Isaiah 38:3

Authorized King James Version

And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּאמַ֗ר
And said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אָנָּ֤ה
I beseech
oh now!
#3
יְהוָה֙
now O LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
זְכָר
Remember
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#5
נָ֞א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#6
אֵ֣ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי
thee how I have walked
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
לְפָנֶ֗יךָ
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#10
בֶּֽאֱמֶת֙
thee in truth
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
#11
וּבְלֵ֣ב
heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#12
שָׁלֵ֔ם
and with a perfect
complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly
#13
וְהַטּ֥וֹב
that which is good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#14
בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ
in thy sight
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#15
עָשִׂ֑יתִי
and have done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#16
וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ
wept
to weep; generally to bemoan
#17
חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ
And Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#18
בְּכִ֥י
a weeping; by analogy, a dripping
#19
גָדֽוֹל׃
sore
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of truth connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about truth, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes truth in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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