Isaiah 38:4
Isaiah 38:4 in Multiple Translations
And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,
¶ Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
Then came the word of Jehovah to Isaiah, saying,
Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying,
Then the Lord sent a message to Isaiah, saying,
Then came the worde of the Lord to Isaiah, saying,
And a word of Jehovah is unto Isaiah, saying,
Then the LORD’s word came to Isaiah, saying,
Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
And the word of the Lord came to Isaias, saying:
I left his room, but Yahweh gave me this message:
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 38:4
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 38:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
דְּבַר
יְהוָ֔ה
אֶֽל
יְשַׁעְיָ֖הוּ
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דְּבַר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֶֽל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
יְשַׁעְיָ֖הוּ
Yᵉshaʻyâh
H3470
Jeshaiah
N-proper
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 38:4
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
דְּבַר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֶֽל
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.
יְשַׁעְיָ֖הוּ
Yᵉshaʻyâh
H3470
"Jeshaiah"
N-proper
Jeshaiah means 'Jehovah has saved' and is the name of several Israelites, including a son of Hananiah and a chief of the house of Elam, as mentioned in Nehemiah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.25.3; son of: Jeduthun (H3038); brother of: Obed-edom (H5654), Mattithiah (H4993H), Gedaliah (H1436I), Zeri (H6874), Hashabiah (H2811I) § Isaiah or Jesaiah or Jeshaiah = "Jehovah has saved" 1) son of Hananiah, brother of Pelatiah, and grandson of Zerubbabel 2) a Benjamite 3) son of Athaliah and chief of the house of Elam who returned with Ezra 4) a chief of the descendants of Merari who returned with Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Isaiah, Jesaiah, Jeshaiah. See also: 2 Kings 19:2; 2 Chronicles 32:32; Isaiah 1:1.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Isaiah 38:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery
2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,
3saying, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,
5“Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.Isaiah 38:4 Summary
[This verse shows that God is ready to speak to those who seek Him, just like Hezekiah did in Isaiah 38:3. When we pray and seek God's face, He often responds by speaking to us through His Word, as seen in Psalms 119:105, or through other believers, as in this case with Isaiah. God's desire is to communicate with us and guide us on our journey, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6. By listening to God's voice, we can receive comfort, direction, and hope for the future.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the word of the LORD coming to Isaiah in this context?
The word of the LORD coming to Isaiah signifies that God is about to communicate a message to Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah, as seen in Isaiah 38:4, similar to how God spoke to prophets in other instances, such as in Ezekiel 1:3 and Jeremiah 1:4.
Why did God choose to speak to Hezekiah through Isaiah instead of directly?
God often chooses to speak through prophets, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:15 and Acts 3:22, to emphasize the importance of the message and to provide a human intermediary who can interpret and apply the divine message.
What can we learn from the fact that the word of the LORD came to Isaiah after Hezekiah's prayer?
This incident shows that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people, as promised in Psalms 34:15 and Jeremiah 33:3, and that He often uses prophets or other believers to communicate His answers and guidance.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse serves as a pivotal moment in the chapter, as it marks the transition from Hezekiah's prayer to God's response, which is then delivered through Isaiah, as seen in Isaiah 38:5-6, highlighting God's faithfulness and mercy towards those who seek Him, as stated in Lamentations 3:22-23.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has spoken to me in the past, and how have I responded to His voice?
- How can I, like Hezekiah, approach God with faith and wholehearted devotion, as described in Isaiah 38:3?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to hear a word from the Lord, and how can I position myself to receive His guidance?
- In what ways can I be a vessel for God to speak to others, just as Isaiah was used by God to speak to Hezekiah?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 38:4
Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah,.... Before he had got out into the middle court, 2 Kings 20:4: saying, as follows:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 38:4
Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 38:4
Isaiah 38:4 Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Ver. 4. See 2 Kings 20:4
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 38:4
4. In 2 Kings 20:4 we read that “afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court,” this message came to him. So quickly was the king’s prayer answered. A somewhat similar instance of the revocation of one prophetic communication by another is that of Nathan in the matter of the building of the Temple (2 Samuel 7:3-4 ff.).
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 38:4
Then came the word of the Lord - In the parallel place in 2 Kings 20:4, it is said, ‘And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came unto him.’
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 38:4
4, 5. Go… say to Hezekiah — Isaiah lives in holy communion with God.