did I perform it—the completion of the deed—but also that I formed it; I formed the root of the matter and its essence. For I declared the end of this matter from the beginning. Indeed, know also that the ultimate purpose of this deed, by which I brought you to devastate the Land of Judah and turn its cities into ruins, is that this shall be for the raising up of ruins: you shall raise them up and desolate cities, making them ruins, so that from these ruins fortified cities shall sprout forth and blossom. The cities that you turned into ruins shall now grow from the ruins, and fortified cities shall be formed from them. He grasps the parable of the seed sown in the earth: the destruction of the seed brings forth a flourishing plant. So too, the destruction of the cities, turning them into ruins, shall bring forth fortified cities. This was the ultimate purpose of My deed: by means of your having devastated the cities of Judah, they shall return to Me and rebuild again in the days of Hezekiah with greater strength and glory.
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, They were dismayed and confounded; They were as the grass of the field, And as the green herb, As the grass on the housetops, And as a field of corn before it is grown up.
verse value 4238
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 56 letters. Verse gematria: 4238 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "they·are·amazed" (חַ֖תּוּ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·their·inhabitants" (וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 414: short·hand, they·are·amazed. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "and·their·inhabitants" (וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙), "short·hand" (קִצְרֵי־יָ֔ד), "they·are·amazed" (חַ֖תּוּ). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "were" (root היה, 213x in Isaiah); "to·face·of" (root פנים, 88x in Isaiah); "and·their·inhabitants" (root ישב, 71x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·were·ashamed', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 10 words. Full calculation: וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙ [and·their·inhabitants] (383) + קִצְרֵי־יָ֔ד [short·hand] (414) + חַ֖תּוּ [they·are·amazed] (414) + וָבֹ֑שׁוּ [and·were·ashamed] (314) + הָי֞וּ [were] (21) + עֵ֤שֶׂב [herb] (372) + שָׂדֶה֙ [field] (309) + וִ֣ירַק [and·green·of] (316) + דֶּ֔שֶׁא [grass] (305) + חֲצִ֣יר [grass·of] (308) + גַּגּ֔וֹת [roofs] (412) + וּשְׁדֵמָ֖ה [and·field] (355) + לִפְנֵ֥י [to·face·of] (170) + קָמָֽה [stood·up] (145) = 4238.
Rashi
And its inhabitants are of short hand. I have exhausted their strength before you:
"And as a field-stubble before the standing grain." "Shedemah" is what they call "estoble" (stubble) in Old French — the roots of the harvest that remain in the ground.
"Before it rises." When it has not yet reached the stage of ripening and hardening to come to a state of rising, and it is weak and soft.
Before it sprouts. Before it becomes sprouted:
Ibn Ezra
And in Kings (2 Kings 19:26), it is written “shadaf,” and in Isaiah (Isaiah 37:27), it is written “shdemah.” These are two different forms, yet the meaning is one.
Metzudat David
"And their inhabitants." I made the inhabitants of those cities short of hand, unable to fight against you; and they were broken and put to shame.
"Field grass." Like field grass:
"And He caused grass to sprout." [This refers to] the green part of the grass, which is very weak.
"Grass of roofs." Like the grass that grows on roofs, which is weak.
And a field. [This refers to] ears of grain that are withered before their growth is completed, so as to reach the status of a standing crop; for then they are exceedingly weak. That is to say, behold, I am He who weakens the nations before you, and not by the strength of your hand have you defeated them.
Metzudat Zion
חתו. They feared and were broken:
"ושדמה" – this is like "ושדפה" as stated in II Kings, for the letters bet, vav, mem, and peh are interchangeable, and its meaning is "the purchased seed."
Malbim
"And their inhabitants" — and also that the inhabitants of these cities, which were destined to be exiled, were poor and could not rise up against you, but only cowered and trembled; yet even this was not for the purpose of utterly destroying them, but rather these inhabitants were like grass of the field and green herb.
“Before the rising of the stalk,” just as before the rising of the stalk, before the grain ripens, first field grass, greens, and the hay of the roofs and the open field grow—these being other kinds of grasses—and all of them will yet wither before the grain ripens. Nevertheless, after the withering of these kinds, the hay dries up, the withered flower fades; then it is seen that the valleys are wrapped in sheaves, and the fields of offerings are full of stalks and grain. So too, the short-handed ones—these will be cut down and put to shame, and in their place shall spring up the Branch of the Righteous for glory and splendor, which is the generation of Hezekiah.
But I know your sitting down, and your going out, and your coming in, And your raging against Me.
verse value 2857
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 32 letters. The shortest word is "and·(object marker)" (וְאֵ֖ת, 3 letters) and the longest is "tremble" (הִֽתְרַגֶּזְךָ֥, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "and·your·sitting" (וְשִׁבְתְּךָ֛), "and·your·going·out" (וְצֵאתְךָ֥), "and·your·coming·in" (וּבוֹאֲךָ֖). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·your·coming·in" (root בוא, 120x in Isaiah); "to·me" (root אל, 95x in Isaiah); "I·knew" (root ידע, 73x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'I·knew', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְשִׁבְתְּךָ֛ [and·your·sitting] (728) + וְצֵאתְךָ֥ [and·your·going·out] (517) + וּבוֹאֲךָ֖ [and·your·coming·in] (35) + יָדָ֑עְתִּי [I·knew] (494) + וְאֵ֖ת [and·(object marker)] (407) + הִֽתְרַגֶּזְךָ֥ [tremble] (635) + אֵלָֽי [to·me] (41) = 2857.
Rashi
"And I knew your sitting down and your going out, and your coming in." The Targum: "And your sitting in counsel, and your going out to engage in battle, and your coming into the land of Israel—these were revealed before Me when the thought arose in your heart and you consulted to destroy My House; I knew it."
Metzudat David
“and your sabbath.” The Targum: “and your sitting in counsel.”
“And your anger.” And even your anger against Me, I knew it:
Metzudat Zion
"Did you become angry?" The matter refers to a trembling motion of haste. And similarly, "he stirred up the kingdoms" (above 23:).
Malbim
“And your sitting down” – this means: Do not think that your hand has established your strength, or that you have risen to heights by your own power. Rather, whether in the time when you were sitting at home, or in the time when you went out and came to conquer kingdoms, I knew; all of this was within My knowledge and My watchfulness. However, know that I also know your anger toward Me, your curses and your reproaches, and for these you will be punished, for...
Because of your raging against Me, And for that your uproar is come up into Mine ears, Therefore will I put My hook in your nose, And My bridle in your lips, And I will turn you back by the way By which you came.
verse value 5454
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 69 letters. Notable word values: "My·hook" (חַחִ֜י) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 5454 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "in·her" (בָּֽהּ, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·I·will·turn·you·back" (וַהֲשִׁ֣יבֹתִ֔יךָ, 8 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "and·your·uproar" (וְשַׁאֲנַנְךָ֖), "My·hook" (חַחִ֜י), "in·your·nose" (בְּאַפֶּ֗ךָ). 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that·you·came" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah); "to·me" (root אל, 95x in Isaiah); "way" (root דרך, 57x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·my·ears', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 9 words.
Rashi
"Have you become angry? Have you become agitated and have you grown strong against Me?"
"Your tumult (sha'anankha)." Like "your noise (she'onkha)."
My hook. It is a type of ring, and they insert it into the lip of an animal whose behavior is bad, in order to lead it by means of it.
"And My bit (u-mitgi)." The Targum renders it "zemam" [a nose-ring]; it is of iron, and they insert it into the nostrils of the she-camel. This is what we learned in the Mishnah: “A female camel with a nose-ring.” [This requires study, for from the verse it appears explicitly the opposite: the hook (chach) is in the nose and the bit (meteg) is in the lip.]
Metzudat David
“Eli.” “It came to me”:
“And I will set My hooks.” This means: I will answer you against your will.
Metzudat Zion
"ושאננך" – this is from the word "שאון" (noise) and "המייה" (tumult).
Chachi. It is the ring that is placed in the jaw of a beast, by means of which evil people drag it along; and similarly, "And I will put hooks in your jaws" (Ezekiel 38:4).
"U-metagim" – it is like a bridle, as it is written: "a bit for the ass" (Proverbs 27).
Malbim
"Because your raging against Me and your arrogance have come up into My ears, for I have heard how you blasphemed with a loud voice and great publicity; therefore, I have put My hook in your nose so that you cannot go on to Jerusalem, and My bridle in your lips so that you will not be able to blaspheme and curse anymore, and I have returned you as you were."
And this shall be the sign to you: you shall eat this year that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs of the same; and in the third year sow you, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.
verse value 5571
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 80 letters. The shortest word is "sign" (הָא֔וֹת, 4 letters) and the longest is "third" (הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗ית, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 363: and·in·the·year, and·in·the·year. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "year" (הַשָּׁנָה֙), "outpouring" (סָפִ֔יחַ), "second" (הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית). The root אכל appears 3 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "surely" (root אכל, 55x in Isaiah); "and·this·to·you" (root זה, 47x in Isaiah); "seed" (root זרע, 33x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'volunteer grain', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 9 words.
Rashi
"And this shall be to you a sign." This utterance is not directed to Sennacherib, but rather the prophet said to Hezekiah, "This response shall be to you as a sign of another promise: Behold, the armies have destroyed all the crops and cut down all the trees, and the Holy One, blessed be He, promises you that this year you will be sustained by the aftergrowth of the crops that will sprout of themselves."
“Eat of the year.” [The verse means:] “To eat of the year [is] sefichah.”
"And in the second year shachis." These are the sprouts of the lopped trees; so it is in Seder Olam. But Jonathan rendered it "sprouts of sprouts" [aftergrowth of aftergrowth]. And this is your sign: when you see that the words come true, that Sennacherib returns to his land and falls, then you will believe that the second promise will also be fulfilled.
Ibn Ezra
And in Kings [ibid. 29], it is written "sachish," whereas in Isaiah [ibid. 30], it is written "shachis." This is analogous to "kevesh" (Leviticus 3:7) and "kevesh" [Leviticus 4:32], and the meaning is one and the same.
Metzudat David
"And this shall be to you a sign." He speaks here in contrast to Hezekiah: "Behold, this deliverance shall be to you as a sign for another promise, for behold, the armies have destroyed and ruined the crops and cut down the trees, and the Holy One, blessed be He, promises you to sustain you in that year through the aftergrowth of the crops."
And in the second year, the aftergrowth. Perhaps it was the Sabbatical year, during which plowing and sowing were forbidden, and therefore the spontaneous growths of the spontaneous growths were blessed.
And in the third year they sowed. And you shall no longer fear going out to the field out of fear of the enemy:
Metzudat Zion
Sefichah. It is that which grows from a grain that fell of itself, as it says: "the s'fichah of your harvest" (Leviticus 25:5).
Shachis. Its meaning is secondary growths of secondary growths, or secondary growths of trees, and it has no counterpart.
Malbim
What was the sign? If so, according to the explanation, how could the downfall of Sennacherib be a sign and a wonder, since he had not yet fallen? And when he will fall, there will be no need for a sign for them to plant vineyards, for who would then hinder them? The enemy has fallen, so what is the need for a sign?
“And this shall be the sign for you”: Since the devastation of the cities and their inhabitants, and their subsequent flourishing with even greater vigor, resembles the plants of the field that sprout and grow after their withering, He took the produce of the land as a sign concerning the fruitfulness and multiplication of the people. He says, “Behold, now the entire land is desolate, to the extent that in this year you will be forced to eat aftergrowth due to the great abandonment; and likewise, in the second year it will not be possible to sow due to the great abandonment. Nevertheless, behold, in the third year you will already sow grain and reap it, and you will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit, for the land will return to its normal state.” This matter—that which will happen to the plants of the field and the plantings of the vineyard—will serve as a sign and token for the rooting of Jacob, that he will sprout and blossom, and fill the face of the world with produce. And this is a sign that likewise...
And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.
verse value 3423
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 43 letters. The shortest word is "root" (שֹׁ֣רֶשׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "house·of·Judah" (בֵּית־יְהוּדָ֛ה, 8 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "and·will·add" (וְיָ֨סְפָ֜ה), "escape" (פְּלֵיטַ֧ת), "house·of·Judah" (בֵּית־יְהוּדָ֛ה). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·will·bear" (root עשה, 101x in Isaiah); "house·of·Judah" (root בית, 67x in Isaiah); "remained" (root שאר, 21x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'downward', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְיָ֨סְפָ֜ה [and·will·add] (161) + פְּלֵיטַ֧ת [escape] (529) + בֵּית־יְהוּדָ֛ה [house·of·Judah] (442) + הַנִּשְׁאָרָ֖ה [remained] (561) + שֹׁ֣רֶשׁ [root] (800) + לְמָ֑טָּה [downward] (84) + וְעָשָׂ֥ה [and·will·bear] (381) + פְרִ֖י [fruit] (290) + לְמָֽעְלָה [upward] (175) = 3423.
Metzudat David
“Roots downward.” This means that they should be filled with all good things, like a tree planted by a moist place, which sends its roots downward and increases its fruit upward.
Malbim
"And the remnant of the House of Judah that remained shall again take root downward, and the roots shall be added below, and they shall bear fruit above." This means that they shall be added to the fortified cities and the strength of the kingdom, and to the people and the multitude.
For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and out of mount Zion they that shall escape; the zeal of Hashem of hosts shall perform this.
verse value 4858
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 50 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֥ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֤י, 2 letters) and the longest is "from·Jerusalem" (מִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "rest" (שְׁאֵרִ֔ית), "and·escape" (וּפְלֵיטָ֖ה). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "for" (root כי, 221x in Isaiah); "will·perform·this" (root עשה, 101x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Zion', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 4 words. Full calculation: כִּ֤י [for] (30) + מִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ [from·Jerusalem] (626) + תֵּצֵ֣א [it·shall·go·out] (491) + שְׁאֵרִ֔ית [rest] (911) + וּפְלֵיטָ֖ה [and·escape] (140) + מֵהַ֣ר [from·mount] (245) + צִיּ֑וֹן [Zion] (156) + קִנְאַ֛ת [jealousy·of] (551) + יְהֹוָ֥ה [Hashem] (26) + צְבָא֖וֹת [hosts] (499) + תַּעֲשֶׂה־זֹּֽאת [will·perform·this] (1183) = 4858.
Rashi
“The zeal of the Lord of Hosts.” This teaches that He will be jealous for His Name, and not on account of the merit in your hands. From here we learn that the merit of the Fathers has ceased.
Metzudat David
"For from Jerusalem..." – This means that Jerusalem will be the remnant saved from the hand of Sennacherib. Likewise, "and a remnant from Mount Zion." The matter is repeated in what is stated:
The zeal of the Lord. For He will be zealous for His Name, which Rabshakeh and Sennacherib blasphemed.
Malbim
For a remnant shall go out from Jerusalem; for the multitude of the people of Jerusalem remained in their place and were not exiled. And “a deliverance from Mount Zion” means that through Mount Zion, which is Hezekiah who dwelt in the fortress of Zion, a deliverance shall go forth, in that the exiles released their survivors, and they returned to take refuge under the protection of Hezekiah. And “the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this” because He was blasphemed and reviled, and the Lord was zealous for His Name and for His land.
Therefore thus says Hashem concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither shall he come before it with shield, nor cast a mound against it.
verse value 3521
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 75 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֤א, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·not·will·confront·it" (וְלֹֽא־יְקַדְּמֶ֣נָּה, 9 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "to·king" (אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ), "to·the·city" (אֶל־הָעִ֣יר), "and·not·he·shall·shoot" (וְלֹא־יוֹרֶ֥ה). The root איל appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "not" (root לא, 286x in Isaiah); "thus·says" (root אמר, 244x in Isaiah). First appearance of the root שפך ("and·not·will·pour") in Isaiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'arrow', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 5 words.
Rashi
And he shall not precede her with a shield. One shall not set up a shield before you, as the Targum translates "before" as "precede."
“And he shall not heap up upon it a mound.” This means that one must not accumulate upon it a heap. I say that this refers to the one who pours out earth and heaps it up before the wall and the towers, in order to build upon it a siege ramp.
“Sullah.” This is named so because they build it up and tamp it down with mallets so that it becomes hard. Its Targumic rendering is *malitha*, because initially they construct for it two partition walls of reeds, pour the earth between them, and tamp it down there after filling the partitions. And I have heard that they dismantle it by throwing large stones, which they call *pourrier* in the vernacular. However, the language of “pouring” does not apply to stones, nor does the language of “building up” (sullah), and the language of the Targum does not fall upon this interpretation.
Metzudat Zion
Yoreh. "He shall cast" – just as it says, "He cast into the sea" (Exodus 15:4):
"And he shall not precede it." He shall not arrange it before it, for the Targum translates "before" as "precede," and similarly in "How shall I go before the Lord?" (Micah 7):
“Sillah.” It is the mound of earth that is thrown up in front of the city, and they ascend it to wage war. And similarly, “And they shall heap up against Jerusalem a mound” (Jeremiah 7).
Malbim
Therefore, he shall not come, nor shall he shoot an arrow, nor even precede it with a shield—which is done before they shoot an arrow, placing the shield first so that they will not shoot at him from within the city—nor shall he build up a rampart, which is a raised place from which they shoot at the city; and all the more so shall he not begin to shoot, since they would have no rampart at all, only
By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come to this city, says Hashem.
verse value 1957
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "in·her" (בָּ֣הּ, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·to·the·city" (וְאֶל־הָעִ֥יר, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "that·he·came" (אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֖א), "and·to·the·city" (וְאֶל־הָעִ֥יר). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "utterance·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "not" (root לא, 286x in Isaiah); "that·he·came" (root אשר, 176x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'he·shall·return', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 5 words. Full calculation: בַּדֶּ֥רֶךְ [way] (226) + אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֖א [that·he·came] (504) + בָּ֣הּ [in·her] (7) + יָשׁ֑וּב [he·shall·return] (318) + וְאֶל־הָעִ֥יר [and·to·the·city] (322) + הַזֹּ֛את [this] (413) + לֹ֥א [not] (31) + יָב֖וֹא [will·go·in] (19) + נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה [utterance·of·Hashem] (117) = 1957.
Malbim
Why is the phrase “and to this city it shall not come” doubled? The sun is ten degrees [from the horizon], and in Chronicles it is mentioned that the princes of Babylon sent [messengers] to inquire about the miracle that had occurred in the land? He answered their question: “What did they say to you?” What did he intend by saying, “They came from a distant land”? Does he not know how far it is from Babylon to the Land of Israel?
"In the way that he came, he shall return," and even though afterward he may return a second time to Jerusalem, nevertheless, he shall not come to this city.
For I will defend this city to save it, for Mine own sake, and for My servant David’s sake.’
verse value 2195
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 40 letters. Notable word values: "my·servant" (עַבְדִּֽי) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "David" (דָּוִ֥ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·save·it" (לְהֽוֹשִׁיעָ֑הּ, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "to·save·it" (לְהֽוֹשִׁיעָ֑הּ). The root מען appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "my·servant" (root עבד, 48x in Isaiah); "over·the·city" (root עיר, 43x in Isaiah); "this" (root זאת, 35x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·save·it', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְגַנּוֹתִ֛י [and·I·will·defend] (475) + עַל־הָעִ֥יר [over·the·city] (385) + הַזֹּ֖את [this] (413) + לְהֽוֹשִׁיעָ֑הּ [to·save·it] (426) + לְמַֽעֲנִ֔י [for·My·sake] (200) + וּלְמַ֖עַן [and·for·sake·of] (196) + דָּוִ֥ד [David] (14) + עַבְדִּֽי [my·servant] (86) = 2195.
Metzudat David
For My sake. For the sake of My name:
Metzudat Zion
And I will protect. The word is from the root of "protection."
Malbim
"And I will protect [this city]," meaning that this will be for My sake, on account of the desecration of the Name of Heaven and on account of the sovereignty of the House of David.
And the angel of Hashem went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
verse value 3514
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 69 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "hundred" (מֵאָ֛ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·they·rose·early" (וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ, 7 letters). 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "messenger" (מַלְאַ֣ךְ), "and·smote" (וַיַּכֶּה֙), "in·camp·of" (בְּמַחֲנֵ֣ה). 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 449x in Isaiah); "all·of·them" (root כל, 93x in Isaiah); "Assyria" (root אשור, 43x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'thousand', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 6 words.
Rashi
“And the angel of the Lord went out...” After he had gone and fought with Cush, he returned and came to Jerusalem, and at that time “the angel of the Lord went out.” And this is stated in Seder Olam: “Behold, I will put a spirit in him,” and he heard the news, as it is stated, “And he heard concerning Taharqa...” (above 36). He swept away Shevna the steward and his cohort, and led them away in chains, and he went to Cush, and took the delight of all the treasures, and came to Jerusalem to fulfill what is stated (below 45): “Egypt shall come, and Cush shall trade with you; they shall pass over, this is Jerusalem; they shall go after you.” This is Hezekiah. At that time he sent Tartan and Rab-shakeh, who are mentioned in the book (II Kings 18:17), and they are the messengers of whom it is stated that he sent them after the news, as it is stated (above 37): “And he sent messengers to Hezekiah.” And they did not come with Rabshakeh in the first mission. And concerning those officials Isaiah answered (ibid.) with this: “She has despised you, she has mocked you.” At that time “the angel of the Lord went out and struck...” All of them were kings, with crowns bound on their heads, and the least of them all was a commander over two thousand, as it is stated (above 36): “And I will give you two thousand horses.” And how could you turn back the face of one governor...? We learn from this that the least of the governors was a commander over two thousand men, and they and their armies fell.
Metzudat David
"And the angel of the Lord went out". After he had fought against Cush, he returned and came to Jerusalem, and then "the angel of the Lord went out," etc. "And they arose early in the morning" (II Kings 19:35): Sennacherib and the small number who remained alive.
Cross-references: II Kings 19:35; Psalms 73:20; Daniel 3:25
So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went, and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
verse value 1898
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 35 letters. Verse gematria: 1898 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "and·journeyed" (וַיִּסַּ֣ע, 4 letters) and the longest is "king·of·Assyria" (מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֑וּר, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 318: and·returned, and·dwelt. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "and·journeyed" (וַיִּסַּ֣ע), "at·Nineveh" (בְּנִֽינְוֵֽה). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·dwelt" (root ישב, 71x in Isaiah); "and·went" (root הלך, 60x in Isaiah); "and·returned" (root שוב, 51x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'king·of·Assyria', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַיִּסַּ֣ע [and·journeyed] (146) + וַיֵּ֔לֶךְ [and·went] (66) + וַיָּ֖שׇׁב [and·returned] (318) + סַנְחֵרִ֣יב [Sennacherib] (330) + מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֑וּר [king·of·Assyria] (597) + וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב [and·dwelt] (318) + בְּנִֽינְוֵֽה [at·Nineveh] (123) = 1898.
Rashi
"And he dwelt in Nineveh." This was the capital of the kingdom, as it is stated: "Out of that land Asshur went forth, and built Nineveh" (Genesis 10:11).
Metzudat David
In Nineveh. It is the head of the kingdom of Assyria:
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sarezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
verse value 5213
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 85 letters. Notable word values: "they·struck·him" (הִכֻּ֣הוּ) = 36, double chai. Verse gematria: 5213 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "he" (ה֨וּא, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·Adrammelech" (וְֽאַדְרַמֶּ֨לֶךְ, 7 letters). 9 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Isaiah. Unique to this verse in Isaiah (hapax): "worshipping" (מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֜ה), "Nisroch" (נִסְרֹ֣ךְ), "and·Adrammelech" (וְֽאַדְרַמֶּ֨לֶךְ). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·it·was" (root היה, 213x in Isaiah); "land" (root ארץ, 169x in Isaiah); "he" (root הוא, 98x in Isaiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Ararat', dividing the verse into phrases of 15 and 4 words.
Rashi
Beit Nesrukh. "Neser" is derived from Noah's ark, as explicitly stated in the Aggadah of Cheilek.
"Strike him with the sword." For he said, "If you save me, so that the princes of my kingdom, whom I brought among their children here and who died, will not kill me, I will bring two of my sons before you." They stood and killed him.
Metzudat David
Beit Nesrukh. “Neser” is from the ark of Noah; he had an idol, and at the time that he prostrated himself before it, his sons struck him.
“And they” – the sons of Sennacherib, who struck him down.
Metzudat David
Malbim