Isaiah 37:16

16 "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who art enthroned above the cherubim, thou art the God, thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 37:16 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 37:16

O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the
cherubim
Or, "the inhabitant of the cherubim" ^F12; which were over the mercy seat, the residence of the Shechinah, or Majesty of God, the symbol of the divine Presence in the holy of holies; a title which the God of Israel, the Lord of armies in heaven, and earth bears, and distinguishes him from all other gods, and which several titles carry in them arguments to strengthen faith in prayer; being "the Lord of hosts", he was able to do whatsoever was desired, and more abundantly; being "the God of Israel", their covenant God, it might be hoped and expected he would protect and defend them; and sitting "between the cherubim", on the mercy seat, great encouragement might be had that he would be gracious and merciful, and hear and help: thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth;
this is opposed to the conceit of Sennacherib, that he was only the God of the Jews, and had no concern with other kingdoms and nations; whereas all belong to him, and him only; they are all under his jurisdiction and dominion, and at his will and control: thou hast made heaven and earth;
and so has an indisputable right to the government of the whole world, and to the disposal of all things in it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 (Mybrkh bvy) "cherubim inhabitator", Forerius.

Isaiah 37:16 In-Context

14 Hezeki'ah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezeki'ah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

15 And Hezeki'ah prayed to the LORD:

16 "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who art enthroned above the cherubim, thou art the God, thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.

17 Incline thy ear, O LORD, and hear; open thy eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennach'erib, which he has sent to mock the living God.

18 Of a truth, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands,