Isaiah 38:9 kjv
The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:
Isaiah 38:9 nkjv
This is the writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness:
Isaiah 38:9 niv
A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery:
Isaiah 38:9 esv
A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, after he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness:
Isaiah 38:9 nlt
When King Hezekiah was well again, he wrote this poem:
Isaiah 38 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Ki 20:8 | And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What shall be the sign... I will go up to the house of the LORD?" | Parallel account of Hezekiah's recovery. |
| Ps 30:2-3 | O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me. O LORD, you brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. | Thanksgiving for divine healing from near death. |
| Ps 116:1-2 | I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. | Personal gratitude for God hearing prayer. |
| Jas 5:15 | And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up... | Prayer's role in healing the sick. |
| Jer 32:27 | "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?" | God's limitless power, including healing. |
| Ps 103:3-4 | He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the pit; he crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. | God as the healer and redeemer of life. |
| Dt 32:39 | "'See now that I, I am he, and there is no god besides me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal... | God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. |
| 1 Sam 2:6 | The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. | God's power over life, death, and resurrection. |
| Ps 18:6 | In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice... | God hears prayers in times of distress. |
| Ps 118:17-18 | I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. | Testimony of being saved from death to live and declare God's works. |
| Job 33:24-25 | then he is gracious to him and says, ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom.’ His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s... | God's mercy in delivering from death and restoring health. |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. | Assurance that God hears prayer according to His will. |
| Php 2:27 | Indeed he was sick, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also... | Divine mercy in healing from near-fatal sickness. |
| Mk 5:34 | And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” | Jesus' healing power, linking faith and recovery. |
| Acts 9:40-41 | Peter knelt down and prayed... He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, arise.”... He gave her his hand and raised her up. | Miraculous restoration to life through prayer. |
| Ps 90:3 | You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” | Reminder of human mortality and God's control. |
| Lam 3:55-58 | I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, “Do not close your ear to my cry for relief!” You drew near on the day I called to you... | Calling out to God from the lowest point and His response. |
| Ex 15:26 | ...for I am the LORD, your healer. | God's self-revelation as the healer. |
| Mt 8:16-17 | ...he healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” | Christ's role in fulfilling prophecy regarding healing. |
| Heb 2:14-15 | ...he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death... and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. | Deliverance from the power and fear of death through Christ. |
| 2 Tim 4:18 | The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. | God's ultimate rescue and preservation of life. |
Isaiah 38 verses
Isaiah 38 9 Meaning
This verse introduces a deeply personal record, or psalm, authored by King Hezekiah of Judah. It explicitly states that this "writing" originated during a critical period in his life: when he had been gravely ill and, miraculously, had recovered from that very sickness. It serves as a title, setting the context for the heartfelt thanksgiving and reflection that follows in the subsequent verses. This personal testimony signifies God's direct intervention in his life, transitioning him from the brink of death back to health.
Isaiah 38 9 Context
Isaiah 38:9 serves as the superscription to Hezekiah's psalm of thanksgiving. This chapter is part of a historical section (chapters 36-39) within the book of Isaiah, which narrates key events in Hezekiah's reign. This specific account immediately follows the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian siege under King Sennacherib, an event prompted by Hezekiah's desperate prayer (Isaiah 36-37). While the Assyrian crisis threatened the nation's existence, Hezekiah then faces a deeply personal crisis: a life-threatening illness. Verse 9 prepares the reader for Hezekiah's prayer and subsequent reflection, showcasing his faith in the midst of extreme personal adversity and highlighting God's power over sickness and death, much as He displayed power over foreign armies.
Isaiah 38 9 Word analysis
- A writing (Hebrew: מִכְתָּב - mikhtav): This is not a common word for a letter or simple communication. It denotes a formal composition, a document, an inscription, or even a psalm. Its use here elevates Hezekiah's response to God into a formal, spiritual record intended for remembrance and public witness. It signifies a profound personal experience recorded for theological significance, much like many of the Psalms.
- of Hezekiah (Hebrew: לְחִזְקִיָּהוּ - lĕḥizqîyāhū): Clearly identifies the author as King Hezekiah, whose name means "Yahweh strengthens" or "Yahweh is my strength." This naming is highly significant given the context of his physical weakness and divine recovery, reinforcing the truth of his name.
- king of Judah: This title emphasizes Hezekiah's royal status, underscoring that even a powerful king is subject to mortal illness and relies entirely on God's mercy for life. His personal experience holds national and theological weight for his people.
- when he had been sick (Hebrew: בַּחֲלוֹת֗וֹ - baḥălōṯô): Derived from the root חָלָה (chalah), meaning "to be weak, ill, diseased, grieved." This indicates a severe and potentially fatal sickness, highlighting the depth of his suffering and the desperate state he was in.
- and had recovered: (Hebrew: וַיְח֥י - vayĕḥî): This is from the root חָיָה (chayah), meaning "to live, to be alive, to recover." The verb is strong and implies a restoration of life and health that was genuinely unexpected or miraculous. It highlights God's active, life-giving intervention.
- from his sickness: (Hebrew: מֵחָלְיֽוֹ - mēḥālĭyô): Reinforces the specific context of the recovery directly from the prior illness, not just a general improvement but a complete divine turnaround from the grave condition described.
Words-group analysis:
- "A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah": This phrase establishes the author and the royal, authoritative nature of the subsequent text. It suggests a formal decree or psalm rather than a casual note, signaling its importance as a lasting testament.
- "when he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness": This core phrase presents the dramatic contrast—from mortal illness to full recovery. It encapsulates the miraculous intervention of God, setting the stage for the outpouring of gratitude and spiritual reflection that follows, thereby indicating a before-and-after experience with divine agency as the pivot.
Isaiah 38 9 Bonus section
- Theological Parallel to a Psalm of Lament and Thanksgiving: While designated a "writing," Hezekiah's composition in verses 10-20 closely mirrors the structure of Old Testament psalms, moving from distress and lament to hope and eventual thanksgiving. This positions the verse as a thematic introduction to a personal worship experience akin to those found in the Book of Psalms.
- Emphasis on Experiential Knowledge of God: The "Mikhtav" isn't abstract theology; it's Hezekiah's documented testimony of experiencing God's attributes firsthand—His mercy, healing, and life-giving power. This makes the account incredibly relatable and provides encouragement to others who face illness and death.
- Contrast with Assyrian Gods: This personal healing narrative implicitly highlights the unique power of the God of Israel compared to the inert deities of Assyria (who were impotent against the physical threats to their worshipers, let alone in bringing back life from illness). Yahweh actively hears prayers and intervenes in human affairs, a stark difference.
Isaiah 38 9 Commentary
Isaiah 38:9 is more than a mere title; it's a profound contextual declaration for the "Mikhtav" (writing) that follows. It identifies King Hezekiah, a key figure in Judah's history, as the author of a psalm of thanksgiving stemming from a direct, life-altering encounter with God. Facing a fatal illness, his subsequent miraculous recovery stands as a powerful testament to Yahweh's sovereignty over life and death. The verse highlights the intimate and personal nature of God's interaction even with kings, underscoring that His divine power is not limited to national deliverance but extends to individual health and well-being. This record serves as an enduring spiritual document, encapsulating the transformative power of prayer and divine healing. It implicitly challenges the despair of the dying and validates reliance on the living God, leading the reader to anticipate the detailed, grateful praise that Hezekiah will articulate for his divine rescue.