Isaiah 38:14
Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
Original Language Analysis
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֶהְגֶּ֖ה
I did mourn
H1897
אֶהְגֶּ֖ה
I did mourn
Strong's:
H1897
Word #:
5 of 13
to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder
כַּיּוֹנָ֑ה
as a dove
H3123
כַּיּוֹנָ֑ה
as a dove
Strong's:
H3123
Word #:
6 of 13
a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating)
דַּלּ֤וּ
fail
H1809
דַּלּ֤וּ
fail
Strong's:
H1809
Word #:
7 of 13
to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed
עֵינַי֙
mine eyes
H5869
עֵינַי֙
mine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
8 of 13
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Cross References
Isaiah 59:11We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.Psalms 69:3I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.Job 30:29I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.Nahum 2:7And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.Ezekiel 7:16But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.Psalms 143:7Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.Psalms 119:82Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?Job 17:3Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?Lamentations 4:17As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.
Historical Context
Ancient listeners would recognize these bird calls—the crane's harsh cry, swallow's chattering, and dove's mournful coo. The imagery made suffering's expression visceral.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we pray when pain overwhelms our ability to form coherent words?
- What does it mean to ask God to "undertake" for us as our guarantor?
- How does groaning in the Spirit (Romans 8:26) relate to inarticulate suffering prayer?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The simile "Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter" describes incoherent groaning in pain—unable to form coherent words. "I did mourn as a dove" adds the dove's mournful cooing, expressing grief. The physical symptom "mine eyes fail with looking upward" depicts exhaustion from looking toward heaven for help. The desperate cry "O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me" is plea for divine intervention. "Undertake" (Hebrew 'arab) means to act as guarantor or advocate, asking God to take responsibility for the situation.