Isaiah 38:11
I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
Original Language Analysis
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶרְאֶ֣ה
I shall not see
H7200
אֶרְאֶ֣ה
I shall not see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 14
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הַחַיִּ֑ים
of the living
H2416
הַחַיִּ֑ים
of the living
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
7 of 14
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אַבִּ֥יט
I shall behold
H5027
אַבִּ֥יט
I shall behold
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
9 of 14
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
אָדָ֛ם
man
H120
אָדָ֛ם
man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
10 of 14
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
ע֖וֹד
H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
12 of 14
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
Historical Context
Before Christ's resurrection, the afterlife remained shadowy. Old Testament saints trusted God but lacked clear revelation of resurrection hope and eternal life.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's resurrection transform our view of death from Hezekiah's perspective?
- What does Hezekiah's grief teach about the value of worship and community?
- How should we balance proper grief over death with resurrection hope?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The grief "I shall not see the LORD" expresses deepest loss—death means separation from conscious worship and God's presence. "Even the LORD, in the land of the living" emphasizes that relationship with God belongs to earthly life in Old Testament understanding. The parallel "I shall behold man no more" adds relational loss—community and fellowship end at death. This pre-resurrection perspective makes death genuinely tragic, unlike New Testament confidence of presence with Christ (Philippians 1:23).