THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Why didn't Hezekiah seek out the prophet directly? He found greater assurance and effectiveness in approaching God.
Isaiah 37:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And he sent Eliacim who was over the house, and Sobna the scribe, and the ancients of the priests covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the son of Amos the prophet.
וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח אֶת־אֶלְיָקִ֨ים אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַבַּ֜יִת וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שֶׁבְנָ֣א הַסּוֹפֵ֗ר וְאֵת֙ זִקְנֵ֣י הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים מִתְכַּסִּ֖ים בַּשַּׂקִּ֑ים אֶל־יְשַֽׁעְיָ֥הוּ בֶן־אָמ֖וֹץ הַנָּבִֽיא׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Cyrill of Alexandria
The king instructed those in prominent positions among the priests, who were highly esteemed according to the law, to approach the revered prophet Isaiah. Instead of wearing sacred attire or suitable garments for public duties, they appeared in tattered clothes symbolizing their suffering. They were to convey to Isaiah that a period of distress and scorn had descended upon them. This seemed as though God was revealing the disgrace of the inhabitants of the holy city due to their failure to uphold the justice mandated by the law. Isaiah chastised the wrongdoers and highlighted the consequences of divine retribution they faced. They articulated that their condition resembled that of a woman in labor, enduring great pain due to her inability to deliver.
Read more (112 words)
Isaiah wished that the Almighty might hear through him the words spoken by Rapsak, which had reached his ears. He did not hide from Isaiah any of the calamities that had already occurred, as many homes in other cities had been destroyed and consumed by fire. He urged, let us pray for those who remain. The devout Hezekiah sought aid from a prophet, someone who was close to God. Thus, it is appropriate to pray to the Lord through the intercession of the saints, for it is often on their behalf that God listens to prayers and is moved even to tears for those who are accustomed to a life of ease.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Isa 1:1The vision of Isaiah the Son of Amos, which he saw concerning Juda and Jerusalem in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda.
- Isa 36:3And there went out to him Eliacim the son of Helcias, who was over the house, and Sobna the scribe, and Joahe the son of Asaph the recorder.
- 2 Chr 20:20And they rose early in the morning, and went out through the desert of Thecua: and as they were marching, Josaphat standing in the midst of them, said: Hear me, ye men of Juda, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be secure: believe his prophets, and all things shall succeed well.
- Joel 1:13Gird yourselves, and lament, O ye priests, howl, ye ministers of the altars: go in, lie in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: because sacrifice and libation is cut off from the house of your God.
- Isa 37:14And Ezechias took the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it, and went up to the house of the Lord, and Ezechias spread it before the Lord.