Isaiah 37:30
And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.
Original Language Analysis
הָא֔וֹת
And this shall be a sign
H226
הָא֔וֹת
And this shall be a sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
3 of 17
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
סָפִ֔יחַ
such as groweth
H5599
סָפִ֔יחַ
such as groweth
Strong's:
H5599
Word #:
6 of 17
something (spontaneously) falling off, i.e., a self-sown crop; figuratively, a freshet
הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית
of itself and the second
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית
of itself and the second
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗ית
of the same and in the third
H7992
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗ית
of the same and in the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
11 of 17
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
וְקִצְר֛וּ
ye and reap
H7114
וְקִצְר֛וּ
ye and reap
Strong's:
H7114
Word #:
13 of 17
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
וְנִטְע֥וּ
and plant
H5193
וְנִטְע֥וּ
and plant
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
2 Kings 19:29And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Exodus 3:12And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.2 Kings 20:9And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
Historical Context
Assyrian invasions disrupted agricultural cycles. Soldiers trampled fields, preventing normal planting and harvest. The sign's multi-year timeline showed God's comprehensive restoration plan.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God provide tangible signs to strengthen faith during waiting periods?
- What does the multi-year timeline teach about trusting God's promises beyond immediate relief?
- How do we maintain faith when God's timeline extends longer than we prefer?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The "sign" given to Hezekiah provides tangible evidence of God's promise. "Ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself" and next year "that which springeth of the same" describes two years without normal planting due to Assyrian invasion's disruption. "In the third year sow ye" promises return to normalcy, indicating Assyria will be gone. This sign requires faith—waiting two years for fulfillment tests trust. The agricultural timeline demonstrates God's promise extends beyond immediate crisis to long-term restoration.