ScriptureDepth's study of Isaiah 38
“Go, and tell Hezekiah, ‘Yahweh, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.”
Isaiah 38:5-6
Yahweh speaks to Hezekiah through Isaiah, promising him fifteen more years of life and deliverance from Assyria, which changes the course of his illness.
What Isaiah 38 is about
Hezekiah was sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet came to him with a message from Yahweh, instructing him to set his house in order because he would die (vv. 1-2). Hezekiah prayed to Yahweh, recalling how he had walked in truth and wept bitterly (vv. 3-5). God responded by telling Isaiah to inform Hezekiah that he would add fifteen years to his life and deliver the city from the king of Assyria (vv. 6-8). Hezekiah later reflected on his condition, expressing despair over his impending death and his thoughts of Sheol (vv. 9-14). He then praised God for His mercy, acknowledging that the living will praise Yahweh (vv. 15-20). Isaiah instructed to take a cake of figs as a poultice for his recovery (vv. 21-22). Hezekiah requested a sign for his healing and restoration to Yahweh's house.
Yahweh promises to add years to Hezekiah's life and deliver the city from danger.
Isaiah 38 at a glance
- Isaiah 38:1–2Hezekiah's Illness Announced
- Isaiah 38:3–5Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Response
- Isaiah 38:6–8Promise of Deliverance
- Isaiah 38:9–14Hezekiah's Lament and Reflection
- Isaiah 38:15–20Praise for God's Mercy
- Isaiah 38:21–22Healing Instructions
Key verse: Isaiah 38:5-6
One thing to notice
Hezekiah's emotional state is conveyed through vivid expressions of grief. In verses 3, 11, and 14, he laments his fate and pleads with Yahweh, saying, 'I have walked before you in truth' and 'I am oppressed.' His heartfelt cries reveal a deep sense of despair and a desire for life.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Isaiah 38 (WEB)
Hezekiah's Illness Announced Isaiah 38:1–2
1Verse 1. In those days was Hezekiah sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.’” 2Verse 2. Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh,
Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Response Isaiah 38:3–5
3Verse 3. and said, “Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4Verse 4. Then Yahweh’s word came to Isaiah, saying, 5Verse 5. “Go, and tell Hezekiah, ‘Yahweh, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
Promise of Deliverance Isaiah 38:6–8
6Verse 6. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city. 7Verse 7. This shall be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do this thing that he has spoken. 8Verse 8. Behold, I will cause the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the sundial on which it had gone down.”’”
Hezekiah's Lament and Reflection Isaiah 38:9–14
9Verse 9. The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and had recovered of his sickness.10Verse 10. I said, “In the middle of my life I go into the gates of Sheol.I am deprived of the residue of my years.”11Verse 11. I said, “I won’t see Yah,Yah in the land of the living.I will see man no more with the inhabitants of the world.12Verse 12. My dwelling is removed,and is carried away from me like a shepherd’s tent.I have rolled up, like a weaver, my life.He will cut me off from the loom.From day even to night you will make an end of me.13Verse 13. I waited patiently until morning.He breaks all my bones like a lion.From day even to night you will make an end of me.14Verse 14. I chattered like a swallow or a crane.I moaned like a dove.My eyes weaken looking upward.Lord, I am oppressed.Be my security.”
Praise for God's Mercy Isaiah 38:15–20
15Verse 15. What will I say?He has both spoken to me, and himself has done it.I will walk carefully all my years because of the anguish of my soul.16Verse 16. Lord, men live by these things;and my spirit finds life in all of them:you restore me, and cause me to live.17Verse 17. Behold, for peace I had great anguish,but you have in love for my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption;for you have cast all my sins behind your back.18Verse 18. For Sheol can’t praise you.Death can’t celebrate you.Those who go down into the pit can’t hope for your truth.19Verse 19. The living, the living, he shall praise you, as I do today.The father shall make known your truth to the children.20Verse 20. Yahweh will save me.Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life in Yahweh’s house.
Healing Instructions Isaiah 38:21–22
21Verse 21. Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs, and lay it for a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover.” 22Verse 22. Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I will go up to Yahweh’s house?”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Isaiah 38
Prayer and Faith
Hezekiah's prayer is a pivotal moment in the narrative, occurring in verse 2 when he turns to the wall and prays to Yahweh. His plea in verse 3 recalls his faithfulness, stating that he has 'walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart.' The chapter transitions from Hezekiah's desperate situation to God's response, which highlights the power of his faith and the role of prayer in seeking divine intervention.
God's Mercy
God's mercy is clearly articulated in v. 5 when Yahweh responds to Hezekiah's prayer, saying, 'I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears.' This mercy is further affirmed in v. 17, where Hezekiah acknowledges that God has delivered his soul from the 'pit of corruption.' The chapter portrays divine compassion in the context of Hezekiah's suffering and restoration.
Divine Intervention
Divine intervention is central to the chapter, beginning with the prophetic announcement of Hezekiah's impending death in v. 1. After Hezekiah's prayer, v. 6 reveals God's promise: 'I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria.' This intervention culminates in a miraculous sign in v. 8, where the sun's shadow moves backward, showcasing God's authority over nature and life.
Mortality
Hezekiah confronts his mortality throughout the chapter, particularly in verses 10-12 where he laments, 'In the middle of my life I go into the gates of Sheol.' His acknowledgment in verse 18 that 'Sheol can't praise you' signals an understanding of death's finality. The chapter captures his fear and sorrow regarding death, while also presenting the hope of life granted by God.
Chapter outline
How Isaiah 38 unfolds
Isaiah 38:1–2 Hezekiah's Illness Announced
Hezekiah's illness is reported by Isaiah, who delivers a message from Yahweh commanding Hezekiah to 'set your house in order' because he will die (v. 1-2).
Isaiah 38:3–5 Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Response
Hezekiah prays to Yahweh, asking Him to remember how he has walked before Him, and he weeps. Yahweh responds to Isaiah, stating He has heard Hezekiah's prayer and will add fifteen years to his life (vv. 3-5).
Isaiah 38:6–8 Promise of Deliverance
Yahweh promises both healing for Hezekiah and deliverance from the Assyrians, providing a sign through the sundial to confirm His word (vv. 6-8).
Isaiah 38:9–14 Hezekiah's Lament and Reflection
Hezekiah laments his near-death experience, expressing feelings of despair and loss. He describes his life as being cut short like a tent and a weaving, and he pleads for security (vv. 9-14).
Isaiah 38:15–20 Praise for God's Mercy
Hezekiah praises God for restoring his life and delivering his soul from corruption, emphasizing that the living can share the truth of God with future generations (vv. 15-20).
Isaiah 38:21–22 Healing Instructions
Isaiah instructs that a poultice of figs be used for Hezekiah's recovery, and Hezekiah inquires about the sign of his future visit to Yahweh's house (vv. 21-22).
Key verses
Isaiah 38:5-6Yahweh speaks to Hezekiah through Isaiah, promising him fifteen more years of life and deliverance from Assyria, which changes the course of his illness.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Isaiah 38
- observeIn v2, what is Hezekiah's immediate response to Isaiah's message?
- observeWhat does God promise Hezekiah in v6 regarding the Assyrian threat?
- interpretHezekiah's prayer in v3 mentions 'a perfect heart': how does this relate to his request for healing?
- interpretIn v17, Hezekiah states he has 'great anguish': what does this suggest about his view of life and death?
- applyHow do you respond in prayer during times of distress, as seen in Hezekiah's plea in v3?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Isaiah 38
- Isaiah 43Isaiah 38:17 and Isaiah 43:25Both deliver from sin: Isaiah 38:17 says, 'you have cast all my sins behind your back,' while Isaiah 43:25 states, 'I will not remember your sins.'
- 2 Kings 20Isaiah 38:5 and 2 Kings 20:5Both affirm answered prayer: Isaiah 38:5 notes, 'I have heard your prayer,' while 2 Kings 20:5 echoes, 'I have heard your prayer.'
- Psalm 30Isaiah 38:3 and Psalm 30:5Both express hope after distress: Isaiah 38:3 says, 'I have walked before you in truth,' while Psalm 30:5 proclaims, 'joy comes in the morning.'
- 2 Chronicles 32Isaiah 38:1 and 2 Chronicles 32:24Both recount Hezekiah's illness: Isaiah 38:1 declares, 'Hezekiah sick and near death,' while 2 Chronicles 32:24 states, 'Hezekiah was terminally ill.'
- Ecclesiastes 9Isaiah 38:18 and Ecclesiastes 9:10Both consider death’s limitations: Isaiah 38:18 states, 'Death can’t celebrate you,' while Ecclesiastes 9:10 mentions, 'there is no work, nor plan.'
- Psalm 119Isaiah 38:14 and Psalm 119:122Both seek security in distress: Isaiah 38:14 asks, 'Be my security,' while Psalm 119:122 requests, 'Don’t let the proud oppress me.'
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Where to go from here
- Isaiah: the whole bookIsaiah son of Amoz prophesied in Jerusalem across roughly forty years and four kings — Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 220Day 220 of 365: Isaiah 38–41.
- SalvationWhat the Bible says about salvation, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
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