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 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 38:7 | "This shall be the sign... Behold, I will make the shadow on the steps... go back ten steps." | Isa 38:7 |
| 2 Kings 20:7 | "And Isaiah said, 'Take a cake of figs.' And they took and spread it on the boil, and he recovered." | 2 Ki 20:7 |
| 2 Kings 20:11 | "And Isaiah cried to the LORD, and he brought the shadow back on the steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz, ten steps backward." | 2 Ki 20:11 |
| 2 Chronicles 32:24 | "In those days Hezekiah became sick unto death. And he prayed to the LORD, and he spake unto him and gave him a wonder..." | 2 Ch 32:24 |
| John 3:2 | "...for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." | Jn 3:2 |
| Acts 4:30 | "...by stretching out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." | Acts 4:30 |
| Romans 15:19 | "...by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all around to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." | Rom 15:19 |
| Revelation 1:1 | "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place." | Rev 1:1 |
| Genesis 1:14 | "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.'" | Gen 1:14 |
| Exodus 13:21 | "The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light..." | Ex 13:21 |
| Joshua 10:13 | "And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation avenged themselves on their enemies." | Josh 10:13 |
| Psalm 18:7 | "Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of the mountains quaked and quaked because he was wroth." | Ps 18:7 |
| Psalm 119:142 | "Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true." | Ps 119:142 |
| Proverbs 3:5 | "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." | Prov 3:5 |
| Jeremiah 17:7 | "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD." | Jer 17:7 |
| Luke 1:37 | "For with God nothing will be impossible." | Lk 1:37 |
| Philippians 4:13 | "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." | Phil 4:13 |
| Revelation 22:2 | "The river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb." | Rev 22:2 |
Isaiah 38 verses
Isaiah 38 7 Meaning
This verse describes a divine sign given to King Hezekiah: the sun's shadow will recede ten steps on the stairway of Ahaz. This sign serves as confirmation of God's promise to heal Hezekiah and deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. It emphasizes God's power over natural phenomena, demonstrating His direct involvement in human affairs.
Isaiah 38 7 Context
This verse is part of a larger narrative in Isaiah chapter 38, where King Hezekiah is facing a deadly illness. The prophet Isaiah delivers a message of impending death. Hezekiah, in his distress, turns to prayer, humbling himself and weeping. God hears his prayer and promises to add fifteen years to his life and to deliver him and the city of Jerusalem from the hand of the king of Assyria. The sign of the receding shadow is given to confirm this divine assurance and to provide tangible evidence of God's intervention. Historically, this event likely occurred during Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem, a critical period for Judah.
Isaiah 38 7 Word Analysis
- וְזֶה־לְּךָ֥ (və-zeh-lə-ḵā): "and this for you" or "this shall be for you". Indicates a specific sign or token granted to Hezekiah.
- אוֹת֙ (’ōṯ): "sign," "token," "wonder," "miracle." Points to a supernatural event meant to convey a message or confirm truth.
- מֵעִ֥ם (mē-‘im): "from with." Emphasizes the source of the action as being divine.
- יְהוָֽה֙ (YHWH): The covenant name of God, "LORD." Highlights God's personal involvement with His people.
- לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת (la-‘aśōwṯ): "to do," "to make." Denotes an active demonstration of God's power.
- אֶת־הַדָּבָ֥ר (’eṯ-ha-ḏā-ḇār): "the thing," "the word," "the matter." Refers to the word or promise that Isaiah had just spoken regarding Hezekiah's healing and deliverance.
- אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă-šer): "which," "that." A relative pronoun connecting the action to the word.
- דִּבֵּ֣ר (diḇ-ḇêr): "spoke." Refers to the spoken word of prophecy.
- וְהִנֵּה֙ (wə-hin-nêh): "and behold," "and look." An interjection to draw attention to the extraordinary event.
- מַשָּׁ֣ה (maš-šāh): "shadow," "shade." Refers to the shadow cast by the sun.
- עַל־מַעֲלֹ֥ת (‘al-ma-‘ă-lōṯ): "on the steps," "on the stairs." A specific, measurable location, likely a sundial's staircase in the palace or courtyard.
- הָֽאָחָֽז׃ (hā-’ā-ḥāz): "of Ahaz." Referring to the steps or dial constructed by Hezekiah's grandfather, King Ahaz.
- הָהַ֔לֶךְ (hā-ha-leḵ): "which had been going," "which was going." The shadow's usual progression.
- בְּמַעֲלֹ֣ת (bə-ma-‘ă-lōṯ): "on the steps." Repeats the location.
- י״ו֙ (yod-vav): Often transliterated as "Yh." This seems to be a short form of the divine name, or a scribal notation, possibly referencing God or the sacred nature of the event. It could also be a corrupted or abbreviated reading of "YHWH". The precise interpretation here is debated among scholars.
- עֶֽשֶׂר֒ (‘eśer): "ten." The specific measurement of the shadow's movement.
- מַעֲל֧וֹת (ma-‘ă-lōṯ): "steps." Reinforces the unit of measurement.
- יָסוּר (yā-śūr): "to go back," "to turn back," "to recede." Indicates a reversal of the natural order of the shadow's movement.
- עֶשֶׂר֒ (‘eśer): "ten." A repeated emphasis on the specific number of steps the shadow recedes.
- וְאָחֹ֥ר (wə-’ā-ḥōr): "and backward." Explicitly states the direction of the shadow's movement.
Word Group Analysis:The phrase "the shadow on the steps of Ahaz, which had been going down on the steps of Ahaz, ten steps backward" graphically illustrates a supernatural manipulation of time and the solar progression. The steps of Ahaz serve as a known reference point for time measurement, making the reversal of the shadow’s direction a visible and undeniable sign.
Isaiah 38 7 Bonus Section
The sundial on the stairs of Ahaz likely incorporated a stepped structure to track the sun's passage through the day. The supernatural movement of the shadow signifies not just a reversal of time but a direct intervention against death. This event demonstrates that God is sovereign over the physical laws He established. Some interpretations connect this sign to the power of prayer and faith to influence even natural phenomena. This act of turning back the sun echoes the event described in Joshua 10:13, showing God's consistent power to control celestial bodies for His purposes and the salvation of His people. It serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus Christ’s resurrection and victory over death itself.
Isaiah 38 7 Commentary
God confirms His word of healing and extended life to Hezekiah through a direct, visible miracle. The receding shadow is a sign of God's dominion over creation and His faithfulness to His promises. This event assures Hezekiah that his prayer has been heard and that God is actively intervening to deliver him and his kingdom. It’s a powerful testament to God’s ability to reverse the irreversible and to show favor to those who humble themselves before Him. The specificity of "ten steps" makes the miracle concrete and unmistakable for Hezekiah.