Isaiah 38:13

Isaiah 38:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me.

King James Version KJV

I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.

American Standard Version ASV

I quieted myself until morning; as a lion, so he breaketh all my bones: From day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.

Bible in Basic English BBE

I am crying out with pain till the morning; it is as if a lion was crushing all my bones.

Free Bible Version FBV

I lie there patiently until the morning, but I feel like there's a lion breaking every bone in my body. Day and night you bring me to an end.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

I rekoned to the morning: but he brake all my bones, like a lion: from day to night wilt thou make an ende of me.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

I have set [Him] till morning as a lion, So doth He break all my bones, From day unto night Thou dost end me.

World English Bible WEB

I waited patiently until morning. He breaks all my bones like a lion. From day even to night you will make an end of me.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

I reckoned till morning, that , as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

I hoped till morning, as a lion so hath he broken all my bones: from morning even to night thou wilt make an end of me.

Translation for Translators T4T

I waited patiently all during the night, but my pain was as though [MET] I was being torn apart by lions. It seemed that my life was finished.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 38:13

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 38:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB שִׁוִּ֤יתִי עַד בֹּ֨קֶר֙ כָּֽ/אֲרִ֔י כֵּ֥ן יְשַׁבֵּ֖ר כָּל עַצְמוֹתָ֑/י מִ/יּ֥וֹם עַד לַ֖יְלָה תַּשְׁלִימֵֽ/נִי

שִׁוִּ֤יתִי shâvâh H7737 be like V-Piel-Perf-1cs

עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep

בֹּ֨קֶר֙ bôqer H1242 morning N-ms

כָּֽ/אֲרִ֔י ʼărîy H738 lion Prep | N-ms

כֵּ֥ן kên H3651 right Part

יְשַׁבֵּ֖ר shâbar H7665 to break V-Piel-Imperf-3ms

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

עַצְמוֹתָ֑/י ʻetsem H6106 bone N-fp | Suff

מִ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 day Prep | N-ms

עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep

לַ֖יְלָה layil H3915 night N-ms

תַּשְׁלִימֵֽ/נִי shâlam H7999 to complete V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 38:13

שִׁוִּ֤יתִי shâvâh H7737 "be like" V-Piel-Perf-1cs

This word means to set or place something, and it is used to describe the act of leveling or equalizing something. It can also mean to adjust or compare things, and it is used in various contexts in the Bible.

Definition: 1) to agree with, be or become like, level, resemble 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be like 1a2) equivalent (participle) 1a3) to set, place 1a4) setting (participle) 1b) (Piel) to level, smooth, still 1c) (Hiphil) to make like 1d) (Nithpael) to be alike Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be like" H7739A)

Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: avail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail, (be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a-) like, make plain, profit, reckon. See also: 2 Samuel 22:34; Psalms 131:2; Psalms 16:8.

עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep

This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.

Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.

בֹּ֨קֶר֙ bôqer H1242 "morning" N-ms

The break of day or morning, a time of new beginnings, as in the morning sacrifices in Exodus 29:39 or the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week in John 20:1.

Definition: 1) morning, break of day 1a) morning 1a1) of end of night 1a2) of coming of daylight 1a3) of coming of sunrise 1a4) of beginning of day 1a5) of bright joy after night of distress (fig.) 1b) morrow, next day, next morning

Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. See also: Genesis 1:5; 1 Samuel 11:11; Psalms 5:4.

כָּֽ/אֲרִ֔י ʼărîy H738 "lion" Prep | N-ms

In biblical times, a lion was a symbol of strength and power, and is often mentioned in stories like Daniel in the lions' den. The word for lion appears in various forms, including pictures or images of lions, and is used in books like 1 Kings and 2 Kings.

Definition: 1) lion 1a) pictures or images of lions

Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). See also: Genesis 49:9; Proverbs 22:13; Psalms 7:3.

כֵּ֥ן kên H3651 "right" Part

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable

Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.

יְשַׁבֵּ֖ר shâbar H7665 "to break" V-Piel-Imperf-3ms

This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.

Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)

Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

עַצְמוֹתָ֑/י ʻetsem H6106 "bone" N-fp | Suff

In the original Hebrew, this word refers to a bone or the body, and can also mean the substance or essence of something. It is used in many parts of the Bible, including in the book of Genesis and Psalms, to describe the physical body.

Definition: : bone/limb 1) bone, essence, substance 1a) bone 1a1) body, limbs, members, external body 1b) bone (of animal) 1c) substance, self

Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: body, bone, [idiom] life, (self-) same, strength, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 2:23; Job 33:19; Psalms 6:3.

מִ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep

This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.

לַ֖יְלָה layil H3915 "night" N-ms

Night refers to the time of darkness, opposed to day, and can also symbolize adversity or hardship. It is a period of rest, but also of potential danger or uncertainty.

Definition: 1) night 1a) night (as opposed to day) 1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 223 OT verses. KJV: (mid-)night (season). See also: Genesis 1:5; 2 Samuel 17:16; Psalms 1:2.

תַּשְׁלִימֵֽ/נִי shâlam H7999 "to complete" V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff

This verb means to be at peace or to make peace with someone. It is used in the Bible to describe a state of safety or friendship. In the KJV, it is translated as 'make amends' or 'be at peace'.

Definition: 1) to be complete, be sound 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended 1a2) to be sound, be uninjured 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, finish 1b2) to make safe 1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation 1b4) to make good, pay 1b5) to requite, recompense, reward 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be performed 1c2) to be repaid, be requited 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to complete, perform 1d2) to make an end of Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)

Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 44:4; Psalms 7:5; Psalms 22:26.

Study Notes — Isaiah 38:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 38:13 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 38:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 38:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 38:13
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 38:13
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13
Sermons on Isaiah 38:13

Context — Hezekiah’s Song of Thanksgiving

11I said, “I will never again see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living; I will no longer look on mankind with those who dwell in this world. 12My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me.

13I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me.

14I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.” 15What can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk slowly all my years because of the anguish of my soul.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 51:8	Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
2	Daniel 6:24	At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
3	Psalms 50:22	Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
4	1 Corinthians 11:30–32	That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
5	Psalms 39:10	Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.
6	Job 16:12–14	I was at ease, but He shattered me; He seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has set me up as His target; His archers surround me. He pierces my kidneys without mercy and spills my gall on the ground. He breaks me with wound upon wound; He rushes me like a mighty warrior.
7	Job 10:16–17	Should I hold my head high, You would hunt me like a lion, and again display Your power against me. You produce new witnesses against me and multiply Your anger toward me. Hardships assault me in wave after wave.
8	1 Kings 13:24–26	As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived. When the prophet who had brought him back from his journey heard this, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the command of the LORD. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, and it has mauled him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to him.”
9	Hosea 5:14	For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.
10	1 Kings 20:36	Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him.

Isaiah 38:13 Summary

Isaiah 38:13 shows us that even in the midst of great suffering, we can trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. Isaiah uses strong imagery, like a lion breaking bones, to describe his pain, but he also shows us how to wait on God and trust in His plan (as seen in Psalm 27:14). By composing himself until morning, Isaiah demonstrates how we can find peace in the midst of turmoil by trusting in God's presence and promise to work all things for our good (Romans 8:28). This verse reminds us that our struggles are not outside of God's control, but are instead part of His larger plan to refine and redeem us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean when Isaiah says 'He breaks all my bones like a lion' in Isaiah 38:13?

This expression is a figurative way of describing the intense pain and suffering Isaiah is experiencing, similar to how the Psalmist describes God's discipline in Psalm 38:3, where his bones are filled with pain.

Why does Isaiah say 'from day until night You make an end of me' in Isaiah 38:13?

Isaiah is expressing his feeling of being overwhelmed by his suffering, which seems to have no end, much like Job's experience in Job 7:3-4, where he feels his days are filled with suffering.

Is Isaiah's suffering a result of his sin, as implied in Isaiah 38:13?

While the Bible does teach that sin can lead to suffering, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:15, Isaiah's suffering in this context is more related to his trust in God's sovereignty, as he states in Isaiah 38:15, 'He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this.'

How can Isaiah compose himself until morning despite his suffering, as mentioned in Isaiah 38:13?

Isaiah's ability to compose himself shows his trust in God's goodness, even in the midst of suffering, much like the apostle Paul's attitude in Romans 8:28, where he trusts that God works all things for good.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I feel like God is 'breaking my bones like a lion', and how can I trust Him in those moments?
In what ways can I 'compose myself until morning' when facing difficulties, and what does this reveal about my trust in God's sovereignty?
How does Isaiah's expression of suffering in Isaiah 38:13 encourage me to be honest with God about my own struggles, and what does this teach me about the importance of transparency in my relationship with Him?
What does Isaiah's statement 'from day until night You make an end of me' teach me about the relentless nature of God's work in my life, and how can I surrendered to His will?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 38:13

I reckoned till morning,.... Or, "I set my time till the morning (m)"; he fixed and settled it in his mind that he could live no longer than to the morning, if he lived so long; he thought he should

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 38:13

The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness: -The prayer and thanksgiving song of Hezekiah is only given here, not in the parallel passages of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Verse 9.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13

When I was filled with pain, and could not rest all the night long, even till morning, my thoughts were working and presaging that God would instantly break me to pieces, and that every moment would be my last; and the like restless and dismal thoughts followed me from morning till evening. But he mentions only the time before morning, to aggravate his misery, that he was so grievously tormented, when others had sweet rest and repose.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13

Isaiah 38:13 I reckoned till morning, [that], as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me.Ver. 13. I reckoned until morning.] And then, at utmost, I thought there would be an end of my life and pain together; for what through troubles without and terrors within, he was in a woe case, even as if a lion had broke all his bones. Hoc sentinnt qui magnis febribus aestuant, saith an interpreter. Now, whereas some say all die of a fever, let us take care we die not of a cold shaking fit of fear.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13

(13) I reckoned till morning . . .—Better, I quieted myself, as in Psalms 131:2. He threw himself into the calm submission of the weaned child; yet when the morning came there was a fresh access of suffering. Life had been prolonged, contrary to his expectations; but it was only for renewed agony. Surely that would end his sufferings.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13

Verse 13. The last line of the foregoing verse מיום עד לילה תשלימני migom ad layelah tashlimeni, "In the course of the day thou wilt finish my web;" or, as the common version has it, "From day even to night wilt thou make an end of me," is not repeated at the end of this verse in the Syriac version; and a MS. omits it. It seems to have been inserted a second time in the Hebrew text by mistake. I reckoned till morning, c. - "I roared until the morning like the lion"] For שויתי shivvithi, the Chaldee has נהמית nihameith: he read שאגתי shaagti, the proper term for the roaring of a lion often applied to the deep groaning of men in sickness. See Psalms 22:1; Psalms 32:3; Psalms 38:9; Job 3:24. The Masoretes divide the sentence, as I have done; taking כארי caari, like a lion, into the first member; and so likewise the Septuagint.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 38:13

13. I reckoned till morning] R.V. has “I quieted myself until morning.” It is better to amend the text slightly and read I cried until morning. so will he break (better, he breaketh) all my bones] the crushing effect of pain. Cf. Lamentations 3:4.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 38:13

I reckoned - There has been considerable variety in interpreting this expression.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 38:13

13. Night came, but no relief. Till morning — The disease wrought hard, like a lion, to break all my bones — To kill outright. Then all the following day.

Sermons on Isaiah 38:13

	Sermon	Description
	The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the lack of hope and spiritual decline in society. He criticizes the focus on material comforts and theological debates while neglecting the u
	(Through the Bible) 2 Samuel 8-16 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of following God's rules and the consequences of violating them. He uses the story of Tamar, who was publicly humiliated and e
	The Battle in Your Mind Over Sexual Sin by Tim Conway	This sermon emphasizes the importance of faith that breaks the dominion of sin in our lives, particularly focusing on the need for faith to save us from sexual immorality. It highl
	The Worst Things by Thomas Watson	Thomas Watson preaches about how the worst things, such as afflictions, temptations, desertions, and sins, can be overruled by God for the good of His people. He explains how affli
	Learning to Forgive Ourselves by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson emphasizes the challenge of self-forgiveness, illustrating this struggle through the life of King David, who, despite being forgiven by God, grappled with guilt and
	Letter 62 by James Bourne	James Bourne, in a letter to Mr. Nunn in Maidstone, August 1834, expresses his struggles with doubts about his own honesty and the fear of darkness at the end, yet finds comfort in
	Homily 3 on Romans by St. John Chrysostom	John Chrysostom preaches on Romans 1:18, emphasizing the severity of God's wrath against ungodliness and unrighteousness, revealing how those who reject the truth are left to their