Isaiah 36:7 Meaning and Explanation
“But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Rabshakeh counters trust in God by attacking Hezekiah's religious reforms and claiming they have angered God.
The Context of Isaiah 36:7
Rabshakeh attacks Hezekiah's religious reforms as having angered the LORD.
What Does Isaiah 36:7 Mean?
Hezekiah had implemented significant religious reforms, removing high places and altars used in pagan worship and centralizing worship at the Jerusalem temple. Rabshakeh seizes on this, arguing that Hezekiah's reforms have actually angered the Lord rather than pleased Him. By destroying the old worship sites, the argument goes, Hezekiah has cut himself off from divine protection.
This is a cunning theological attack. Rabshakeh attempts to poison the very source of confidence Hezekiah might have—trust in God. He suggests that God is actually working against Hezekiah because of his religious changes. The strategy is to eliminate all possible grounds for confidence: not military strength, not Egyptian help, and now not even divine protection.
Isaiah 36:7 in the Original Language
high places (בָּמוֹת, 'bamot') — shrines or altars on elevated locations, often associated with pagan worship; Hezekiah removed these to centralize worship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 36:7
What does Isaiah 36:7 mean?
Rabshakeh counters trust in God by attacking Hezekiah's religious reforms and claiming they have angered God.
What is the context of Isaiah 36:7?
Rabshakeh attacks Hezekiah's religious reforms as having angered the LORD.