Keraia
Isaiah 38

Isaiah 38:5

Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery · Isaiah 38:1–8
Read Isaiah 38

Translations

Modern
“Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
Traditional
Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
Literal
“Go and say to Hezekiah: Thus says YHWH the God of David your father, ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears; Behold I will add to your days fifteen years.
Latin
Vade, et dic Ezechiæ: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus David patris tui: Audivi orationem tuam, et vidi lacrimas tuas; ecce ego adjiciam super dies tuos quindecim annos,

Original

Hebrew
English
“Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.

Notes

Isaiah 38:5

the God of your father David: Hezekiah followed David's example with faithfulness (see Isaiah 37:35; 38:1–22).

Isaiah 38:1–9

The story of Hezekiah’s healing connects two events. It links the extension of Hezekiah’s life with Jerusalem’s rescue from the Assyrians.

These events happened before Jerusalem was saved. However, the book places them in this order because of their theme, not their time sequence. One main theme is the power of prayer (see Isaiah 37:14–20; 38:2–3). The Lord truly listens.

Hezekiah learned to trust God. His father, Ahaz, had refused to trust the Lord. Because Hezekiah trusted God, Judah and Jerusalem were spared complete destruction by the Assyrians.

Still, Hezekiah was not the promised Messiah, the Son of David (Isaiah 7:14; 9:1–7; 11:1–16; 16:5; 32:1; 33:17–22). He was a faithful king, but he was also human and would die. His failures and his sickness (chapters 38–39) prepare the reader for the coming of the true Messiah described in chapters 40–66.

Theme notes and profiles

Hezekiah Isaiah Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Parallels

2 Kings 20:1–11 2 Chronicles 32:24–31

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Hezekiah: A righteous king of Judah

Glossary

Hezekiah History of Israel Inscriptions Isaiah, Book of Kings, Books of First and Second Miracle

Topics

Disease of Hezekiah Hezekiah: King of Judah: Prophecies Concerning Hezekiah: King of Judah: Sickness and Restoration of Natural Life: Sometimes Prolonged, in Answer to Prayer Sickness: God: Heals Tears: Observed by God