Isaiah 36–39: Life and Death in The House of God

Abstract

Isa. 39:7–8 is the last of a series of texts in Isaiah 36–9 that share common themes and concerns and, therefore, illuminate each other (cf. 37:37–8; 38:22). In particular, these interconnected texts assist the interpretation of Hezekiah’s final enigmatic comments in 39:8. Following the account of the death of Sennacherib at the hands of his sons, a number of resonances are uncovered in the ensuing narrative about the fate of Hezekiah, which also has implications for the future of his sons. Sennacherib cannot keep himself alive, even while worshipping in the house of his patron god and in the company of his sons (37:37–8). By contrast, Hezekiah anticipates that after his reprieve from death, he and his sons will be found worshipping in the house of yHWH (38:20, 22). Finally, it is forecast that, precipitated by their father’s actions, some of the sons of Hezekiah due to castration and exile will be excluded from the worship of the house of yHWH (39:7), but Hezekiah expresses relief that this will not be his fate, instead he will continue to enjoy God-given ‘peace’ and divine ‘faithfulness’ through participation in the temple cult (39:8).