Isaiah 38:16
O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
Original Language Analysis
עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְהַחֲיֵֽנִי׃
by these things men live
H2421
וְהַחֲיֵֽנִי׃
by these things men live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
3 of 9
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וּלְכָל
H3605
וּלְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חַיֵּ֣י
and in all these things is the life
H2416
חַיֵּ֣י
and in all these things is the life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
6 of 9
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
רוּחִ֔י
of my spirit
H7307
רוּחִ֔י
of my spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
7 of 9
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
Cross References
1 Corinthians 11:32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.Deuteronomy 8:3And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Historical Context
Hebrew thought didn't sharply distinguish physical and spiritual realms. Life was unified, with God as source of all vitality and wellbeing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God as source of all life affect our view of health and existence?
- What does the connection between physical and spiritual life teach about holistic faith?
- How should dependence on God for every breath shape our daily gratitude and worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The declaration "O Lord, by these things men live" recognizes that life itself depends on God's sustaining power, not merely physical processes. The phrase "in all these things is the life of my spirit" shows that spiritual vitality comes from the same source as physical life. The prayer "so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live" asks for comprehensive restoration—both body and spirit. This holistic view sees physical health and spiritual life as interconnected, both flowing from God.