Isaiah 26:16 — Word Study
WLCיְהוָ֖ה בַּצַּ֣ר פְּקָד֑וּךָ צָק֣וּן לַ֔חַשׁ מוּסָרְךָ֖ לָֽמוֹ׃
BSAO LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] they sought Youpâqad■ [visited, came to] in their distresstsar [times of, midst of, trouble, affliction] when You disciplined themmûwçâr [as their Father, chastened, corrected] they poured outtsûwq■ [uttered, sent up] a quiet prayerlachash [whispered, private, cry for help, heartfelt supplication]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יְהוָ֖ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| בַּצַּ֣ר | in distress | Preposition |
| פְּקָד֑וּךָ | people sought you | Verb qal perfect third person common plural, suffix |
| צָק֣וּן | they poured out ! | Verb qal perfect third person common plural, suffix |
| לַ֔חַשׁ | a whisper | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| מוּסָרְךָ֖ | chastening your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לָֽמוֹ׃ | [was] to them | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | O LORD, they sought You in their distress; when You disciplined them, they poured out a quiet prayer. |
| KJV | LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. |
| ASV | Jehovah, in trouble have they visited thee; they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. |
| YLT | O Jehovah, in distress they missed Thee, They have poured out a whisper, Thy chastisement [is] on them. |
| WEB | Yahweh, in trouble they have visited you. They poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them. |
| BBE | Lord, in trouble our eyes have been turned to you, we sent up a prayer when your punishment was on us. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse without significant variation.
The verse has a main clause with two subordinate phrases, indicating the cause and effect of the people's actions.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 26:16
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Response to God's Disciplinegenerated
Isaiah 26:16 reflects the people's acknowledgment of their need for God during times of distress. They recognize that His discipline is a part of their relationship with Him, prompting them to seek Him earnestly. This passage illustrates a common theme in the Hebrew Scriptures, where God's people turn to Him in times of trouble, as seen in other verses like Deuteronomy 4:29-30 and Psalm 50:15.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 4:29–30 | But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. |
| 2 | Judges 10:9–10 | The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim, and Israel was in deep distress. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 6:37–38 | and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 33:12–13 | And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. |
| 5 | Psalm 50:15 | Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פְּקָד֑וּךָ, pe.ka.Du.chagenerated
The verb פָּקַד (paqad) means to visit or oversee, implying an active seeking or attending to someone or something. In this context, it reflects the people's earnest desire to connect with God during their hardships.
The parsing as a perfect tense indicates a completed action, highlighting that this seeking is a response to God's previous actions, particularly His discipline. This verb encompasses a range of actions, from care to correction, showcasing the multifaceted nature of their relationship with the LORD.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses: the first describes the people's action of seeking God in their distress, and the second details their response to His discipline through prayer. The structure emphasizes the relationship between their troubles and their seeking of God.
The verb פְּקָד֑וּ is central, governing the actions of the subjects. The prepositional phrase בַּצַּ֣ר indicates the context of their seeking, while the participial phrase צָק֣וּן elaborates on their response.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְהוָ֖ה as κύριε, which means 'Lord.' This choice reflects a direct address to God, maintaining the reverence associated with the divine name.
For צָק֣וּן, the Septuagint uses θλίψει, suggesting a focus on the affliction aspect of their situation, which aligns with the overall theme of seeking God in distress.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 26:16 shows that the people of Israel sought the LORD during their times of trouble. They recognized His discipline and responded by pouring out a quiet prayer to Him. This reflects a deep relationship where they turn to God for help in their distress.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the people turned to God for help and guidance during their difficult times, recognizing their need for His presence.
Discipline indicates God's correction, which leads the people to reflect on their actions and seek Him earnestly in prayer.
A quiet prayer refers to a heartfelt, private communication with God, often made in a whisper or soft voice, reflecting sincerity and intimacy.
This verse connects with other passages where God's people cry out to Him in distress, such as in Psalm 50:15, highlighting a consistent theme of seeking divine help.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I sought God during my own times of distress?
- How can I better understand God's discipline in my life?
- What does a quiet prayer look like for me?
- How can I encourage others to seek God in their troubles?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Jerome comments on this verse, noting the people's response to God in distress and their acknowledgment of His teaching during tribulation.
Lord, in distress they sought you, in tribulation they murmured your teaching. LXX: Lord, in tribulation I remembered you, in small tribulation your teaching was to us.Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 26 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 26:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLord, in trouble have they visited thee,.... This, and the two following verses Isaiah 26:17, represent the troubles and disappointments of the church and people of God, before the destruction of
Read John Gill on Isaiah 26 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 26 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey, to wit, thy people, as appears both from the matter of this verse, and from the following verses. Visited thee; come into thy presence, with their prayers and supplications, as the next clause explains it. They poured out; which notes the plenty or rather the earnestness of their prayers, as 142:2. A prayer, Heb. a muttering or lowly speech, such as charmers use, and such as Hezekiah used when he was in great distress, , Like a crane or swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove; and such as is usual in case of great humiliation and dejection of mind. When thy chastening was upon them; when thou wast punishing them for their sins.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 26 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 26:16 LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer [when] thy chastening [was] upon them.Ver. 16. Lord, in trouble have they visited thee.] Pulcherrimus afflictationum fructus, precandi ardor et assiduitas. Affliction exciteth devotion, as blowing doth the fire. Christ in his agony prayed most earnestly. Martha and Mary, when their brother Lazarus was sick, sent messengers to Jesus; Quos putas nisi suspiria continuata, nisi preces irremissas, saith Scultetus - i.e., what were those messengers but their continued groans and earnest prayers? See Hosea 5:15. Prayer is the daughter of affliction, and the mother of comfort. They poured out.] Freely and largely, and…
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 26 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) Lord, in trouble have they visited thee.—Better, have they missed Thee (as in 1 Samuel 20:6; 1 Samuel 25:15), or sought after Thee, or, remembered Thee.They poured out a prayer . . .—The word for “prayer” is a peculiar one, commonly used, as in Isaiah 3:3; Isaiah 8:19, for the whispered incantations of the heathen. Here it appears to mean the low-toned prayers, pitched as in a minor key, of the afflicted. In Isaiah 29:4 we have the same thought more fully developed.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 26 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. Lord, in trouble have they visited thee - "O JEHOVAH, in affliction we have sought thee"] So the Septuagint and two MSS. have פקדנוך pekadnucha, in the first person plural. And so perhaps it should be צקנו tsaknu, in the first person; but how the Septuagint read this word is not clear; and this last member of the verse is extremely obscure. For למו lamo, "on them," the Septuagint read לנו lanu, "on us," in the first person likewise; a frequent mistake; See Clarke on Isaiah 10:29.
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 26 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16–18. The poet plunges abruptly into a train of reflection on the depressing side of the nation’s experience.
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 26 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BiblePoured out a prayer - Margin, ‘Secret speech.’ The Hebrew word לחשׁ lachash means properly a whispering, muttering; and thru a sighing, a calling for help. This is the sense here.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 26 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
O LORD, they sought You in their distress; when You disciplined them, they poured out a quiet prayer.
Yahweh, in trouble they have visited you. They poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them.
O LORD, they sought You in their distress; when You disciplined them, they poured out a quiet prayer.
O Lord, in distress they looked for you; they uttered incantations because of your discipline.
Tyndale line
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
Jehovah, in trouble have they visited thee; they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
Lord, in trouble haue they visited thee: they powred out a prayer when thy chastening was vpon them.
Strictly literal
Jehovah, in trouble they sought thee; they poured out [their] whispered prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
O Jehovah, in distress they missed Thee, They have poured out a whisper, Thy chastisement [is] on them.
O YHWH, in distress they missed You, || They have poured out a whisper, || Your discipline [is] on them.
Lord, in trouble have they sought thee, they poured out earnest prayers when thy chastening was upon them.
Yahweh, in trouble have they looked to you; they whispered prayers when your discipline was on them.
From the Latin
Lord, they have sought after thee in distress, in the tribulation of murmuring thy instruction was with them.
Simplified
Lord, when we were suffering we came to you, pouring out our prayers like whispers as you disciplined us.
Lord, in trouble our eyes have been turned to you, we sent up a prayer when your punishment was on us.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, and the Dead Sea Scrolls largely agree in wording, with the Septuagint providing a direct translation of the Hebrew terms. The 4Q56 scroll shows some restoration, indicating damage, but the key phrases match the Masoretic Text.
יְהוָ֖ה בַּצַּ֣ר פְּקָד֑וּךָ צָק֣וּן לַ֔חַשׁ מוּסָרְךָ֖ לָֽמוֹ׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
יהוה בצר פקדו׳ך צקו׳ן לחש׳ו מוסרי׳ך ל׳מו
7 words on the leather.
יהוה [בצר] [פקדו׳ך] צקו׳ן לחש [מוסר׳ך] [ל׳מו]
2 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 26:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
The Hebrew word צַר (tsar) is built from the root meaning 'narrow' or 'tight.' It encompasses a range of meanings including 'distress,' 'adversary,' and 'hard pebble' or 'flint.' The term can refer to physical tightness or metaphorical trouble, as well as an enemy or foe. It appears in contexts of anguish and tribulation, with a specific verse reference in Isaiah 5:28.
צַר adj. narrow, tight
base
צַר n.[m.] straits, distress
base
צַר 68 n.m. adversary, foe
base
צַר n.[m.] hard pebble, flint;—Is 5:28
ref
H6862a צַר narrow, tight H6862b צַר straits, distress H6862c צַר adversary, foe H6862d צַר hard pebble, flint
6862 tsar tsar
or tsar {tsawr}; from 6887; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place
(usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in
6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding):--adversary,
afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe,
narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06887
see HEBREW for 06864
צַר (tsar) — narrow.
narrow, tight
צַר (tsar) — distress.
straits, distress
צַר (tsar) — enemy.
adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor
צַר (tsar) — hard.
hard pebble, flint
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aamsa
פָּקַד (paqad) is a Hebrew verb that encompasses a range of meanings including to attend to, visit, muster, appoint, and punish. It can imply oversight or care, as well as the act of seeking or lacking something. The word can also be used in various grammatical forms, indicating actions such as being appointed or being visited upon. The plural form פְּקוּדִים refers to musterings or expenses.
פָּקַד 303 vb. attend to, visit, muster, appoint
Qal
pay attention to, observe (with care, practical interest)
attend to, in act, see to
seek (with interest, desire)
seek in vain, need, miss, lack
specif. visit, c. acc., for different purposes
c. עַל pers., visit upon
pass in review, muster (nearly = number), c. acc.
appoint
Niph.
be (sought, i.e. needed) missed, lacking
be visited (graciously)
be visited upon, עַל pers.
be appointed
Pi. (intens.) muster a host
Pu. be passed in review; be caused to miss, deprived
Hithp. be mustered
Hothp. id.
Hiph.
c. acc. pers. set (over), make overseer
c. acc. rei (implic.)
commit, entrust
deposit
Hoph.
be visited in punishment
be deposited
be made overseer
base
[פְּקוּדִים] n.pl.[m.] abstr. musterings, i.e. expenses;—cstr. Ex 38:21
ref
H6485a פָּקַד attend to, visit, muster, appoint .. . . pay attention to, observe (with care, practical interest)
. attend to, in act, see to
. seek (with interest, desire)
. seek in vain, need, miss, lack
. specif. visit, c. acc., for different purposes
. c. עַל pers., visit upon
. pass in review, muster (nearly = number), c. acc.
. appoint
. . be (sought, i.e. needed) missed, lacking
. be visited (graciously)
. be visited upon, עַל pers.
. be appointed
. (intens.) muster a host
. be passed in review; be caused to miss, deprived
. be mustered
. id.
. . c. acc. pers. set (over), make overseer
. c. acc. rei (implic.) . commit, entrust
. deposit
. . be visited in punishment
. be deposited
. be made overseer
H6485b פְּקוּדִים n. pl. [m.] abstr. musterings, i.e. expenses
6485 paqad paw-kad'
a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent);
by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss,
deposit, etc.:--appoint, X at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint
to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep,
be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up,
look, make, X by any means, miss, number, officer, (make)
overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to)
remember(-brance), set (over), sum, X surely, visit, want.
פָּקַד (pa.qad) — to reckon: list.
: list/count
1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pay attention to, observe
1a2) to attend to
1a3) to seek, look about for
1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack
1a5) to visit
1a6) to visit upon, punish
1a7) to pass in review, muster, number
1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking
1b2) to be visited
1b3) to be visited upon
1b4) to be appointed
1b5) to be watched over
1c) (Piel) to muster, call up
1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer
1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit
1f) (Hophal)
1f1) to be visited
1f2) to be deposited
1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted
1g) (Hithpael) numbered
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffixHVqp3cp/Sp2ms
צוּק (tsuq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to pour out or melt. It is derived from a primitive root that suggests the idea of narrowness, often used in contexts of smelting or pouring. The entries consistently emphasize its application in both literal and figurative senses.
[צוּק] vb. pour out, melt
base
H6694 [צוּק] pour out, melt
6694 tsuwq tsook
a primitive root (identical with 6693 through the idea of
narrowness (of orifice)); to pour out, i.e. (figuratively)
smelt, utter:--be molten, pour.
see HEBREW for 06693
צוּק (tsuq) — to pour.
(Qal) to pour out, melt
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffixHVqp3cp/Sn
The Hebrew word לַ֫חַשׁ (*lachash*) means a whisper or charm, and can refer to both positive and negative connotations, such as private prayer or incantations. It is associated with charms and amulets, particularly those worn by women. The entries highlight its use in contexts of enchantment and prayer.
לַ֫חַשׁ n.[m.] a whispering, charming
serpent-charming
charms, amulets, worn by women
whisper of prayer
base
H3908 לַ֫חַשׁ a whispering, charming
3908 lachash lakh'-ash
from 3907; properly, a whisper, i.e. by implication, (in a
good sense) a private prayer, (in a bad one) an incantation;
concretely, an amulet:--charmed, earring, enchantment, orator,
prayer.
see HEBREW for 03907
לַ֫חַשׁ (la.chash) — charm.
1) whispering, charming
1a) serpent-charming
1b) charms, amulets (worn by women)
1c) whisper (of prayer)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ See BUSYBODY
→ See SLANDER
→ See TALEBEARER
מוּסָר (mūsar) refers to discipline, chastening, and correction, particularly of a moral nature. It encompasses concepts like reproof, warning, and instruction, and can also imply restraint or bonds. The entries consistently highlight its focus on moral and instructional aspects, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מוּסָר n.m. discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction
base
H4148 מוּסָר discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction
4148 muwcar moo-sawr'
from 3256; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof,
warning or instruction; also restraint:--bond, chastening
((-eth)), chastisement, check, correction, discipline,
doctrine, instruction, rebuke.
see HEBREW for 03256
מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline.
: discipline/punishment
1) discipline, chastening, correction
1a) discipline, correction
1b) chastening
מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: instruction.
: instruction
1) discipline, chastening, correction
1a) discipline, correction
1b) chastening
מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: bonds.
: bonds/noose
1) discipline, chastening, correction
1a) discipline, correction
1b) chastening
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp