Isaiah 37 30

Isaiah 37:30 kjv

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

Isaiah 37:30 nkjv

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

Isaiah 37:30 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.

Isaiah 37:30 esv

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

Isaiah 37:30 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.

Isaiah 37 verses

Isaiah 37 30 Meaning

This verse presents a divine sign given to King Hezekiah and the people of Judah by the Lord through Isaiah. It is a guarantee of God's immediate deliverance from the Assyrian threat and His ongoing provision and restoration. For the first two years, they would eat from spontaneous growth, symbolizing God's miraculous care in disrupted times. In the third year, a full return to normalcy is promised, with sowing, reaping, planting vineyards, and enjoying their fruit, signifying a period of lasting peace, security, and prosperity under divine blessing.

Isaiah 37 30 Context

Isaiah 37:30 is a pivotal verse within the account of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah. Following the Assyrian army's taunts and King Hezekiah's fervent prayer for deliverance, the prophet Isaiah delivers God's response. The Lord promises to defend Jerusalem and destroy the Assyrian forces. The land of Judah has been devastated by the invading army, agricultural life disrupted, and the people confined to the city or scattered. Amidst this despair, the people would have been consumed with fear of famine, a common tactic of siege warfare. Therefore, God provides this specific, tangible sign not only as a guarantee that He will defeat the Assyrians but also that He will supernaturally sustain His people and restore their normal life and prosperity despite the immediate devastation. The sign directly counters the grim realities of invasion and siege, reassuring a terrified population of God's unfailing care.

Isaiah 37 30 Word analysis

• And this shall be a sign: (וְזֶה־לְּךָ הָאוֹת – wəzeh-ləḵā hā’ôṯ)

  • sign (אוֹת - ʾôṯ): Not merely an indication, but a miraculous token, a divine guarantee. It authenticates God's preceding promise to act against Sennacherib and foreshadows His future provision. It underscores the certainty of God's word.
  • to you (לְּךָ - ləḵā): Primarily for King Hezekiah, reinforcing God's direct communication with him. By extension, it comforts the entire nation of Judah, whose survival depends on the king's faith and God's response.

• You shall eat: (תֹּאכְלוּ – tōʾḵlû)

  • Plural, indicating provision for the entire community. It emphasizes basic sustenance during a time of great scarcity.

• this year: (הַשָּׁנָה – haššānâ)

  • Refers to the immediate present, the year of the Assyrian invasion and siege. It highlights God's swift and timely intervention.

• what grows of itself: (סָפִית – sāp̄îṯ)

  • Translates to "volunteer crop," "spontaneous growth," or "that which shoots up naturally." This signifies provision without human planting or cultivation. It is a miraculous, unearned bounty, directly challenging the assumption of famine caused by the war. This implies God's protection of the land's natural ability to yield food, even if it might seem scorched.

• and in the second year: (וּבַשָּׁנָה הַשֵּׁנִית – ûvaššānâ haššēnîṯ)

  • Extends the divine, effortless provision for a full second cycle. It reinforces the longevity and reliability of God's promise.

• what springs from the same: (שָׁחִיס – šāḥîs)

  • Refers to "aftergrowth" or "stubble growth." This is the secondary crop that sprouts from the seeds or roots of the first year's volunteer growth without new planting. It further emphasizes that the provision requires no human agricultural effort, reinforcing the supernatural and sustained nature of God's care.

• and in the third year: (וּבַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁלִישִׁית – ûvaššānâ haššəlîšît)

  • Marks the return to a stable, normal future, signifying the full and lasting end of the crisis. It contrasts with the previous two years, promising a definitive return to agricultural cycles.

• you shall sow and reap: (תִּזְרְעוּ וְקָצַרְתֶּם – tizraʿû wəqāṣartem)

  • Signifies the resumption of normal human agricultural activity. This implies the land is safe, productive, and the people can once again confidently work it without fear of invasion or famine. It shows complete restoration from war's disruption.

• and plant vineyards and eat their fruit: (וְתִטְּעוּ כְרָמִים וַאֲכַלְתֶּם פִּרְיָם – wətiṭṭeʿû ḵərāmîm waʾăḵaltem piryām)

  • Planting vineyards is a long-term investment, as vines take several years to produce fruit. This acts as the strongest assurance of prolonged peace, stability, and future prosperity. It signifies more than survival; it points to flourishing, secured against future threats. It represents deep confidence in the duration of God's protective hand.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And this shall be a sign to you": This introductory phrase sets the entire promise within the context of divine authentication. It ensures that Hezekiah and Judah will recognize the extraordinary providence as a direct fulfillment of God's spoken word, confirming His sovereignty and faithfulness.
  • "You shall eat this year what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs from the same": This two-year miraculous sequence vividly portrays God's direct and supernatural intervention to provide sustenance without human effort. In a time when the land might be despoiled or fear prevented sowing, God promises to feed His people directly from the land itself, circumventing the immediate effects of the Assyrian invasion and famine. It assures them of survival in a manner similar to His provision in the wilderness or during Sabbatical years, but tailored to a unique crisis.
  • "and in the third year you shall sow and reap, and plant vineyards and eat their fruit": This phrase marks a complete transition from crisis and supernatural provision to full national restoration and sustained prosperity. The ability to engage in normal agriculture, especially planting vineyards (a long-term investment), signals absolute peace, security, and a return to abundant life, assuring them that the Assyrian threat would be thoroughly and permanently neutralized, enabling long-term planning and flourishing.

Isaiah 37 30 Bonus section

• Parallelism: This exact prophetic sign is mirrored in 2 Kgs 19:29, underscoring its historical importance and the certainty of its divine origin and fulfillment. This dual account emphasizes the significance attached to this promise by the inspired writers.
• Theology of Divine Signs: In the Bible, signs (ʾôṯ) often precede, confirm, or accompany significant acts of God. Here, it is a tangible guarantee to King Hezekiah that God's dramatic deliverance from Sennacherib, announced moments before, is indeed assured. It bolsters faith by offering future evidence.
• Contrast with Enemy's Goals: The Assyrians aimed to desolate the land and starve the inhabitants. God's sign directly subverts this, promising spontaneous abundance and ultimate restoration of agricultural prosperity. It highlights God's power to nullify the enemy's destructive intentions.
• Echoes of Manna and Sabbatical Year: The concept of eating without sowing for a specific period resonates with the provision of manna in the wilderness (Ex 16) and the principles of the Sabbatical year (Lev 25), where the land rests and God supernaturally provides. This sign adapts these themes to a wartime crisis, assuring divine sustenance through extraordinary means.

Isaiah 37 30 Commentary

Isaiah 37:30 serves as God's powerful sign to validate His promise of immediate deliverance and long-term restoration for Judah amidst the dire Assyrian threat. The progressive nature of the sign—two years of miraculous, uncultivated provision followed by a return to normal, fruitful agriculture in the third—illustrates God's absolute control over life and sustenance. It addresses the practical fears of famine and destruction, demonstrating God's ability not only to repel the enemy but also to ensure His people's well-being and security for years to come. This prophetic word assures Judah of an undeniable future where their basic needs are met and their national life can flourish again in peace, testifying to the Lord's omnipotent care and faithfulness even when circumstances seem impossible. It encourages deep trust in divine provision and sovereignty.