Isaiah 38:19
Isaiah 38:19 in Multiple Translations
The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.
The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: The father to the children shall make known thy truth.
The living, the living man, he will give you praise, as I do this day: the father will give the story of your mercy to his children.
It's only the living who can praise you as I'm doing today. Parents explain to their children how you can be trusted.
But the liuing, the liuing, he shall confesse thee, as I doe this day: the father to the children shall declare thy trueth.
The living, the living, he doth confess Thee.
The living, the living, he shall praise you, as I do today. The father shall make known your truth to the children.
The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
The living, the living, he shall give praise to thee, as I do this day: the father shall make thy truth known to the children.
Only people who are still alive, like I am, can praise you. Fathers tell their children how you are faithful, and if I remain alive, I will do the same thing.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 38:19
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 38:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חַ֥י
חַ֛י
ה֥וּא
יוֹדֶ֖/ךָ
כָּמ֣וֹ/נִי
הַ/יּ֑וֹם
אָ֣ב
לְ/בָנִ֔ים
יוֹדִ֖יעַ
אֶל
אֲמִתֶּֽ/ךָ
חַ֥י
chay
H2416
alive
Adj
חַ֛י
chay
H2416
alive
Adj
ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
יוֹדֶ֖/ךָ
yâdâh
H3034
to give thanks
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
כָּמ֣וֹ/נִי
kᵉmôw
H3644
like
Prep | Suff
הַ/יּ֑וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Art | N-ms
אָ֣ב
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms
לְ/בָנִ֔ים
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-mp
יוֹדִ֖יעַ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אֲמִתֶּֽ/ךָ
ʼemeth
H571
truth
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 38:19
חַ֥י
chay
H2416
"alive"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
חַ֛י
chay
H2416
"alive"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
יוֹדֶ֖/ךָ
yâdâh
H3034
"to give thanks"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
To give thanks or praise, originally meaning to throw or cast, like shooting an arrow. In the Bible, it's used to describe worship or confession with extended hands. It appears in Psalms and other books, like 1 Chronicles.
Definition: 1) to throw, shoot, cast 1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows) 1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give thanks, laud, praise 1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God) 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to confess (sin) 1d2) to give thanks Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדָא "to praise" H3029)
Usage: Occurs in 111 OT verses. KJV: cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving). See also: Genesis 29:35; Psalms 57:10; Psalms 6:6.
כָּמ֣וֹ/נִי
kᵉmôw
H3644
"like"
Prep | Suff
This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.
Definition: adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were
Usage: Occurs in 126 OT verses. KJV: according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Job 40:17; Psalms 29:6.
הַ/יּ֑וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Art | 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.
אָ֣ב
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
לְ/בָנִ֔ים
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יוֹדִ֖יעַ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אֲמִתֶּֽ/ךָ
ʼemeth
H571
"truth"
N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means truth, faithfulness, or stability, and is often used to describe God's character and promises. In Psalm 100:5, it says God's truth endures forever, and in Proverbs 12:17, it emphasizes the importance of truthful speech.
Definition: : faithful 1) firmness, faithfulness, truth 1a) sureness, reliability 1b) stability, continuance 1c) faithfulness, reliableness 1d) truth 1d1) as spoken 1d2) of testimony and judgment 1d3) of divine instruction 1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge 1d5) true doctrine adv 2) in truth, truly
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity. See also: Genesis 24:27; Psalms 111:7; Psalms 15:2.
Study Notes — Isaiah 38:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 38:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 38:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 38:19
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 38:19
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 38:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 38:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 38:19
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 38:19
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 38:19
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 38:19
- Sermons on Isaiah 38:19
Context — Hezekiah’s Song of Thanksgiving
17Surely for my own welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
18For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
19The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.
20The LORD will save me; we will play songs on stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the house of the LORD. 21Now Isaiah had said, “Prepare a lump of pressed figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 6:7 | And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. |
| 2 | Psalms 119:175 | Let me live to praise You; may Your judgments sustain me. |
| 3 | Psalms 78:3–6 | that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us. We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed. For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the coming generation would know them— even children yet to be born— to arise and tell their own children |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 4:9 | Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. |
| 5 | Psalms 146:2 | I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. |
| 6 | Exodus 12:26–27 | When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. |
| 7 | Psalms 118:17 | I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done. |
| 8 | Joel 1:3 | Tell it to your children; let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. |
| 9 | Genesis 18:19 | For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.” |
| 10 | Psalms 145:4 | One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts— |
Isaiah 38:19 Summary
This verse means that only people who are alive can thank God and tell others about His faithfulness. It's a reminder to be grateful to God now, while we still can, and to share stories of His goodness with our children and others, just like it says in Psalms 100:5. We should take time to thank God for all that He has done for us, and to pass on the stories of His faithfulness to the next generation, so that they can know and trust Him too, as seen in Exodus 12:26-27. By doing so, we can show our love and appreciation for God and help others to know Him better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the verse emphasize that only the living can thank God?
This emphasis is made to contrast the living with those who have died, as seen in Isaiah 38:18, where it says that Sheol and Death cannot praise God, highlighting the importance of expressing gratitude to God while we still have the opportunity, as encouraged in Psalms 107:1 and Psalms 118:1.
What does it mean for fathers to tell their children about God's faithfulness?
This means that the faithfulness of God will be passed down from generation to generation, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 and Psalms 78:4, so that children can learn about God's goodness and trustworthiness.
How does this verse relate to the concept of legacy and heritage?
This verse shows that our legacy is not just what we leave behind in terms of material possessions, but also the stories of God's faithfulness that we pass on to our children and grandchildren, as seen in Psalms 145:4, where one generation praises God's works to another.
What is the significance of the phrase 'as I do today' in this verse?
The phrase 'as I do today' emphasizes the present moment and the importance of thanking God now, rather than waiting for a more convenient time, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, where we are told to give thanks in every circumstance.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can express my gratitude to God today, and how can I make thankfulness a regular part of my daily life?
- How have I seen God's faithfulness in my own life, and what stories can I share with others about His goodness?
- What are some things that I can do to pass on the stories of God's faithfulness to the next generation, and how can I make sure that my children and grandchildren know about God's love and trustworthiness?
- In what ways can I use my experiences, both good and bad, to testify to God's faithfulness and encourage others to trust in Him?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 38:19
The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day,.... Every one of the living, or such who are both corporeally and spiritually alive; and therefore the word is repeated; none but such
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 38:19
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 38:19
He shall praise thee; they are especially obliged to it, and they only have this privilege. The father to the children shall make known thy truth; they shall not only praise thee whilst they live, but take care to propagate and perpetuate thy praise and glory to all succeeding generations.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 38:19
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.Ver. 19. The living, the living, he shall praise thee.] Those that live the life of nature, if withal they live the life of grace, and so are living living, and not "dead while they live": for the wicked cannot praise God; they can say God a thank, and that is all. But as it is with the hand dial - the finger of the dial standeth at twelve, when the dial hath not moved one minute; so though their tongues are forward in praises, yet their hearts stand still. What they do this way is but "dead work." The father to the son shall make known.] And for this end parents may desire to live longer. Hezekiah did his part, no doubt, by wicked Manasseh, who also at length repented and was saved.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 38:19
(19) The father to the children . . .—The words are perfectly general, but they receive a special significance from the fact that Hezekiah’s son and successor, Manasseh, who was only twelve years old at his father’s death (2 Kings 21:1), was not born till two or three years afterwards. At the time of his illness the king may still have been childless, and the thought that there was no son to take his place may have added bitterness to his grief. “Thy truth,” has here the sense of “faithfulness” rather than of the truth about God which is the object of belief.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 38:19
Verse 19. Thy truth] אל אמתך el amittecha. A MS. omits אל el; and instead of אל el, an ancient MS. and one edition read את eth. The same mistake as in Psalms 2:7.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 38:19
19. the father … truth] Cf. Psalms 22:30; Psalms 48:13-14; Psalms 71:18; Psalms 78:3-4.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 38:19
The living, the living - An emphatic or intensive form of expression, as in Isaiah 38:11, Isaiah 38:17. Nothing would express his idea but a repetition of the word, as if the heart was full of it.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 38:19
19. The living, the living — Intensive of those who were conceived as alone able to render active praises to God.
Sermons on Isaiah 38:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Old Testament Survey - Part 21 by Dick Woodward | The sermon focuses on the Book of Deuteronomy, highlighting the transition of the second generation of God's people entering the promised land of Canaan after the first generation |
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Duty of the Present to the Coming Generation. by Edward Payson | Edward Payson preaches about the duty of one generation to praise and declare God's works to the next generation, emphasizing the importance of transmitting religious knowledge and |
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The Godly Family - Part 1 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of diligently teaching the word of God to our children. He highlights the need for continuous instruction and conversation abo |
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(Education for Exultation) I Am the Lord, and Besides Me There Is No Savior by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of "Education for Exaltation" and its relation to the fundamental values and commitments of the church. The speaker emphasizes the |
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(Om Orientation) Our Weapons the Word - Part 1 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker compares a soldier with a weapon to a believer with the Word of God. He emphasizes the importance of knowing how to effectively use the weapon, just as |
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Death to Self by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering and reminding ourselves of the truth that sets us free. He encourages everyone to take copies of the sermon tra |
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Ravenhill Humor - Who's the Author by Leonard Ravenhill | In the sermon, the speaker mentions the famous story of Rip Van Winkle, which is well-known around the world, including in Russia. However, the speaker asks the audience if they kn |