Isaiah 38:5

Authorized King James Version

Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הָל֞וֹךְ
Go
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
אָמַ֤ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
חִזְקִיָּ֗הוּ
to Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#5
כֹּֽה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#6
אָמַ֤ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֱלֹהֵי֙
the God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#9
דָּוִ֣ד
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#10
אָבִ֔יךָ
H1
thy father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#11
שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙
I have heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
תְּפִלָּתֶ֔ךָ
thy prayer
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
#14
רָאִ֖יתִי
I have seen
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
דִּמְעָתֶ֑ךָ
thy tears
weeping
#17
הִנְנִי֙
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#18
יוֹסִ֣ף
behold I will add
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
#19
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
יָמֶ֔יךָ
unto thy days
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
#21
חֲמֵ֥שׁ
fifteen
five
#22
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#23
שָׁנָֽה׃
years
a year (as a revolution of time)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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