Isaiah 37:13

Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?

Study Helps

Interpretation

This verse speaks in the wider setting of holiness and judgment as Isaiah unfolds its message.

Read with

This thought runs through Isaiah 37:11-13.

Arpad Place: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell Rifat.
City People: The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).
Hamath Place: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Hama.
Hena Place: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Anah.
Ivvah Place: Overturning, a city of the Assyrians, whence colonists were brought to Samaria ( 2 Kings 18:34 ; 19:13 ). It lay on the Euphrates, between Sepharvaim and Henah, and is supposed by some to have been the Ahava of Ezra (8:15). Modern identification: Kafr Aya.
Sepharvaim Place: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: between Damascus and Hamath.