Isaiah 37:23-24
“‘Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights? Against the Holy One of Israel! By your servants you have mocked the Lord, and you have said, With my many chariots I have gone up the heights of the mountains, to the far recesses of Lebanon, to cut down its tallest cedars, its choicest cypresses, to come to its remotest height, its most fruitful forest.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Rabshakeh's proud boasts and lifted eyes weren't just directed at a human king or a distant deity, but specifically against the "Holy One of Israel." This title, used frequently by Isaiah, highlights God's unique, unapproachable purity and power, revealing the profound insult of mocking Him. It underscores that this wasn't a mere political dispute, but a cosmic confrontation with the very character of God.
This verse is Isaiah's powerful, divinely inspired response to the arrogant Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, who had just taunted Jerusalem and threatened its people, daring them to trust their God. Rabshakeh had sent messengers with a blasphemous message, boasting about Assyria's power and mocking Israel's God. Isaiah's words here tear down Rabshakeh's pride by revealing the true target of his insolence: not just a city or a people, but the Holy One of Israel Himself, who would not stand for such defiance.
Rabshakeh's boastful speech echoes through the ages. But who was he really talking to, and what does that reveal about God?
Rabshakeh, the Assyrian envoy, delivers a message filled with scorn and threats against King Hezekiah and the people of Judah. He mocks their trust in the Lord, belittles their faith, and confidently predicts their downfall.
The Arrogance of Pride
Notice how Isaiah 37:23 describes Rabshakeh’s actions: he has 'exalted thy voice' and 'lifted up thine eyes on high.' This isn't just loud shouting; it's a posture of haughtiness, a defiant arrogance aimed at the heavens. He's not just speaking to Hezekiah; he’s posturing before the divine.
The True Target
The profound truth here is who this pride is ultimately directed against. It's not just a human king or a vulnerable nation. The verse powerfully reveals the ultimate target: 'even against the Holy One of Israel!' Every insult, every threat, every boastful word lands directly at the feet of God Himself.
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He's called 'the Holy One of Israel.' What does this title tell us about God's reaction to blasphemy, and why does it matter so much?
The phrase 'the Holy One of Israel' is a signature title for God in Isaiah’s prophecy. It’s not just a name; it’s a declaration of His core character.
What 'Holy' Means
Holiness, in the biblical sense, speaks to God's absolute purity, His set-apart nature, and His complete moral perfection. He is utterly distinct from His creation, and especially from sin and rebellion.
God's Indignation
Because God is holy, He cannot tolerate mockery and blasphemy. He reacts with righteous indignation to those who defy Him. Rabshakeh’s arrogance, aimed at this Holy One, is not a trivial offense. It’s an assault on divine character itself. God’s holiness means He will address such rebellion, not out of petty ego, but out of His perfect justice and truth.
Understand the original words
Qadosh Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A theological title for God emphasizing His moral purity, set-apartness, and transcendence. It highlights the distinction between the Creator and the creation, asserting His absolute authority over all nations and idols.
ebed · Hebrew Noun
A term used to describe those under the authority of a ruler or those who carry out the work of a master. In a spiritual sense, it denotes submission to either God or a worldly power, often illustrating the medium through which pride or obedience is expressed.
Adonay · Hebrew Noun
A term for the sovereign ruler or owner, often used to contrast the humility required before the Almighty with the arrogance of human kings. It implies ownership, authority, and the right to command.
This verse is spoken by the prophet Isaiah directly to the Assyrian envoy, Rabshakeh, in the midst of the terrifying siege of Jerusalem. It highlights the profound arrogance of mocking God Himself, not just a human king or city.
c. 705–681 BC
Reign of Sennacherib of Assyria
Sennacherib becomes king of Assyria, a powerful empire that frequently clashed with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This campaign is a major event in the history of Judah.
701 BC
Rabshakeh's Blasphemous Speech
Sennacherib's envoy, Rabshakeh, delivers a taunting and blasphemous message to Jerusalem, directly challenging God's ability to protect his people.
701 BC
Miraculous Destruction of Assyrian Army
An angel of the Lord strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw from Jerusalem.
c. 681 BC
Assassination of Sennacherib
Sennacherib is murdered by two of his own sons, leading to a succession crisis in Assyria.
This passage shows David confronting Goliath, who was also mocking and blaspheming God's people and God Himself, highlighting the audacity of challenging the Lord's chosen.
Psalm 2:1-4These verses describe the nations raging and plotting against the Lord and His Anointed, mirroring the proud defiance shown by Sennacherib against God's people and God Himself.
Ezekiel 28:2-10This passage details God's judgment against the king of Tyre for his pride and arrogance, showing a similar pattern of a powerful ruler lifting himself up against God.
Romans 1:22-23This New Testament passage speaks of people exchanging the truth about God for a lie and worshiping created things, reflecting the foolishness of mocking the Creator, the Holy One of Israel.
cambridgeIsaiah 37:23: "Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel."
23 . “What sort of being is He whom thou hast defied?” The first two sentences are rhetorical questions, and require no answer. The last sentence is to be read as an affirmation: Yea, thou hast lifted up thine eyes to the height against the Holy One of Israel . To “lift up the voice” means here to speak proudly, not as oft…
clarkeIsaiah 37:23: "Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel."
Against the Holy One of Israel - For אל el, to, the other copy has על al, against, rather more properly.
Rabshakeh's proud boasts and lifted eyes weren't just directed at a human king or a distant deity, but specifically against the "Holy One of Israel." This title, used frequently by Isaiah, highlights God's unique, unapproachable purity and power, revealing the profound insult of mocking Him. It underscores that this wasn't a mere political dispute, but a cosmic confrontation with the very character of God.
This verse is Isaiah's powerful, divinely inspired response to the arrogant Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, who had just taunted Jerusalem and threatened its people, daring them to trust their God. Rabshakeh had sent messengers with a blasphemous message, boasting about Assyria's power and mocking Israel's God. Isaiah's words here tear down Rabshakeh's pride by revealing the true target of his insolence: not just a city or a people, but the Holy One of Israel Himself, who would not stand for such defiance.
This verse is Isaiah's powerful, divinely inspired response to the arrogant Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, who had just taunted Jerusalem and threatened its people, daring them to trust their God. Rabshakeh had sent messengers with a blasphemous message, boasting about Assyria's power and mocking Israel's God. Isaiah's words here tear down Rabshakeh's pride by revealing the true target of his insolence: not just a city or a people, but the Holy One of Israel Himself, who would not stand for such defiance.
"“‘Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights? Against the Holy One of Israel! By your servants you have mocked the Lord, and you have said, With…" — Rabshakeh's proud boasts and lifted eyes weren't just directed at a human king or a distant deity, but specifically against the "Holy One of Israel." This title, used frequently by Isaiah, highlights…
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