2 Kings 20 4

2 Kings 20:4 kjv

And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,

2 Kings 20:4 nkjv

And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,

2 Kings 20:4 niv

Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him:

2 Kings 20:4 esv

And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him:

2 Kings 20:4 nlt

But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the LORD:

2 Kings 20 verses

2 Kings 20 4 Meaning

This verse marks a dramatic and instantaneous turning point in the narrative of King Hezekiah's severe illness. Immediately following Hezekiah's fervent prayer for his life, and before the prophet Isaiah had even fully departed from the palace's inner precincts, the authoritative message of Yahweh came to Isaiah. This indicates an unprecedented speed of divine response, demonstrating God's immediate attentiveness, compassion, and willingness to alter His pronouncements in light of a repentant and earnest plea. It underscores God's active involvement in the lives of His people and the potent efficacy of heartfelt prayer.

2 Kings 20 4 Context

This verse is situated at a pivotal moment within the larger narrative of King Hezekiah's life. Previously, in 2 Kings 20:1-3, Hezekiah had received a dire prophecy from Isaiah, commissioned by God, declaring that his illness was fatal and he should set his house in order. Upon hearing this death sentence, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to God with deep lamentation, pleading his faithfulness and service. Immediately, 2 Kings 20:4 begins the account of God's astonishingly swift response. This event takes place during Hezekiah's reign (c. 715–686 BC), a period known for his reforms and reliance on God amidst Assyrian threats. The profound divine intervention in verse 4 highlights God's sovereignty over life and death and His responsiveness to humble, fervent prayer, radically altering a decreed outcome.

2 Kings 20 4 Word analysis

• Now it happened (וַיְהִי, vay'hi): A very common Hebrew narrative connective, typically translated as "And it came to pass" or "And it happened." In this context, it functions to indicate the immediacy and direct sequence of events. It bridges Hezekiah's prayer to God's instantaneous reply, emphasizing no time elapsed between the cry and the divine response.

• before Isaiah had gone out (טֶרֶם יֵצֵא יְשַׁעְיָהוּ, terem yetze Yeshayahu):

  • before (טֶרֶם, terem): A strong particle of negation regarding time, underscoring that the specified action (Isaiah's departure) had not yet occurred even for a brief moment. This conveys the extraordinary swiftness of the divine communication.
  • had gone out (יֵצֵא, yetze): From the verb יָצָא (yatsa), meaning "to go forth," "to exit," or "to depart." It literally describes Isaiah in the act of leaving the area.
  • Isaiah (יְשַׁעְיָהוּ, Yeshayahu): The name of the prophet, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." He served as God's messenger both in delivering the initial death decree and the subsequent life-extending message. His presence underscores divine communication through appointed individuals.

• of the middle court (מַחֲצִית הֶחָצֵר הַתִּיכֹונָה, machatsit hechatsēr hattîkônah):

  • middle (מַחֲצִית, machatsit): Literally "half," or "middle portion." This suggests Isaiah was still only halfway through his exit, perhaps within sight or hearing of the royal chambers.
  • court (הֶחָצֵר, hachetsēr): Refers to a courtyard or enclosure, typically within a palace complex. It denotes the area surrounding the royal apartments.
  • the middle (הַתִּיכֹונָה, hattîkônah): The definitive "the middle" adjective further emphasizes a specific central courtyard, implying an inner area, close to Hezekiah's private chambers. The combined phrase means he had not fully cleared the royal precinct, signifying that the revelation came before Isaiah could even travel a moderate distance. This detail highlights God's immediacy and active presence within the king's dwelling.

• that the word of the Lord came to him (וּדְבַר יְהוָה הָיָה אֵלָיו, u-dvar Adonai hayah elayv):

  • word (דְּבַר, davar): More than just a simple word; in Hebrew, davar denotes an authoritative pronouncement, a decree, an affair, a matter, or even an action. Here, it is a specific, powerful message from God.
  • the Lord (יְהוָה, Yahweh / Adonai): The sacred, personal, covenant name of God. Emphasizes the divine, ultimate source and authority of the message, establishing its truth and binding nature.
  • came to him (הָיָה אֵלָיו, hayah elayv): Literally "was to him," a standard prophetic formula indicating divine revelation, where God communicates directly to His prophet.

• saying (לֵאמֹר, lemor): A common Hebrew infinitive particle, meaning "to say" or "saying," used to introduce the direct quotation or content of the divine message that follows.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court": This entire phrase profoundly illustrates the absolute immediacy and rapidity of God's response. It negates any temporal gap, emphasizing that Hezekiah's heartfelt prayer resonated so powerfully with God that the divine decree was altered virtually instantaneously. It serves as a stark contrast to human perceptions of time and logistical limitations, portraying a God who is both omniscient (knowing Hezekiah's prayer even before fully uttered) and omnipotent (able to revoke a pronouncement and dispatch His prophet instantly).
  • "that the word of the Lord came to him": This crucial statement affirms the divine origin and authoritative nature of the altered message. It was not a change of heart originating with Isaiah, nor a human manipulation, but a direct, unsolicited intervention by Yahweh Himself. This underscores God's sovereignty over all matters, including the power of life and death, and His capacity to intervene dynamically in human affairs based on sincere repentance and prayer.

2 Kings 20 4 Bonus section

• This immediate divine intervention highlights the distinct nature of the Living God compared to the often slow, silent, or unresponsive pagan deities. It serves as an indirect polemic against any belief in a detached or impassive deity, emphasizing Yahweh's active and personal engagement with His creation.
• The "middle court" detail can also be seen as a symbol of how close and attentive God is to the sincere prayers of His people; they do not need to ascend to some distant heaven, but God hears and acts even within the most intimate spaces of human life.
• This verse provides a powerful example of how prophets were directly commissioned and immediately updated by God, confirming their role as divine messengers. The subsequent message to Hezekiah (in 2 Kgs 20:5-6) is then presented as "the word of the Lord," establishing its irrefutable truth.
• The narrative serves as an encouraging testimony for believers regarding the power and effectiveness of desperate, humble, and faithful prayer in altering what might appear to be an unchangeable fate. It stands alongside other biblical accounts like the Ninevites' repentance (Jonah 3) and Moses' intercession (Exod 32) as prime examples of God relenting.

2 Kings 20 4 Commentary

2 Kings 20:4 stands as a profound testament to the power of prayer and the compassionate, dynamic nature of God. Having just pronounced a death sentence upon King Hezekiah, Isaiah the prophet receives a sudden, divine reversal before he has even exited the inner confines of the palace. The precise detail that Isaiah was only in "the middle court" signifies an extraordinary immediacy; God's answer to Hezekiah's fervent plea was not delayed, not even for the prophet to complete his departure. This is a vivid illustration of God's attentiveness to His people's cries.

This verse reveals several critical theological insights. First, it underscores that while God's decrees are authoritative, His heart is moved by humble, repentant prayer. God is not a rigid, unfeeling automaton, but a personal God who interacts with humanity, and in His sovereignty, chooses to "relent" from previously stated judgments in response to genuine contrition. This is not a change in God's character or eternal plan, but a display of His covenant faithfulness and boundless mercy (compare Jer 18:7-10, Joel 2:13).

Second, the speed of the divine communication emphasizes God's absolute readiness to respond. Hezekiah's prayer was heard and answered instantly, showcasing God's omnipresence and perfect timing. The divine word, davar Yahweh, is not merely an idea but a potent, active force capable of bringing about dramatic change – in this case, a reversal of life and death. The narrative provides concrete assurance of God's capacity and willingness to intervene decisively and swiftly in the affairs of humanity for His glory and for the benefit of His faithful servants.