Isaiah 38:10 kjv
I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.
Isaiah 38:10 nkjv
I said, "In the prime of my life I shall go to the gates of Sheol; I am deprived of the remainder of my years."
Isaiah 38:10 niv
I said, "In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?"
Isaiah 38:10 esv
I said, In the middle of my days I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years.
Isaiah 38:10 nlt
I said, "In the prime of my life,
must I now enter the place of the dead?
Am I to be robbed of the rest of my years?"
Isaiah 38 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 38:10 | I said, "In the prime of my life I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my days." | My remaining years |
| Psalm 116:3 | When the pangs of death encompassed me, and the horrors of Sheol came upon me; when I found trouble and sorrow. | Nearness of death |
| Job 7:15 | And so my soul would choose suffocation, my bones over this death. | Despair over death |
| Psalm 6:5 | For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who gives you thanks? | Forgotten in Sheol |
| Ecclesiastes 9:5 | For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing... | Ignorance of the dead |
| Isaiah 14:9 | Sheol beneath is stirred by meeting you at your arrival; it rouses the shades to greet you... | Sheol’s inhabitants |
| 2 Corinthians 5:8 | We are of good courage, I say, and prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. | Desire to be with Lord |
| Philippians 1:23 | ... my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. | To depart and be with Christ |
| John 11:26 | and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? | Eternal life |
| Isaiah 38:1-6 | Hezekiah's sickness and prayer | Historical context linkage |
| Isaiah 38:17 | Behold, it was for my good that I had such bitterness, yet you have kindly kept me from the pit of destruction. | God's preservation |
| Isaiah 38:18 | For Sheol cannot thank you; death cannot praise you; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. | Praising God |
| Psalm 30:3 | O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. | Deliverance from Sheol |
| Psalm 88:3 | For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. | Troubled life near death |
| Psalm 89:48 | What man can live and never see death? Can he deliver his soul from the hand of Sheol? | Impossibility of self-redemption |
| Jeremiah 51:34 | Nebuchadnezzar has devoured me, he has crushed me; he has made me an empty vessel; he has swallowed me like a monster; he has filled his belly with my delicacies; he has cast me away. | Devoured by enemies (metaphorical Sheol) |
| Proverbs 27:20 | Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and so man’s eyes are never satisfied. | Insatiable Sheol |
| Revelation 1:18 | I am the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. | Christ's dominion over death |
| Hebrews 2:14-15 | Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. | Christ’s victory over death |
| Matthew 16:18 | ...and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. | Gates of Hades |
| 1 Corinthians 15:55 | O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? | Victory over death |
Isaiah 38 verses
Isaiah 38 10 Meaning
This verse is a profound lament from King Hezekiah expressing his deep distress over his impending death and his desperate plea to God for more time. It captures a raw, human emotion facing mortality, and an understanding of his remaining years as a precious gift. The sentiment highlights the value of life from a believer's perspective, seeing it as divinely granted and intimately connected to God's presence and purpose.
Isaiah 38 10 Context
Isaiah chapter 38 recounts a pivotal moment in the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. Hezekiah falls gravely ill, to the point of death. The prophet Isaiah is sent by God to tell him to set his house in order, for he will die and not recover. Hezekiah turns his face to the wall, weeps, and prays earnestly to God, remembering God's faithfulness and the goodness of his own life lived in devotion. In response, God hears his prayer, sees his tears, and extends his life by fifteen years. The verse in question reflects Hezekiah's raw thoughts and feelings before God's miraculous intervention, when he believed death was imminent. The historical backdrop is the Assyrian threat, making Hezekiah's life crucial for the kingdom's survival. This chapter is unique for including a psalm attributed to Hezekiah himself, directly resulting from this experience.
Isaiah 38 10 Word Analysis
- אֲנִי (aní) - "I" - Emphasizes the personal and subjective nature of the lament.
- אָמַרְתִּי (amárti) - "I said" - Indicates a statement of personal conclusion or a deeply held thought.
- בְּתַכְלִית (bətaḵlit) - "in the prime/fullness/completion" - Refers to the best part of one's life, a stage of maturity and fullness of days.
- הַיָּמִים (ha'yāmīm) - "the days" - Denotes the remaining years of his life, implying a specific, countable span.
- לָשׁוּב (lašūv) - "to return" - Here implies a return to his previous state or continuation, which he now sees as impossible.
- אָבֹא (avó') - "I shall come" - Signifies the inevitability of departure, a coming to an end.
- בְּשַׁעֲרֵי (bəša'aréi) - "to the gates of" - A symbolic representation of the entrance to the realm of the dead.
- שְׁאוֹל (šə'ōl) - "Sheol" - The Hebrew concept of the underworld, a place of shades and silence, often seen as a gloomy, final destination.
- חֶשְׁבּוֹן (ḵešbōn) - "account" or "reckoning" - Refers to the remainder or the rest of his days, now measured from the perspective of death.
- שְׁאָר (šə'ār) - "rest" or "remainder" - The portion left.
- שְׁנַי (šənáy) - "my years" - Possessive, highlighting that these are the years of his life.
Word Groups Analysis:
- "בְּתַכְלִית הַיָּמִים אָבֹא" (bətaḵlit ha'yāmīm avó'): "In the prime of days I shall come." This phrase encapsulates the tragic realization of facing death at a time when life is usually vibrant and productive. It is the feeling of a life cut short, an expectation of continuity being shattered.
- "אֶל-שַׁעֲרֵי שְׁאוֹל חֶשְׁבּוֹן שְׁנַי" (el-ša'aréi šə'ōl ḵešbōn šənáy): "To the gates of Sheol the reckoning of my years." This depicts a final destination, the threshold of the underworld, and implies that his remaining years are now merely a summation, a final tally before entering eternal silence. It conveys the sense of closure and finality.
Isaiah 38 10 Bonus Section
Hezekiah's cry is often cited in theological discussions about suffering, death, and God's sovereignty. His "prime of days" signifies not just biological youth or middle age, but also a time when he was actively serving God and king. The depth of his despair is palpable, as he anticipates ceasing to exist and praise God. His experience underscores the contrast between the Old Testament understanding of the afterlife (Sheol) and the New Testament revelation of resurrection and eternal fellowship with God through Christ. His life being extended is seen as a testament to God’s mercy and a renewed opportunity for service and worship, aligning with the common biblical theme that God grants life for His purposes and glory.
Isaiah 38 10 Commentary
Hezekiah’s statement reflects the natural human fear and grief when confronted with death, particularly when it appears to come prematurely. His lament emphasizes the finality associated with Sheol in the Old Testament understanding – a place where life's activities cease, and the living God cannot be praised. This verse serves as a powerful illustration of the human condition apart from the hope of resurrection and eternal life. It sets the stage for God's gracious intervention, demonstrating God's attentiveness to sincere prayer and His ability to alter life's course. From a New Testament perspective, Hezekiah's plea highlights the deep human desire for continued life and purpose, a desire fulfilled supremely in Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life.