Hezekiah’s Illness, Recovery, and the Sign
2 Kings 20:1-11
2 K.20.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- למות: VERB,qal,inf
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמוץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לביתך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs+PRON,2,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- תחיה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Isa.38:1 (quotation): Almost verbatim parallel: Isaiah the prophet delivers the divine message to Hezekiah that he must set his house in order because he will die.
- 2 Chr.32:24-26 (structural): Chronicles retells Hezekiah's illness and recovery with language and sequence parallel to Kings/Isaiah, adding details about his subsequent pride.
- 2 Kgs.20:6 (thematic): Immediate narrative counterpart: after the death sentence (v.1) God miraculously responds through Isaiah by healing Hezekiah and granting him fifteen more years of life.
- 1 Kgs.21:19 (thematic): Elijah pronounces a king's coming death as divine judgment (Ahab). Parallel in function: a prophet announces a sovereign's death as the word of the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. Isaiah the son of Amoz the prophet came to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die and shall not live."
- In those days Hezekiah became sick unto death. And Isaiah the son of Amoz the prophet came to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die and shall not live."
2 K.20.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הקיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויתפלל: VERB,hitpael,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Isaiah 38:2 (quotation): The same event is recounted in Isaiah with nearly identical wording: Hezekiah turns his face to the wall and prays to the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 32:24 (allusion): Chronicles gives a parallel summary of Hezekiah’s illness and prayer, noting he prayed when near death and the LORD answered him.
- Daniel 9:3 (verbal): Uses similar language of 'turning' to the LORD to seek him by prayer and supplication—verbal and thematic resonance with turning one’s face in prayer.
- Jonah 2:1-2 (thematic): Jonah’s prayer from the fish is a crisis prayer calling out to the LORD for deliverance—thematic parallel of desperate prayer in life-threatening circumstances.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying,
- Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying,
2 K.20.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אנה: ADV,interrog
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- זכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נא: PART
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- התהלכתי: VERB,hitpael,perf,1,_,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- באמת: ADV
- ובלבב: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- והטוב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ויבך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בכי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isa.38:2-3 (quotation): Parallel account of Hezekiah’s illness and prayer; verse 3 contains language nearly identical to 2 Kgs 20:3 ('I have walked before the LORD in truth and with a whole heart').
- 2 Chr.32:24-26 (structural): Chronicles’ retelling of the same episode—Hezekiah’s sickness, his prayer and bitter weeping—providing a parallel narrative context to 2 Kgs 20:3.
- 1 Kgs.9:4-5 (verbal): God’s promise to Solomon uses the phrase 'if thou shalt walk before me... with a perfect heart'—a close verbal and theological parallel to Hezekiah’s claim of wholehearted walk before God.
- Ps.26:1-3 (verbal): David’s petition 'Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity' echoes the formulaic language of walking before God in truth and integrity found in 2 Kgs 20:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Remember, O LORD, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah burst into a great weeping.
- "Remember now, O LORD, I have walked before you in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
2 K.20.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- לא: PART_NEG
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חצר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- התיכנה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ודבר: VERB,qal,fut,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Isa.38:4 (quotation): The same episode recounted in Isaiah’s book — the LORD’s message to Isaiah about Hezekiah’s life; language and content parallel the 2 Kings account.
- 2 Chron.32:24-26 (structural): Chronicles’ summary of Hezekiah’s illness, prayer, and recovery retells the same historical/theological tradition as 2 Kings 20.
- Jer.1:4 (verbal): Uses the same prophetic formula “the word of the LORD came to me,” showing the common literary pattern for prophetic revelation.
- 1 Kgs.17:2 (verbal): Another instance where “the word of the LORD came to” a prophet (Elijah), paralleling the formulaic way prophets receive divine messages in the Former and Latter Prophets.
Alternative generated candidates
- While Isaiah had not yet gone out into the inner court, the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
- Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
2 K.20.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שוב: ADV
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נגיד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- שמעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- תפלתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דמעתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- רפא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- השלישי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- תעלה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 38:5 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: God tells Hezekiah (through Isaiah) that He has heard his prayer, seen his tears, will heal him, and that he shall go up to the house of the LORD on the third day.
- 2 Chronicles 32:24–26 (structural): Parallel narrative retelling of Hezekiah’s illness, prayer, God’s response, and recovery—same episode recounted in the Deuteronomistic/chronistic history.
- Psalm 30:2 (thematic): Theme of recovery/healing in response to prayer: 'O LORD my God, I cried to you, and you have healed me,' a thanksgiving for deliverance from illness or death.
- Hosea 6:2 (thematic): Motif of restoration on the 'third day'—a short-period divine vindication or renewal that echoes the timing of Hezekiah’s promised recovery on the third day.
- Exodus 15:26 (thematic): Divine identity as healer: God declares himself 'the LORD who heals you,' providing a theological background for Yahweh’s promise to heal Hezekiah in response to prayer.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Turn back and tell Hezekiah the leader of my people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.'"
- "Return, and tell Hezekiah, ruler of my people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.'"
2 K.20.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והספתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,?,sg
- על: PREP
- ימיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- חמש: NUM,card,f,sg
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומכף: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אצילך: VERB,hiph,imprf,1,?,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- וגנותי: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- על: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- למעני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ולמען: CONJ+PREP
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
Parallels
- Isaiah 38:5 (quotation): Same incident and near-verbatim promise: God tells Hezekiah He will add fifteen years to his life—direct parallel account of the miraculous extension of days.
- 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 (structural): Chronicles' parallel narrative of Hezekiah's illness, prayer, and the divine sign; recounts the same episode from a different historical vantage point.
- Isaiah 37:35 (verbal): Closely related wording about God defending Jerusalem ‘for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake,’ echoing the rationale given in 2 Kgs 20:6 for the city's deliverance.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (thematic): The Davidic covenant promise that God will preserve David’s offspring and house; provides theological background for the phrase ‘for my servant David’s sake’ as the basis for divine protection.
Alternative generated candidates
- "I will add to your days fifteen years. From the hand of the king of Assyria I will deliver you and this city, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for the sake of David my servant."
- "I will add to your days fifteen years; I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David."
2 K.20.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- קחו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- דבלת: NOUN,f,sg,construct
- תאנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וישימו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- השחין: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויחי: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 38:21 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Isaiah directs that a lump/paste of figs be applied to Hezekiah’s boil and he recovers—the same detail repeated in the Isaiah account of the episode.
- Isaiah 38:1-8 (structural): The wider Isaianic pericope recounts Hezekiah’s illness, Isaiah’s message, the sign (sun dial), Hezekiah’s prayer, and God’s addition of years—this verse is part of that parallel narrative of the king’s healing.
- 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 (thematic): Chronicles narrates Hezekiah’s serious illness, his prayer to God, and the divine extension of his life (fifteen years). It parallels the core event though it omits the fig-poultice detail.
- 2 Kings 5:10-14 (thematic): Naaman’s healing by Elisha’s prescribed physical ritual (washing in the Jordan) parallels the motif of a prophet-directed, physical action producing healing—similar functional pattern to the fig-poultice applied at Isaiah’s instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Isaiah said, "Take a cake of figs." They took it and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
- Then Isaiah said, "Take a cake of figs." They took it and laid it on the boil, and he lived.
2 K.20.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מה: PRON,int
- אות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ירפא: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ועליתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,imperfect,1,sg
- ביום: PREP
- השלישי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 38:5-8 (quotation): Same episode retold by Isaiah: God promises fifteen years, gives a sign (the sun’s shadow going back), and Hezekiah is told he will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day.
- 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 (structural): Chronicles’ parallel account of Hezekiah’s illness, recovery, and extension of life—another retelling of the same event and its outcome.
- Isaiah 7:10-14 (thematic): Both passages revolve around the offering/request of a sign from God; here Hezekiah requests a sign of healing, while in Isaiah 7 God offers a sign to Ahaz (who refuses), forming a contrast in reception of divine signs.
- Judges 6:36-40 (thematic): Gideon’s request for a concrete sign (the fleece) parallels Hezekiah’s request for a confirming sign from God to verify a divine promise.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What is the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?"
- Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What is the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?"
2 K.20.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- האות: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מאת: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הצל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- מעלות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אם: CONJ
- ישוב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- מעלות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 38:8 (quotation): Same prophetic word in Isaiah's account of Hezekiah's illness: the sign of the shadow moving ten degrees (the verse is virtually identical in wording).
- 2 Kings 20:11 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel/continuation reporting the fulfillment of the sign: the sun's shadow returned ten degrees, completing the miracle promised in v.9.
- 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 (structural): Parallel retelling of Hezekiah's sickness and recovery in the Chronicler's history; provides the same episode within a different canonical tradition and theological emphasis.
- Joshua 10:12-14 (thematic): Thematic parallel of divine control over celestial bodies—Joshua's miracle of the sun standing still and Hezekiah's sign involving the sun's shadow both demonstrate God's power over time/heavenly signs.
Alternative generated candidates
- Isaiah said, "This is the sign to you from the LORD: the LORD will do the thing he has spoken. Shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or shall it return ten degrees?"
- Isaiah said, "This is the sign to you from the LORD: as the LORD has declared, if the shadow goes forward ten degrees, it will return ten degrees."
2 K.20.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יחזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נקל: VERB,qal,imprf,3,ms
- לצל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנטות: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- מעלות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- כי: CONJ
- ישוב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הצל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אחרנית: ADV
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- מעלות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 38:8 (verbal): Direct parallel account in Isaiah of the same episode: God promises that He will make the shadow go back ten steps as a sign to Hezekiah.
- 2 Kings 20:11 (structural): Immediate narrative fulfillment in the same chapter describing the shadow's actual reversal of ten degrees/steps.
- Joshua 10:12-14 (thematic): The miracle of divine control over the sun and moon (the sun standing still) is thematically analogous—both passages depict God altering celestial phenomena as a sign or intervention.
- 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 (verbal): Parallel retelling of Hezekiah's illness and recovery in Chronicles; covers the same historical episode and its theological implications in a different royal chronicle.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hezekiah answered, "It is easy for the shadow to go down ten degrees; rather let the shadow return ten degrees."
- Hezekiah answered, "It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten degrees; rather let the shadow return ten degrees."
2 K.20.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הצל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- במעלות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ירדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- במעלות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחרנית: ADV
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- מעלות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Isa.38.8 (quotation): Direct parallel/near-quotation: Isaiah 38:8 recounts the same event—Isaiah cries to the LORD and the shadow on the dial of Ahaz goes back ten steps; language and detail closely match 2 Kings 20:11.
- Isa.7.11 (allusion): Thematic contrast on 'signs': Ahaz refuses to ask for a sign (Isaiah 7:11), which contrasts with Hezekiah's request and receipt of a sign (the moving of the dial), linking both episodes through the motif of asking for a sign.
- Josh.10.12-14 (thematic): Thematic parallel of miraculous alteration of celestial phenomena: Joshua's prayer causes the sun and moon to stand still—both passages depict God intervening in the movement of heavenly bodies as a sign of divine action.
- Matt.12.38-40 (allusion): New Testament engagement with the motif of demanding signs: Jesus rejects requests for a sign (except the sign of Jonah), reflecting the broader biblical theme of human demand for signs exemplified by Hezekiah's asking for and receiving a sign.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Isaiah the prophet called to the LORD, and the LORD caused the shadow on the dial by which it had gone down to return ten degrees.
- So Isaiah called to the LORD, and the LORD made the shadow go back the ten degrees by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz.
In those days Hezekiah became ill unto death. And Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet came to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die and shall not live."
He turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying,
"Remember now, O LORD, I have walked before you in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is pleasing in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And Isaiah had not yet gone out into the middle court when the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
"Return and say to Hezekiah, ruler of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD."
"I will add to your days fifteen years. From the hand of the king of Assyria I will rescue you and this city, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for the sake of David my servant."
Then Isaiah said, "Take a lump of figs." They took it and laid it on the boil, and he lived.
Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What is the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?" And Isaiah said, "This is the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing he has spoken: Shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or shall it return ten degrees?"
Hezekiah answered, "It is easy for the shadow to go down ten degrees; no — let the shadow return ten degrees."
Then Isaiah the prophet called to the LORD, and the LORD made the shadow go back the ten degrees by which it had gone down on the dial (or steps) of Ahaz.