Isaiah 38 21

Isaiah 38:21 kjv

For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.

Isaiah 38:21 nkjv

Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a lump of figs, and apply it as a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover."

Isaiah 38:21 niv

Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover."

Isaiah 38:21 esv

Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover."

Isaiah 38:21 nlt

Isaiah had said to Hezekiah's servants, "Make an ointment from figs and spread it over the boil, and Hezekiah will recover."

Isaiah 38 verses

Isaiah 38 21 Meaning

Isaiah prophesies that Hezekiah will recover from his fatal illness, and as a sign, the sun's shadow will go backward ten steps. This verse concludes the account of Hezekiah's healing by the prophet Isaiah. It signifies God's deliverance and His inscription of it for remembrance. The phrase "What sign shall there be?" (v. 22) is the response of Hezekiah to Isaiah's assurance of his recovery, indicating his desire for a concrete divine confirmation of God's promise of healing and that his household would not be delivered into the hands of enemies while he is ill. Hezekiah asks for a sign.

Isaiah 38 21 Context

This verse concludes the narrative of King Hezekiah's severe illness and miraculous recovery, detailed in Isaiah chapter 38 and 2 Kings chapter 20. Hezekiah was facing death and sought God's intervention. God, through the prophet Isaiah, promised healing and sent him to apply a poultice of figs to the boil. As a sign confirming this promise and demonstrating God's power over natural laws, the sun's shadow on a sundial would recede ten steps. The historical context is significant, as it demonstrates God's faithfulness to Hezekiah despite his human frailty. This event also served as a confirmation of Isaiah's prophetic ministry to Hezekiah and potentially to the people of Judah during a critical time in their history.

Isaiah 38 21 Word Analysis

• Hezekiah: (חִזְקִיָּ֫הוּ – Chizqiyyahu) Meaning "Yahweh has strengthened." The name itself reflects God's power.
• Said: (וַיֹּאמֶר – wayyōmer) A simple past tense verb indicating speech or utterance.
• Behold: (הִנֵּה – hinnēh) An interjection used to draw attention, emphasize, or introduce something important.
• Sign: (אוֹת – 'ōth) Means "sign, mark, token, signal, wonder." Here it represents a supernatural confirmation.
• Shall be: (יִהְיֶה – yihyeh) Future tense of "to be," indicating something that will happen.
• This: (זֶּה – zeh) A demonstrative pronoun, referring to a specific thing.
• To you: (לָּךְ – lāk) A prepositional phrase indicating the recipient of the sign.
• From the LORD: (מֵאֵת יְהוָה – me'ēth Yahweh) Indicates the divine origin and authority of the sign.
• That: (כִּי – kî) A conjunction used here to introduce the reason or the thing signified by the sign.
• The LORD: (יְהוָה – Yahweh) The covenant name of God.
• Will do: (יַעֲשֶׂה – ya'ǎśēh) Future tense of "to do" or "to make," implying action and accomplishment.
• This thing: (הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה – haddāvār hazzeh) Refers to the promise that God will perform or the miracle that will occur.
• That He has spoken: (אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר – 'ašer dibber) Connects the present action to God's prior word and promise, highlighting His faithfulness.

Words Group Analysis

• "Behold, this shall be the sign to you from the LORD": This phrase encapsulates the essence of divine assurance. "Behold" draws immediate attention to God's miraculous intervention. The emphasis is on the sign originating from the LORD, signifying its divine nature and truthfulness.
• "that the LORD will do this thing that He has spoken": This part reiterates God's faithfulness to His own spoken word. It emphasizes that the sign is not arbitrary but a tangible confirmation of a promised action. God's doing the promised thing confirms the promise itself.

Isaiah 38 21 Bonus Section

The shadow's regression is often discussed in relation to astronomical events, with some theories suggesting a natural phenomenon might have been interpreted as the miracle. However, the biblical text emphasizes it as a direct divine act. This miraculous sign served not only Hezekiah's personal need for reassurance but also functioned as a public declaration of God's power and a testament to His unfailing mercy. It solidified Hezekiah's reign and strengthened his relationship with God and His prophet. The inclusion of this detailed account in both Isaiah and Kings suggests its immense theological and historical significance for the people of Israel. It also foreshadows the ultimate healing and deliverance brought through Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 38 21 Commentary

This verse serves as the capstone to Hezekiah's miraculous healing. It reiterates the promise and the specific sign of the receding shadow. The emphasis is on God's direct intervention and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, exemplified by His power over natural phenomena. This event underlines the importance of divine assurance for believers in times of crisis and highlights the connection between God's word and His actions. It is a testament to God's sovereign control and His ability to perform the extraordinary for His people, thereby strengthening their faith. The inclusion of the fig poultice, a practical remedy, alongside the supernatural sign, showcases God working through both natural means and His direct power.