Isaiah 38 7

Isaiah 38:7 kjv

And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;

Isaiah 38:7 nkjv

And this is the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing which He has spoken:

Isaiah 38:7 niv

"?'This is the LORD's sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised:

Isaiah 38:7 esv

"This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he has promised:

Isaiah 38:7 nlt

"'And this is the sign from the LORD to prove that he will do as he promised:

Isaiah 38 verses

Isaiah 38 7 Meaning

This verse functions as a divinely declared assurance to King Hezekiah, immediately preceding the miraculous sign of the sun dial. It emphasizes that the forthcoming supernatural event will serve as an unequivocal confirmation directly from Yahweh, proving His intention and ability to perform precisely what He has promised – healing Hezekiah and extending his life by fifteen years. It asserts the unshakeable truthfulness and executing power of God's spoken word.

Isaiah 38 7 Context

Isaiah 38 records a pivotal moment in the life of King Hezekiah of Judah, specifically his severe illness and miraculous recovery during the Assyrian crisis. Chapters 36 and 37 detail Assyrian King Sennacherib's threat and Jerusalem's deliverance by divine intervention, reinforcing God's power. Yet, Hezekiah faces personal mortality, as Isaiah initially delivers a message of impending death (v. 1). Hezekiah's fervent prayer (v. 2-3) prompts God to change His decree (v. 4-6), promising recovery and an additional fifteen years of life, along with further deliverance from Assyria. Verse 7, then, introduces the miraculous sign that God will provide as an undeniable confirmation of this new promise, demonstrating His personal involvement and unfailing word. It bridges the promise of recovery with the physical manifestation of the divine sign in the subsequent verse.

Isaiah 38 7 Word analysis

• And this shall be (וְזֶה הַלְּךָ, wəzeh halləḵā):
  • And: Connects this verse to the preceding divine promise (v. 5-6), signaling continuation of God's response.
  • this: Points forward to the specific, forthcoming miraculous event—the sun dial's shadow moving backward—detailed in the next verse. It directs Hezekiah's attention to the impending confirmation.
  • shall be: Expresses the certainty and divine decree of the sign. It is a definite, divinely orchestrated future reality.
• the sign (הָאוֹת, hā'ôṯ):
  • The Hebrew ôth (אוֹת) denotes a visible token, mark, wonder, or miraculous proof. It serves as a divine attestation, confirming God's word or a divine appointment.
  • Its significance lies in manifesting the unseen (God's promise) in the tangible, leaving no doubt about the promise's divine origin and certain fulfillment.
• unto thee (לְךָ, ləḵā):
  • Emphasizes the personal nature and recipient of the sign. It is specifically intended for King Hezekiah, for his individual assurance in response to his earnest prayer.
• from the LORD (מֵאֵת יְהוָה, mē’êṯ Yahweh):
  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh) is God's covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent, and faithful character, guaranteeing the promise's truth.
  • from: Clearly establishes the divine origin of the sign. It's a direct, miraculous intervention by the sovereign God, not a random occurrence or human trick.
• that the LORD will do this thing (כִּי־עֹשֶׂה יְהוָה אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה, kî-‘ōśeh Yahweh ’eṯ-haddāvār hazzֶh):
  • that: Explains the primary purpose of the sign: to confirm God's specific intention.
  • will do (עֹשֶׂה, 'ōśeh): This Hebrew participle conveys an active or imminent state of "doing," "making," or "performing." It stresses God's immediate and active capability to execute His declared will.
  • this thing (הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה, haddāvār hazzֶh): Refers to the comprehensive promise given in verses 5-6: Hezekiah's healing, the additional fifteen years of life, and Jerusalem's protection.
• that he hath spoken (אֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר, ’ăšer dibbēr):
  • spoken (דִּבֵּר, dibbēr): Emphasizes God's verbal communication, His prior declaration or promise.
  • This phrase irrevocably links the tangible sign to God's specific verbal pledge, asserting divine integrity: what God has spoken, He will most certainly accomplish.

Isaiah 38 7 Bonus section

The immediate historical backdrop of this passage, nestled within the Assyrian siege narratives (Isa 36-37), amplifies the significance of Hezekiah's recovery. His prolonged life was essential for the continuation of the Davidic line, from which the Messiah would eventually come. God’s commitment to Hezekiah's personal well-being thus had broader theological implications for the future of His covenant with Israel. The sign of the sun's shadow moving backward demonstrates God's mastery over cosmic elements, paralleling other divine interventions in nature (e.g., Joshua's long day, the plagues of Egypt), showcasing His unique power beyond all other alleged deities. This unique event confirms that the God of Israel alone orchestrates creation to confirm His word. The sun dial, likely the "stairs of Ahaz," would have been a well-known structure, making the miraculous reversal an unmistakable and publicly observable event, preventing any claim of subjective experience.

Isaiah 38 7 Commentary

Isaiah 38:7 serves as a crucial interlude, transitioning from God's renewed promise to Hezekiah to the tangible manifestation of divine power. The verse asserts that the subsequent sign (the reversal of the sun's shadow) is not merely a curious phenomenon, but an unmissable confirmation originating from Yahweh Himself. This sign would unmistakably demonstrate that God would fulfill His previously spoken word regarding Hezekiah's healing and extended life. It underscores God's sovereignty over natural laws, His direct involvement in human affairs, and the unyielding faithfulness of His promises, validating His word with undeniable supernatural action. It moves from spoken assurance to a witnessed miracle, designed to banish doubt and reinforce trust in the divine declaration.