Isaiah 38:1 kjv
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
Isaiah 38:1 nkjv
In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.' "
Isaiah 38:1 niv
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."
Isaiah 38:1 esv
In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover."
Isaiah 38:1 nlt
About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: "This is what the LORD says: 'Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.'"
Isaiah 38 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 38:2 | Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD. | prayer in distress |
| 2 Kings 20:1 | Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die... | God's message to Hezekiah |
| 2 Kings 20:2 | Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall... | Hezekiah's prayer |
| 2 Kings 20:3 | I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked... | Hezekiah's plea |
| Isaiah 38:3 | and remembered how I have walked before thee in truth... | Hezekiah's self-reflection |
| Psalm 6:4 | Return, O LORD, deliver my soul... | prayer in similar situation |
| Psalm 116:3 | The snares of death compassed me about... | similar experience of distress |
| John 11:3 | ... send unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. | Jesus and Lazarus |
| Hebrews 12:5 | And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you... | God's discipline |
| Romans 8:38-39 | For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life... | Assurance of God's love |
| 1 Corinthians 15:55 | O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? | victory over death |
| Psalm 30:2 | O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. | thanksgiving for healing |
| Psalm 107:19-20 | Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them... | God's deliverance |
| Isaiah 38:21 | And Isaiah said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaster... | method of healing |
| Isaiah 38:7 | Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees of the sun... | sign of healing |
| Isaiah 7:11 | Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the deep, or in the height... | asking for a sign |
| Matthew 12:39 | But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign... | rejection of sign seeking |
| Genesis 3:19 | In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground... | mortality of man |
| Ecclesiastes 12:7 | Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. | return to dust |
| Romans 5:12 | Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin... | sin and death |
Isaiah 38 verses
Isaiah 38 1 Meaning
In those days Hezekiah was sick unto death. This verse introduces a significant event in the life of King Hezekiah, detailing his severe illness which brought him to the brink of death.
Isaiah 38 1 Context
This verse appears in the book of Isaiah, during a period of Hezekiah's reign as king of Judah. Hezekiah was a devout king who sought to follow God. The prophecy concerning his illness and recovery occurs during a time of significant geopolitical tension, with the Assyrian empire being a major threat. This chapter records a pivotal moment where Hezekiah's personal crisis becomes a stage for God's direct intervention and a demonstration of His power over life and death. The impending death of Hezekiah, a righteous ruler, would have had profound implications for Judah's spiritual and political future.
Isaiah 38 1 Word Analysis
- "In those days": Indicates a specific period in time, pointing to the events that follow as occurring within a particular historical narrative.
- "Hezekiah": The name means "Yahweh strengthens." He was a significant king of Judah known for his reforms and faithfulness to God.
- "was sick": Hebrew: חָלָה (chalah) - This verb signifies being unwell, ill, or infirm. It implies a serious physical ailment.
- "unto death": Hebrew: לְמָוֶת (lemāweth) - This phrase emphasizes the severity of the sickness, signifying that it was life-threatening, bringing him to the point of expiring.
Word-by-Word Analysis:
- In: Preposition, denoting location or time.
- those: Demonstrative pronoun, referring to a specific time period.
- days: Plural noun, indicating a span of time.
- Hezekiah: Proper noun, the subject of the sentence.
- was: Verb, past tense of "to be," indicating a state of being.
- sick: Adjective, describing Hezekiah's condition.
- unto: Preposition, signifying direction or extent.
- death: Noun, referring to the cessation of life.
Isaiah 38 1 Bonus Section
The illness and recovery of Hezekiah serve as a theological testament to God's sovereign power over life and death. It also illustrates the importance of prayer and integrity in the eyes of God, as Hezekiah’s remembrance of his faithful walk is presented as a factor in his petition. The narrative reinforces the biblical concept that while life is finite, God's mercy can extend it, often for the furtherance of His purposes and for the encouragement of His people. The mention of a "plaster of figs" in verse 21 hints at the medical practices of the time, even as the divine intervention transcends natural means.
Isaiah 38 1 Commentary
Isaiah chapter 38 begins with a somber announcement: King Hezekiah fell critically ill, facing imminent death. This declaration sets the stage for a profound encounter between Hezekiah, the prophet Isaiah, and God Himself. Hezekiah's faithfulness as king is a backdrop against which his personal suffering unfolds. The immediacy and severity of his illness underscore the human condition, reminding readers that even God-fearing leaders are subject to mortality. This moment highlights the LORD's intimate knowledge of His people's struggles and His capacity to intervene supernaturally in their lives, even when facing the absolute certainty of death. The verse functions as the catalyst for Hezekiah's heartfelt prayer and God's subsequent demonstration of power through extended life and a unique sign.