“Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's promise here is incredibly specific, detailing precisely how the Assyrian king will fail: not only will he not conquer the city, but he won't even be allowed to begin the standard actions of a siege like shooting arrows or building mounds. This isn't just a general assurance of safety; it’s a detailed repudiation of every aspect of the enemy’s military strategy.
“Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Assyrian king Sennacherib has just sent a terrifying ultimatum to King Hezekiah and Jerusalem, boasting of his conquests and threatening total destruction. Hezekiah, after praying earnestly and seeking counsel from the prophet Isaiah, has received a divine promise of protection. This verse, therefore, is God's direct answer, assuring Jerusalem that Sennacherib's massive siege preparations will ultimately fail and he will not breach their defenses.
Sennacherib's army was a fearsome war machine, skilled in siege warfare. Yet, God's promise here isn't about Jerusalem's walls holding strong. What does that tell us about where true security lies?
Isaiah 37:33 is a powerful declaration of God’s direct intervention. The Assyrian king is described with specific methods of siege warfare:
The prophecy isn't that Jerusalem's defenses are impenetrable, but that the Assyrian army will not engage in these actions. This highlights that Jerusalem’s safety wasn't primarily due to its military strength, but to God’s active decision to protect it. The threat was immense, but God’s power to stop it was even greater.
This isn't just a promise of safety; it's a strong word from the Lord against the king of Assyria. How does this verse reveal God's ultimate authority over even the mightiest empires?
The phrase 'Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria' marks this as a divine oracle, a direct pronouncement from God. It's not a prediction based on political analysis, but a sovereign decree.
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This prophecy was delivered at a moment of extreme crisis for Jerusalem. The Assyrian army, fresh from conquering other nations, was at the city's doorstep, and their king, Sennacherib, was confident of victory. Isaiah's words were a direct, powerful reassurance to Hezekiah and his people that despite the overwhelming military might arrayed against them, God would intervene decisively to protect His city.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and threatening Jerusalem. Hezekiah, king of Judah, initially pays tribute but then seeks divine intervention.
c. 701 BC
Rabshakeh's Taunts
Sennacherib's envoy, Rabshakeh, delivers a defiant and blasphemous message to Jerusalem, taunting Hezekiah and the people, and mocking their trust in the LORD.
c. 701 BC
Hezekiah's Prayer and Isaiah's Prophecy
Hezekiah prays fervently in the Temple, and the prophet Isaiah delivers a prophecy assuring Jerusalem's protection and Sennacherib's imminent downfall.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention
The LORD sends an angel who strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp overnight, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Retreat and Death
Sennacherib withdraws from Jerusalem and returns to Nineveh, where he is later assassinated by his own sons.
This passage describes the immediate aftermath of Isaiah's prophecy, detailing how the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp, directly fulfilling the Lord's promise of protection and demonstrating divine intervention.
Isaiah 10:5-6This earlier prophecy identifies Assyria as an instrument of God's judgment, but also declares that God will ultimately judge Assyria for its arrogance and cruelty, paralleling the theme of divine intervention against an overconfident enemy.
Psalm 46:1-3This psalm speaks of God as a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, assuring that even if the earth gives way and mountains fall into the sea, the city of God will not be moved, mirroring the unshakeable protection promised to Jerusalem here.
2 Kings 18:31-32This passage directly precedes the dialogue in Isaiah, showing Rabshakeh's taunts and Hezekiah's plea to God, setting the stage for Isaiah's prophecy of deliverance and highlighting the trust placed in the Lord despite outward threats.
barnesIsaiah 37:33: "Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it."
He shall not come into this city - Sennacherib encamped probably on the northeast side of the city, and his army was destroyed there (see the notes at Isaiah 10:28 ff.) Nor shoot an arrow there - That is, nor shoot an arrow within the walls of the city. Nor come before it with shields - (See the not…
cambridgeIsaiah 37:33: "Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it."
33 . Therefore probably attaches itself to “whereas” in Isaiah 37:21 (see the note on that verse). 33–35 . An assurance that Jehovah will protect Jerusalem, in answer to Hezekiah’s prayer.
God's promise here is incredibly specific, detailing precisely how the Assyrian king will fail: not only will he not conquer the city, but he won't even be allowed to begin the standard actions of a siege like shooting arrows or building mounds. This isn't just a general assurance of safety; it’s a detailed repudiation of every aspect of the enemy’s military strategy.
The Assyrian king Sennacherib has just sent a terrifying ultimatum to King Hezekiah and Jerusalem, boasting of his conquests and threatening total destruction. Hezekiah, after praying earnestly and seeking counsel from the prophet Isaiah, has received a divine promise of protection. This verse, therefore, is God's direct answer, assuring Jerusalem that Sennacherib's massive siege preparations will ultimately fail and he will not breach their defenses.
The Assyrian king Sennacherib has just sent a terrifying ultimatum to King Hezekiah and Jerusalem, boasting of his conquests and threatening total destruction. Hezekiah, after praying earnestly and seeking counsel from the prophet Isaiah, has received a divine promise of protection. This verse, therefore, is God's direct answer, assuring Jerusalem that Sennacherib's massive siege preparations will ultimately fail and he will not breach their defenses.
"“Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it." — God's promise here is incredibly specific, detailing precisely how the Assyrian king will fail: not only will he not conquer the city, but he won't even be allowed to begin the standard actions of…
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Last reviewed October 2026