2 Kings 20:8

Authorized King James Version

And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙

H2396

And Hezekiah

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

אֶֽל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְשַׁעְיָ֔הוּ

H3470

unto Isaiah

jeshajah, the name of seven israelites

מָ֣ה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

א֔וֹת

H226

What shall be the sign

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִרְפָּ֥א

H7495

will heal

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#10

לִ֑י

#11

וְעָלִ֛יתִי

H5927

me and that I shall go up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#12

בַּיּ֥וֹם

H3117

day

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

#13

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖י

H7992

the third

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

#14

בֵּ֥ית

H1004

into the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#15

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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