2 Kings 19 29

2 Kings 19:29 kjv

And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.

2 Kings 19:29 nkjv

'This shall be a sign to you: You shall eat this year such as grows of itself, And in the second year what springs from the same; Also in the third year sow and reap, Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.

2 Kings 19:29 niv

"This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah: "This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

2 Kings 19:29 esv

"And this shall be the sign for you: this year eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs of the same. Then in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.

2 Kings 19:29 nlt

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Here is the proof that what I say is true: "This year you will eat only what grows up by itself,
and next year you will eat what springs up from that.
But in the third year you will plant crops and harvest them;
you will tend vineyards and eat their fruit.

2 Kings 19 verses

2 Kings 19 29 Meaning

This verse conveys a prophecy from the Lord, given through Isaiah to King Hezekiah, concerning the aftermath of God's promised deliverance from the Assyrians. It serves as a sign that the deliverance is certain and will be complete. For two years, Judah will experience supernatural provision, eating from what grows spontaneously, compensating for the disruption caused by the Assyrian siege. In the third year, they will return to normal agricultural life, sowing, reaping, planting vineyards, and enjoying their produce, signifying the full restoration of peace, stability, and God's blessing on their land.

2 Kings 19 29 Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's direct prophetic message to King Hezekiah, delivered in response to the aggressive and blasphemous letter sent by Sennacherib, King of Assyria (2 Kgs 19:10-13). Sennacherib boasted of his military might and the impotence of the gods of other nations to save them from Assyrian conquest, implicitly challenging Yahweh. Hezekiah had spread the letter before the Lord in the temple and prayed for deliverance (2 Kgs 19:14-19). This specific verse provides a practical, verifiable sign to assure Hezekiah and the people of Judah that God has heard their prayer and will indeed defend Jerusalem (2 Kgs 19:20-34). The previous verses promised Assyria's defeat; this verse details the restorative provision and future normalcy for Judah after that imminent threat. It connects divine deliverance to tangible earthly blessing and continuity of life.

2 Kings 19 29 Word analysis

• And this shall be the sign (וְזֶה־לְּךָ הָאֹֽות / ve zeh-lekha hā’ôt):
  • וְזֶה־לְּךָ / ve zeh-lekha: "And this for you." This emphatic opening signifies a direct and personal assurance given to Hezekiah, yet representing Judah.
  • הָאֹֽות / hā’ôt: "the sign." A divine confirmation, proof, or miraculous indication of the certainty of a prophecy or promise. It is tangible and verifiable. It confirms God's faithfulness and ability to act in history.
• you shall eat this year what grows of itself (הַשָּׁנָה סָפִית / ha-shānâ sāphîaḥ):
  • תֹּאכְל֞וּ / to’khᵉlû: "you shall eat." A direct divine command or strong declaration of what will happen.
  • הַשָּׁנָה / ha-shānâ: "this year." Refers to the immediate year following the Assyrian retreat, which was likely already late in the growing season, preventing a normal planting.
  • סָפִית / sāphîaḥ: "what grows of itself." Literally, "that which shoots up" or "sprout." This refers to volunteer growth from fallen seeds of the previous year or residual crops, implying a natural yet divinely managed provision without human effort. This echoes the concept of the Sabbatical Year (Lev 25:5).
• and in the second year what springs from the same (וּבַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁנִית שָׁחִיס / ūvashānâ hashēnîṯ shāḥîs):
  • וּבַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁנִית / ūvashānâ hashēnîṯ: "and in the second year." Extends the period of this specific type of provision. This suggests the effects of the Assyrian invasion might linger, or a further period of rest for the land, but still under God's provision.
  • שָּׁחִיס / shāḥîs: "what springs from the same." Similar to sāphîaḥ, often interpreted as "re-growth," "stubble-growth," or again, spontaneous growth from the land. It denotes reliance on God's provision without normal agricultural work.
• and in the third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards and eat their fruit (וּבַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁלִישִׁית תִּזְרְעוּ וְקָצָ֑רוּ וְנִטְעוּ כְרָמִים וְאִכְל֖וּ פִּרְיָֽם / ūvashānâ hashshĕlîshît tizra‘û wᵉqāṣārû wᵉniṭ‘û kᵉrāmîm wᵉ’ikhəlû piryām):
  • וּבַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁלִישִׁית / ūvashānâ hashshĕlîshît: "and in the third year." Marks the culmination and the return to normalcy.
  • תִּזְרְעוּ וְקָצָ֑רוּ / tizra‘û wᵉqāṣārû: "sow and reap." Restoration of standard, blessed agricultural practices. This shows full restoration and divine blessing on their labor.
  • וְנִטְעוּ כְרָמִים / wᵉniṭ‘û kᵉrāmîm: "and plant vineyards." This is a long-term investment. Planting vineyards requires years before fruit is produced, signifying confidence in a sustained future of peace and prosperity, guaranteed by God.
  • וְאִכְל֖וּ פִּרְיָֽם / wᵉ’ikhəlû piryām: "and eat their fruit." The enjoyment of the fruit of their labor, a symbol of well-being, security, and fulfilled promise.

2 Kings 19 29 Bonus section

The fulfillment of this sign would have served as powerful concrete evidence for Hezekiah and the surviving Judeans that the Lord indeed was God alone and His word was true. This economic restoration mirrors the spiritual and national renewal experienced under Hezekiah. The sequence (supernatural provision then return to normal blessed labor) underscores a biblical principle: God first intervenes supernaturally, demonstrating His power and authority, and then enables and blesses human endeavor within a restored, divinely-ordered framework. It illustrates the complete nature of God's deliverance—from threat, to immediate sustenance, to long-term prosperity and security in the promised land.

2 Kings 19 29 Commentary

2 Kings 19:29 functions as a pivotal divine assurance, extending beyond the immediate military victory to address the crucial practical survival and future of the people. Following the Assyrian siege, Judah's agricultural cycle would be disrupted. God, through Isaiah, provides a verifiable three-year sign demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation and His unfailing covenant faithfulness.

The first two years' "eating what grows of itself" ("sāphîaḥ" and "shāḥîs") is miraculous provision. It highlights that God does not just deliver from external enemies but sustains life. This resonates with earlier instances of divine provision for Israel in the wilderness (e.g., manna, Exod 16). It also implies a rest for the land, possibly linked to the sabbatical year principle, yet commanded by God outside of the regular seven-year cycle due to unique circumstances. This period showcases divine sustainment even in the absence of human toil, a stark contrast to Assyria's intent to desolate the land.

The "third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards and eat their fruit" is the culmination of the sign. This signifies a return to settled, productive, and blessed life, marked by agricultural prosperity. Planting vineyards is particularly significant as it implies long-term confidence and stability, demonstrating that the threat is not just temporarily averted but completely removed. It confirms that the Lord, not the Assyrian deities of fertility and war, controls the land's fruitfulness and the nation's destiny. This restoration is God's response to Sennacherib's blasphemous challenge, affirming Yahweh's unique power and protective care for His people. It shows the true God not only protects His people militarily but also guarantees their ongoing life and prosperity in the land.