2 Kings Chapter 20 · Verse 8

Authorized King James Version

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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?

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר said H559
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 15
to say (used with great latitude)
חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ And Hezekiah H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ And Hezekiah
Strong's: H2396
Word #: 2 of 15
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
אֶֽל H413
אֶֽל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְשַׁעְיָ֔הוּ unto Isaiah H3470
יְשַׁעְיָ֔הוּ unto Isaiah
Strong's: H3470
Word #: 4 of 15
jeshajah, the name of seven israelites
מָ֣ה H4100
מָ֣ה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 5 of 15
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
א֔וֹת What shall be the sign H226
א֔וֹת What shall be the sign
Strong's: H226
Word #: 6 of 15
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִרְפָּ֥א will heal H7495
יִרְפָּ֥א will heal
Strong's: H7495
Word #: 8 of 15
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִ֑י H0
לִ֑י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 10 of 15
וְעָלִ֛יתִי me and that I shall go up H5927
וְעָלִ֛יתִי me and that I shall go up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 11 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בַּיּ֥וֹם day H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 15
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
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖י the third H7992
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖י the third
Strong's: H7992
Word #: 13 of 15
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
בֵּ֥ית into the house H1004
בֵּ֥ית into the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 14 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 15 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

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?

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.

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