Isaiah 38:4 kjv
Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
Isaiah 38:4 nkjv
And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,
Isaiah 38:4 niv
Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah:
Isaiah 38:4 esv
Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah:
Isaiah 38:4 nlt
Then this message came to Isaiah from the LORD:
Isaiah 38 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 38:5 | "Go and tell Hezekiah..." | Directly related, part of the same oracle. |
| 2 Kings 20:4 | "And it came to pass, before Isaiah was gone out into the middle of the court..." | Parallel account, narrative flow. |
| 2 Kings 20:5 | "Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD..." | Reiteration of divine message and authority. |
| Isaiah 37:36 | "Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians..." | The deliverance Hezekiah prayed for. |
| Psalm 50:15 | "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." | God hears and answers prayer in distress. |
| Jeremiah 33:3 | "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and hidden things, which thou hast not known." | God's promise to respond to earnest calls. |
| John 14:13 | "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." | Jesus' promise to answer prayers. |
| Acts 12:5 | "Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." | The church praying for Peter's deliverance. |
| Romans 8:34 | "Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." | Christ intercedes for believers. |
| Hebrews 4:15 | "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." | Jesus' empathy and role as High Priest. |
| Isaiah 7:7 | "Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass." | Previous assurance of deliverance from Sennacherib's invasion. |
| 2 Kings 19:34 | "For I will defend this city, to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake." | God's covenant commitment to Jerusalem and David. |
| Psalm 116:8 | "For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." | David's praise for deliverance from death. |
| Isaiah 26:3 | "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." | Trust in God leads to peace and security. |
| Proverbs 3:5 | "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." | Importance of trusting God. |
| Matthew 7:7 | "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" | Jesus' encouragement to seek God. |
| 1 Samuel 1:20 | "...and called his name Samuel: because, Said she, I have asked him of the LORD." | Hannah's answered prayer for a child. |
| Nehemiah 1:11 | "O Lord, I beseech thee, let thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name..." | Nehemiah's prayer for Jerusalem. |
| Psalm 6:4 | "Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake." | Plea for deliverance based on mercy. |
| Lamentations 3:22 | "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." | God's enduring mercy. |
Isaiah 38 verses
Isaiah 38 4 Meaning
This verse signifies a direct divine intervention in response to a plea. God, the LORD (YHWH), speaks directly to Isaiah, instructing him to deliver a message to Hezekiah. The message offers a reprieve from the imminent death sentence, extending his life by fifteen years and also promising deliverance from the Assyrians for Jerusalem.
Isaiah 38 4 Context
This verse occurs within the narrative of King Hezekiah's near-death experience. Hezekiah had received a grim prophecy from Isaiah concerning his illness, stating he would die and not recover (Isaiah 38:1). In response, Hezekiah wept bitterly and prayed fervently to the LORD. This verse is God's direct reply to that heartfelt prayer, delivered by Isaiah. It's a moment of divine compassion and sovereign intervention, turning a death sentence into a promise of extended life and renewed security for Jerusalem against the Assyrian threat. The historical context is the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem under Sennacherib, a period of immense national peril.
Isaiah 38 4 Word Analysis
- וְשׁוּב (və·shūḇ): "And turn" or "And go back." This Hebrew verb (from the root שׁוּב - shuv) indicates a return, a reversal, or a repetition. Here, it signifies Isaiah’s instruction to turn back and deliver a new message.
- לֵאמֹר (lē·’ā·mōr): "to say." This infinitive construct is used to introduce direct speech or a message.
- כֹּה (kō): "Thus" or "So." A demonstrative adverb introducing the content of the message.
- אָמַר (ʾā·ma): "said" or "says." The Qal perfect third-person masculine singular of the verb אמר (amar).
- יְהוָה (YHWH): "LORD." The personal covenant name of God.
- אֱלֹהֵי (’ĕ·lō·hê): "God of."
- דָּוִד (Dā·wiḏ): "David." Refers to King David.
- אَבִ֣יךְ (’ă·ḇîḵ): "your father."
- שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי (’šā·ma‘·tî): "I have heard." Qal perfect first-person common singular from שׁמע (shama - to hear). Denotes active listening and understanding.
- תְּפִלָּתֶ֗ךָ (tə·p̄i·lā·ṯe·ḵā): "your prayer." From תְּפִלָּה (tefillah - prayer).
- רָאִ֙יתִי֙ (rā·’î·tî): "I have seen." Qal perfect first-person common singular from ראה (ra'ah - to see). Indicates God's direct observation and awareness.
- דִּמְעָתֶ֗ךָ (dim·‘ā·ṯe·ḵā): "your tears." From דִּמְעָה (dim'ah - tear). Highlights the emotional intensity of Hezekiah's prayer.
Group Analysis:The phrase "Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father" establishes divine authority and links the promise to God's covenant faithfulness with David and his line. "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears" emphasizes God's personal engagement and empathy with Hezekiah's suffering.
Isaiah 38 4 Bonus Section
The inclusion of "the God of David your father" is significant. It reminds Hezekiah of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, through which God had promised to perpetuate David's lineage and protect Jerusalem. God's actions here are consistent with His covenant faithfulness, even when human circumstances seem dire. Hezekiah's act of praying and weeping is a powerful demonstration of reliance on God rather than on his own strength or status as king, aligning with biblical principles of seeking God in times of trouble. The specific mention of seeing tears underscores God's compassionate nature; He notices and responds to the genuine emotions of His people.
Isaiah 38 4 Commentary
This verse is a pivotal moment where divine mercy triumphs over pronouncement of death. God responds to Hezekiah's sincere, tearful prayer, not based on Hezekiah's merit but on His own character and covenant promises. Isaiah, God's prophet, is commissioned to deliver this life-altering message. The extended lifespan signifies God's gracious response and His power over life and death. It also reassures Hezekiah and Jerusalem of divine protection against external threats.