This chapter contains the record of an important transaction which occurred in the time of Isaiah, and in which he was deeply interested - the dangerous sickness, and the remarkable recovery of Hezekiah. It is introduced here, doubtless, because the account was drawn up by Isaiah (see Analysis of Is... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THOSE DAYS - That is, his sickness commenced about the period in which the army of Sennacherib was destroyed. It has been made a question whether the sickness of Hezekiah was before or after the invasion of Sennacherib. The most natural interpretation certainly is, that it occurred after that inv... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HEZEKIAH TURNED HIS FACE TOWARD THE WALL - The wall of the room in which he was lying He was probably lying on a couch next the wall of his room. Eastern houses usually have such couches or ottomans running along on the sides of the room on which they recline, and on which they lie when they ar... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAID, REMEMBER NOW, O LORD, I BESEECH THEE - The object which Hezekiah desired was evidently that his life might be spared, and that he might not be suddenly cut off. He therefore makes mention of the former course of his life, not with ostentation, or as a ground of his acceptance or justificat... [ Continue Reading ]
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.’ That is, the message of God name to Isaiah before he had left Hezekiah; or as soon as he had offered hi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOD OF DAVID THY FATHER - David is mentioned here, probably, because Hezekiah had a strong resemblance to him 2 Kings 18:3, and because a long and happy reign had been granted to David; and also because the promise had been made to David that there should not fail a man to sit on his throne (see... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL DELIVER THEE AND THIS CITY - The purport of this promise is, that he and the city should be finally and entirely delivered from all danger of invasion from the Assyrians. It might be apprehended that Sennacherib would collect a large army, and return; or that his successor would prosecute... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS SHALL BE A SIGN UNTO THEE - That is, a sign, or proof that God would do what he had promised, and that Hezekiah would recover and be permitted to go again to the temple of the Lord Isa 38:22; 2 Kings 20:8. On the meaning of the word ‘sign,’ see Isaiah 7:11, note; Isaiah 7:14, note; compare... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I WILL BRING AGAIN THE SHADOW - The shadow, or shade which is made by the interception of the rays of the sun by the gnomon on the dial. The phrase ‘bring again’ (Hebrew, משׁיב _mēshı̂yb_) means to cause to return (Hiphil, from שׁוב _shûb_, to return); that is, I will cause it retrograde,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WRITING OF HEZEKIAH - This is the title to the following hymn - a record which Hezekiah made to celebrate the goodness of God in restoring him to health. The writing itself is poetry, as is indicated by the parallelism, and by the general structure. It is in many respects quite obscure - an obsc... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAID - Probably the words ‘I said’ do not imply that he said or spoke this openly or audibly; but this was the language of his heart, or the substance of his reflections. IN THE CUTTING OFF OF MY DAYS - There has been considerable diversity of interpretation in regard to this phrase. Vitringa rend... [ Continue Reading ]
I SHALL NOT SEE THE LORD - In the original, the Hebrew which is rendered ‘Lord,’ is not Yahweh, but יה יה _yâhh_ _yâhh_. On the meaning of it, see the note at Isaiah 12:2 (compare the note at Isaiah 7:14). The repetition of the name here denotes emphasis or intensity of feeling - the deep desire w... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE AGE - The word which is used here (דור _dôr_) means properly the revolving period or circle of human life. The parallelism seems to demand, however, that it should be used in the sense of dwelling or habitation, so as to correspond with the ‘shepherd’s tent.’ Accordingly, Lowth and Noyes rende... [ Continue Reading ]
I RECKONED - There has been considerable variety in interpreting this expression. The Septuagint renders it, ‘I was given up in the morning as to a lion.’ The Vulgate renders it, ‘I hoped until morning;’ and in his commentary, Jerome says it means, that as Job in his trouble and anguish Isaiah 7:4 s... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE A CRANE - The word used here (סוּס _sûs_) usually denotes a horse. The rabbis render it here ‘a crane.’ Gesenius translates it ‘a swallow;’ and in his Lexicon interprets the word which is translated ‘a swallow’ (עגוּר _'āgûr_) to mean “circling,” making gyrations; and the whole phrase, ‘as t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL I SAY? - This language seems to denote surprise and gratitude at unexpected deliverance. It is the language of a heart that is overflowing, and that wants words to express its deep emotions. In the previous verse he had described his pain, anguish, and despair. In this he records the sudd... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD, BY THESE THINGS MEN LIVE - The design of this and the following verses is evidently to set forth the goodness of God, and to celebrate his praise for what he had done. The phrase ‘these things,’ refers evidently to the promises of God and their fulfillment; and the idea is, that people are s... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, FOR PEACE - That is, instead of the health, happiness, and prosperity which I had enjoyed, and which I hope still to enjoy. I HAD GREAT BITTERNESS - Hebrew, ‘Bitterness to me, bitterness;’ an emphatic expression, denoting intense sorrow. BUT THOU HAST IN LOVE TO MY SOUL - Margin, ‘Loved my... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE GRAVE CANNOT PRAISE THEE - The Hebrew word here is sheol. It is put by metonymy here for those who are in the grave, that is, for the dead. The word ‘praise’ here refers evidently to the public and solemn celebration of the goodness of God. It is clear, I think, that Hezekiah had a belief in... [ Continue Reading ]
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. THE FATHER TO THE CHILDREN - One generation of the living to another. The father shall have so deep a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD WAS READY TO SAVE ME - He was prompt, quick to save me. He did not hesitate or delay. THEREFORE WE WILL SING MY SONGS - That is, my family and nation. The song of Hezekiah was designed evidently not as a mere record, but to be used in celebrating the praises of God, and probably in a publi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ISAIAH HAD SAID - In the parallel place in Kings the statement in these two verses is introduced before the account of the miracle on the sun-dial, and before the account of his recovery 2 Kings 20:7. The order in which it is introduced, however, is not material. LET THEM TAKE A LUMP OF FIGS -... [ Continue Reading ]
HEZEKIAH ALSO HAD SAID - What evidence or proof have I that I shall be restored, and permitted to go to the temple? The miracle on the sun-dial was performed in answer to this request, and as a demonstration that he should yet be permitted to visit the temple of God (see the note at Isaiah 38:7).... [ Continue Reading ]