Isaiah 38:22
Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?
Original Language Analysis
חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ
Hezekiah
H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ
Hezekiah
Strong's:
H2396
Word #:
2 of 8
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
מָ֣ה
H4100
מָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
א֑וֹת
What is the sign
H226
א֑וֹת
What is the sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
4 of 8
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶעֱלֶ֖ה
that I shall go up
H5927
אֶעֱלֶ֖ה
that I shall go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 8
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
John 5:14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.2 Kings 20:8And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
Historical Context
Requesting confirmatory signs appears throughout Scripture (Judges 6:36-40; 2 Kings 20:8-11). God sometimes grants them graciously, other times rebukes sign-seeking (Matthew 12:39).
Questions for Reflection
- When is asking God for confirmatory signs appropriate versus evidence of unbelief?
- How does God's gracious provision of signs demonstrate His patience with our weakness?
- What role should tangible evidence play in confirming faith versus replacing faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Hezekiah's question "What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?" requests confirmation of the healing promise. Asking for a sign isn't necessarily lack of faith but desire for assurance, particularly when the promise seems extraordinary. God graciously provides the sign of the reversed shadow (verse 8) without rebuking the request. This demonstrates that God understands human need for tangible confirmation of promises, especially in desperate circumstances. Asking for signs becomes problematic only when it substitutes for obedience or reveals unbelief.