Isaiah 37:38 - Exposition

Nisroch his god . The name Nisroch has not been found in the Assyrian inscriptions, and is, in fact, read only in this place and the parallel passage of Kings ( 2 Kings 19:37 ). It has been supposed to represent Nusku, an Assyrian god of a somewhat low position, who, however, does not obtain mention in the historical inscriptions until the time of Asshur-bani-pal. Probably the name has suffered corruption. Asshur was, in fact, Sennacherib's favourite deity, and it is remarkable that the LXX . give in this place, not Nisroch, but Asarach. "Asarach" would seem to be "Asshur" with a guttural suffix. Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him. The murder of Sennacherib by a son, whom he called "Ardumazanes," was related by Polyhistor (ap. Euseb; 'Chronicles Can.,' Isaiah 1:5 , § l). Esar-haddon's annals are imperfect at the commencement, but show that his authority was at first contested, and that he had to establish it by force of arms. Adrammelech seems to have assumed the title of king (Abyden. up. Euscb; 'Chronicles Can.,' 1.9, § 1), and to have been put to death by his brother. Sharezer is not elsewhere mentioned. The name is Assyrian, as far as it goes, but is incomplete. Its full form was probably Nabu-sar-uzur or Nergal-sar-uzur. And escaped into the land of Armenia. So Moses of Chorene ('Hist. Armen.,' Isaiah 1:22 ). The Hebrew word is Ararat (Assyrian Urardu or Urartu ), which was the more eastern portion of Armenia, and lay beyond the sphere of Assyrian influence. Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead. Esarhaddon (Asshur-akh iddiua) appears to have ascended the throne in b.c. 681. It is highly improbable that Isaiah was then living, and therefore the verse can scarcely be from his pen. It has probably been transferred from 2 Kings ( 2 Kings 19:37 ) in order to finish off the narrative. Esarhaddon outlived Hezekiah many years, and was brought into contact with Manasseh, whom he reckoned among his tributaries.