Isaiah 38:19
The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
Original Language Analysis
חַ֛י
The living
H2416
חַ֛י
The living
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
1 of 11
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
חַ֛י
The living
H2416
חַ֛י
The living
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
2 of 11
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
ה֥וּא
H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 11
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יוֹדֶ֖ךָ
he shall praise
H3034
יוֹדֶ֖ךָ
he shall praise
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
4 of 11
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
הַיּ֑וֹם
thee as I do this day
H3117
הַיּ֑וֹם
thee as I do this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 11
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
אָ֣ב
the father
H1
אָ֣ב
the father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
7 of 11
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְבָנִ֔ים
to the children
H1121
לְבָנִ֔ים
to the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Deuteronomy 6:7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.Psalms 119:175Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.Deuteronomy 4:9Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;Psalms 118:17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.Psalms 145:4One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.Psalms 146:2While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.Genesis 18:19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.Deuteronomy 11:19And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.Joel 1:3Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Historical Context
Intergenerational faith transmission was central to Israelite identity (Deuteronomy 6:7). Parents teaching children God's works preserved covenant faith across generations.
Questions for Reflection
- What responsibility do those who experience God's deliverance have to testify?
- How does intergenerational faith transmission preserve the church across time?
- What stories of God's faithfulness do you need to share with the next generation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The contrast "The living, the living, he shall praise thee" emphasizes that worship is the privilege and responsibility of those alive. "As I do this day" makes it personal and immediate—Hezekiah fulfills this duty through his testimony. "The father to the children shall make known thy truth" establishes intergenerational responsibility—those who experience God's faithfulness must teach the next generation. This demonstrates that testimony isn't optional but obligatory—experiencing deliverance creates duty to declare it.