Isaiah 37:15 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ אֶל־ יְהוָ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר׃
BSAAnd HezekiahChizqîyâh [a king of Judah, son of Ahaz] prayedpâlal▸ [to intercede, to make petition] toʼêl [toward, in the direction of] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ | and he prayed | Verb, Hithpael, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ | Hezekiah | Noun proper masculine |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| יְהוָ֖ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| לֵאמֹֽר׃ | saying | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: |
| KJV | And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying, |
| ASV | And Hezekiah prayed unto Jehovah, saying, |
| YLT | And Hezekiah prayeth unto Jehovah, saying, |
| WEB | Hezekiah prayed to Yahweh, saying, |
| BBE | And he made prayer to the Lord, saying, |
Where they part company is יְהוָ֖ה — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb with a prepositional phrase indicating direction and an infinitive phrase describing the action.




5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, AdamClarke, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
subjectחִזְקִיָּהוּ
verbפָּלַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 37:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Hezekiah's Prayergenerated
Isaiah 37:15 captures a moment of desperation for King Hezekiah, who, upon receiving a threatening letter from Sennacherib, seeks divine intervention. Hezekiah's prayer reflects his reliance on God during a time of national crisis, emphasizing the importance of turning to God for guidance and support. This act of prayer is foundational in the narrative, illustrating the king's faith and leadership in Judah.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 7:8–9 | and said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 7:18–29 | Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? |
| 3 | 2 Kings 19:15–19 | And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 14:11 | Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.” |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 20:6–12 | and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙, vai.yit.pa.Lelgenerated
The verb פָּלַל (palal) means to pray or intercede, emphasizing the act of making a petition to God. This particular form, Hithpael, indicates a reflexive or reciprocal action, suggesting that Hezekiah is not only praying for himself but also for the people of Judah.
Hezekiah's prayer is a personal and communal act, showing his role as a leader who intercedes on behalf of his nation. The act of praying is not merely a ritual but a deep expression of reliance on God's strength and mercy.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ governs the entire clause, with the subject חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ directly preceding it. This structure places emphasis on Hezekiah's action of praying, highlighting his initiative in seeking God's help.
The phrase אֶל־ יְהוָ֖ה indicates the direction of his prayer, showing that Hezekiah is turning to the LORD, which is a common expression in Hebrew for seeking divine assistance.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ as προσεύχατο which means 'he prayed' or 'he offered a prayer'. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but emphasizes the act of devotion in a more formalized manner.
The Greek word προσεύχατο suggests a structured approach to prayer, reflecting the cultural context of prayer in the Hellenistic world, where formal prayers were common.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 37:15 shows Hezekiah, the king of Judah, praying to the LORD. Hezekiah is seeking God's help in a time of crisis, demonstrating the importance of prayer in his leadership and faith.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Hezekiah's prayer signifies a deep reliance on God during a time of crisis, highlighting the importance of seeking divine intervention.
Prayer is important in this context as it represents Hezekiah's faith and leadership, showing that he turns to God for guidance and support.
We can learn the value of prayer and intercession, especially in difficult times, and the importance of seeking God's direction.
Hezekiah's prayer reflects his character as a devoted leader who relies on God and intercedes for his people.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I seek God's guidance in my life, similar to Hezekiah's prayer?
- How can I support others in prayer during their times of crisis?
- What does it mean to me to intercede for others?
- How can I strengthen my own prayer life based on Hezekiah's example?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 37:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying. He did not return railing for railing, but committed himself and his cause to him that judgeth righteously; he did not write an answer to the letter
Read John Gill on Isaiah 37 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 37 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. Unto the Lord - "Before JEHOVAH"] That is, in the sanctuary. For אל el, the Syriac, Chaldee, and the other copy, 2Kg 19:15, read לפני liphney, "before the face."
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 37 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14–20. Hezekiah’s prayer in the Temple. Cheyne refers to a striking parallel in the Egyptian version of Sennacherib’s overthrow. “On this the monarch (Sethos), greatly distressed, entered into the inner sanctuary, and before the image of the god (Ptah) bewailed the fate which impended over him. As he wept he fell asleep, and dreamed that the god came and stood by his side, bidding him be of good cheer, and go boldly forth to meet the Arabian (Assyrian) host, which would do him no hurt, as he himself would send those who should help him” (Herod. II. 141, Rawlinson).
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 37 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible14-20. The insulting message above noted was in the form of a letter, which Hezekiah piously spread before the Lord in the temple — an act of prayer passing at length into vocal utterance, (Isaiah
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 37 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD:
Hezekiah prayed to Yahweh, saying,
And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD:
Hezekiah prayed before the Lord:
Tyndale line
And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,
And Hezekiah prayed unto Jehovah, saying,
And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,
And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying,
And Hezekiah prayed vnto the Lord, saying,
Strictly literal
And Hezekiah prayed to Jehovah, saying,
And Hezekiah prayeth unto Jehovah, saying,
And Hezekiah prays to YHWH, saying,
And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying,
Hezekiah prayed to Yahweh:
From the Latin
And Ezechias prayed to the Lord, saying:
Simplified
Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying,
And he made prayer to the Lord, saying,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The witnesses, including the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint, agree on the wording of this verse, with the Dead Sea Scrolls confirming the key elements of the prayer. All sources present Hezekiah's prayer as a direct appeal to God, emphasizing its significance.
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ אֶל־ יְהוָ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויתפלל חוזקיה אל יהוה לאמור
5 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 37:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
פָּלַל (palal) is a Hebrew verb that primarily means to intervene or interpose, with a significant focus on the act of praying. It encompasses various forms, including mediation and judgment, particularly in the Piel and Hithpael stems, which emphasize intercession and supplication. The entries suggest a connection to both personal and communal prayer, though no specific Old Testament verses are cited.
[פָּלַל] 84 vb. prob. intervene, interpose
Pi. mediate, judge
Hithp.
specif. intercede
gen. pray
pray
of poetical, liturgical prayer
base
H6419 פָּלַל prob. intervene, interpose
6419 palal paw-lal'
a primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by
extension, to intercede, pray:--intreat, judge(-ment), (make)
pray(-er, -ing), make supplication.
פָּלַל (pa.lal) — to pray.
1) to intervene, interpose, pray
1a) (Piel) to mediate, judge
1b)(Hithpael)
1b1) to intercede
1b2) to pray
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vtw3ms
חִזְקִיָּהוּ (Hizqiyahu) means "Jehovah is my strength" and refers primarily to Hezekiah, the 12th king of Judah, known for his religious reforms. The name is derived from the roots meaning 'to strengthen' and 'Jah' (a form of Jehovah). Hezekiah is noted for his lineage as a descendant of David and is mentioned in various contexts, including his role during the Divided Monarchy and the Exile.
חִזְקִיָּהוּ, חִזְקִיָּה, יְחִזְקִיָּהוּ, יְחִזְקִיָּה n.pr.m. (י׳ hath strengthened, י׳ strengtheneth)
son of Ahaz, King of Judah
great-great-grandson pf proph. Zephaniah
man of royal Davidic line
head of a family of returned exiles
an Ephraimite, Ahaz’s time
base
H2396 חִזְקִיָּהוּ, חִזְקִיָּה, יְחִזְקִיָּהוּ, יְחִזְקִיָּה (י׳ hath strengthened, י׳ strengtheneth)
2396 Chizqiyah khiz-kee-yaw'
or Chizqiyahuw {khiz-kee-yaw'-hoo}; also Ychizqiyah
{yekh-iz-kee-yaw'}; or Ychizqiyahuw {yekh-iz-kee-yaw'-hoo};
from 2388 and 3050; strengthened of Jah; Chizkijah, a king of
Judah, also the name of two other Israelites:--Hezekiah,
Hizkiah, Hizkijah. Compare 3169.
see HEBREW for 02388
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03169
חִזְקִיָּהוּ (chiz.qiy.yah) — Hezekiah.
A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.16.20;
son of: Ahaz (H0271) and Abi (H0021);
brother of: Maaseiah (H4641J); married to Hephzibah (H2657);
father of: Manasseh (H4519H)
§ Hezekiah or Hizkiah or Hizkijah = "Jehovah is my strength"
1) 12th king of Judah, son of Ahaz and Abijah; a good king in that he served Jehovah and did away with idolatrous practices
2) great-great-grandfather of Zephaniah the prophet
3) son of Neariah, a descendant of David
4) head of a family of returning exiles in the time of Nehemiah
חִזְקִיָּהוּ (chiz.qiy.yah) — Hizkiah.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.3.23;
son of: Neariah (H5294);
brother of: Elioenai (H0454B) and Azrikam (H5840)
§ Hezekiah or Hizkiah or Hizkijah = "Jehovah is my strength"
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Hezekiah
Whom Jehovah has strengthened. (1.) Son of Ahaz (2 Kings 18:1; 2 Chr. 29:1), whom he succeeded on the throne of the kingdom of Judah. He reigned twenty-nine years (B.C. 726-697). The history of this king is contained in 2 Kings 18:20, Isa. 36-39, and 2 Chr. 29-32. He is spoken of as a great and good king. In public life he followed the example of his great-granfather Uzziah. He set himself to abolish idolatry from his kingdom, and among other things which he did for this end, he destroyed the “brazen serpent,” which had been removed to Jerusalem, and had become an object of idolatrous worship (Num. 21:9). A great reformation was wrought in the kingdom of Judah in…
(the might of Jehovah). Twelfth king of Judah, son of the apostate Ahaz and Abi or Abijah, ascended the throne at the age of 25, B.C. 726. Hezekiah was one of the three most perfect kings of Judah. (2 Kings 18:5) Ecclus. 49:4. His first act was to purge and repair and reopen with splendid sacrifices and perfect ceremonial the temple. He also destroyed a brazen serpent, said to have been the one used by Moses in the miraculous healing of the Israelites, (Numbers 21:9) which had become an object of adoration. When the kingdom of Israel had fallen, Hezekiah invited the scattered inhabitants to a peculiar passover, which was continued for the unprecedented period of fourteen days. (2 Chronicles 29:30,31) At the head of a repentant…
A pious king of Judah, succeeded his father Ahaz about 726 B. C., and died about 698 B. C. His history is contained in 2Ki 18:12-21 2Ch 29:1-32:33. Compare Isa 36:1-38:22. His reign is memorable for his faithful efforts to restore the worship of Jehovah; for his pride and presumption towards the Assyrians; for the distractions of their invading host in answer to his prayer; for his sickness and humiliation, and the prolonging of his life fifteen years of peace. He was succeeded by the unworthy Manasseh.
strength of the Lord
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
HR/Vqcc — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
