2 Kings 20:5
Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
שׁ֣וּב
Turn again
H7725
שׁ֣וּב
Turn again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 26
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ
Hezekiah
H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ
Hezekiah
Strong's:
H2396
Word #:
4 of 26
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
נְגִיד
the captain
H5057
נְגִיד
the captain
Strong's:
H5057
Word #:
5 of 26
a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes
עַמִּ֗י
of my people
H5971
עַמִּ֗י
of my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵי֙
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵי֙
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 26
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אָבִ֔יךָ
thy father
H1
אָבִ֔יךָ
thy father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
12 of 26
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙
I have heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙
I have heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תְּפִלָּתֶ֔ךָ
thy prayer
H8605
תְּפִלָּתֶ֔ךָ
thy prayer
Strong's:
H8605
Word #:
15 of 26
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
רָאִ֖יתִי
I have seen
H7200
רָאִ֖יתִי
I have seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
16 of 26
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֹ֣פֶא
behold I will heal
H7495
רֹ֣פֶא
behold I will heal
Strong's:
H7495
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
בַּיּוֹם֙
day
H3117
בַּיּוֹם֙
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
22 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י
thee on the third
H7992
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י
thee on the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
23 of 26
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
תַּֽעֲלֶ֖ה
thou shalt go up
H5927
תַּֽעֲלֶ֖ה
thou shalt go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
24 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
Psalms 39:12Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.1 Samuel 9:16To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.Isaiah 38:5Go, 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.2 Kings 19:20Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.Psalms 126:5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.Psalms 147:3He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.Psalms 56:8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?Revelation 7:17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.Matthew 22:32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 20 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery) reflects the historical reality of genuine religious reform under Hezekiah, including trust in God that resulted in miraculous deliverance from Assyria. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 20 regarding god's mercy and human presumption?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.
The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.