Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” New Living Translation About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the LORD says: ‘Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.’” English Standard Version In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” Berean Standard Bible In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” Berean Literal Bible In those days Hezekiah was sick unto death. And came to him Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet, and he said to him, “Thus says YHWH: ‘Set in order your house, for you are going to die, and you will not live!’” King James Bible In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. New King James Version In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ ” New American Standard Bible In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him and said to him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Set your house in order, for you are going to die and not live.’” NASB 1995 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” NASB 1977 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” Legacy Standard Bible In those days Hezekiah became ill to the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” Amplified Bible In those days Hezekiah [king of Judah] became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him and said, “For the LORD says this, ‘Set your house in order and prepare a will, for you shall die; you will not live.’” Berean Annotated Bible In those days Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah (YHWH has saved) son of Amoz (strong) came to him and said, “This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover. Christian Standard Bible In those days Hezekiah became terminally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Set your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible In those days Hezekiah became terminally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your affairs in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” American Standard Version In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Contemporary English Version About this time, Hezekiah got sick and was almost dead. So I went in and told him, "The LORD says you won't ever get well. You are going to die, and so you had better start doing what needs to be done." English Revised Version In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. GOD'S WORD® Translation In those days Hezekiah became sick and was about to die. The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, came to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Give final instructions to your household, because you're about to die. You won't get well." Good News Translation About this time King Hezekiah became sick and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and said to him, "The LORD tells you that you are to put everything in order because you will not recover. Get ready to die." International Standard Version During that time, Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. Then Amoz's son Isaiah the prophet came to him and told him, "This is what the LORD says: 'Put your house in order, because you are going to die. You won't recover.'" NET Bible In those days Hezekiah was stricken with a terminal illness. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz visited him and told him, "This is what the LORD says, 'Give instructions to your household, for you are about to die; you will not get well.'" New Heart English Bible In those days was Hezekiah sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.'" Webster's Bible Translation In those days was Hezekiah sick with a mortal disease. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thy house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIn those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” World English Bible In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn those days has Hezekiah been sick to death, and Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, comes to him and says to him, “Thus said YHWH: Give a charge to your house, for you [are] dying, and do not live.” Berean Literal Bible In those days Hezekiah was sick unto death. And came to him Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet, and he said to him, “Thus says YHWH: ‘Set in order your house, for you are going to die, and you will not live!’” Young's Literal Translation In those days hath Hezekiah been sick unto death, and come in unto him doth Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, and saith unto him, 'Thus said Jehovah: Give a charge to thy house, for thou art dying, and dost not live.' Smith's Literal Translation In those days Hezekiah was sick to death. And Isaiah son of Amos, the prophet, will come in to him, and say to him, Thus said Jehovah, Command to thy house, for thou diest, and shalt not live. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIN those days Ezechias was sick even to death, and Isaias the son of Amos the prophet came unto him, and said to him: Thus saith the Lord: Take order with thy house, for thou shalt die, and not live. Catholic Public Domain Version In those days Hezekiah became ill and was near death. And so, Isaiah, the son of Amoz, the prophet, entered to him, and he said to him: “Thus says the Lord: Put your house in order, for you shall die, and you shall not live.” New American Bible In those days, when Hezekiah was mortally ill, the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, came and said to him: “Thus says the LORD: Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you shall not recover.” New Revised Standard Version In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIN those days Hezekiah became deathly sick, and Isaiah, the prophet, the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order; for you shall die, and not live. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated In those days Hezekiah was ill to die, and Eshaiya the Prophet son of Amuts came to him and said to him: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH, ‘Order concerning your house, because you are dying and you will not live’” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him: 'Thus saith the LORD: Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass at that time, that Ezekias was sick even to death. And Esaias the prophet the son of Amos came to him, and said to him, Thus saith the Lord, Give orders concerning thy house: for thou shalt die, and not live. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery1In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” 2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,… Cross References In those days 2 Kings 18:13 In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. Isaiah 36:1 In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. Hezekiah became mortally ill. 2 Kings 20:1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” 2 Chronicles 32:24 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a sign. Psalm 107:18 They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him 2 Kings 20:4 Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 2 Kings 19:2 And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz and said, “This is what the LORD says: 2 Kings 20:5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD. 2 Samuel 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. Jeremiah 26:2 “This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the house of the LORD and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship there. Do not omit a word. ‘Put your house in order, 1 Kings 2:1-2 As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, / “I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man. Deuteronomy 31:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tent of Meeting, so that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting. Joshua 23:14 Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed. for you are about to die; Genesis 27:2 “Look,” said Isaac, “I am now old, and I do not know the day of my death. Job 14:5 Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed, Ecclesiastes 3:2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, Treasury of Scripture In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus said the LORD, Set your house in order: for you shall die, and not live. A. 2 Kings 20:1-11 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live… 2 Chronicles 32:24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. John 11:1-5 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha… and Isaiah Isaiah 37:21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria: Isaiah 39:3,4 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon… set thine house in order. 2 Samuel 17:23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. for thou Jeremiah 18:7-10 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; … Jonah 3:4,10 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown… Jump to Previous Amoz Death Die Hezekiah House Ill Isaiah Live Mortal Mortally Order Prophet SickJump to Next Amoz Death Die Hezekiah House Ill Isaiah Live Mortal Mortally Order Prophet SickIsaiah 38 1. Hezekiah, having received a message of death, by prayer has his life lengthened8. The sun goes ten degrees backward, for a sign of that promise 9. His song of thanksgiving. In those days This phrase situates the events within a specific historical context, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. It refers to a period when the Assyrian Empire was a dominant threat, and Judah was under significant pressure. The phrase connects to the broader narrative of Hezekiah's reign, which is detailed in 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29-32. Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and reforms to restore proper worship in the kingdom. He is the central figure in this passage, facing a life-threatening illness. 2. Isaiah A major prophet in the Old Testament, son of Amoz, who served as God's messenger to Judah and its kings, including Hezekiah. He delivers God's message to Hezekiah in this passage. 3. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, where Hezekiah reigned as king. It is the setting for the events of this passage. 4. Illness Hezekiah's critical condition serves as the catalyst for the events in this chapter, prompting divine intervention and a prophetic message. 5. Prophetic Message The message from God delivered by Isaiah, instructing Hezekiah to prepare for his impending death, which sets the stage for Hezekiah's response and subsequent events. Teaching Points The Certainty of MortalityLife is fragile, and we must be prepared for the reality of death. Hezekiah's situation reminds us to live with an eternal perspective. The Role of Prophetic Messages God uses His prophets to communicate important truths. We should be attentive to God's word and its implications for our lives. The Power of Prayer Hezekiah's response to his illness was to pray fervently. This teaches us the importance of turning to God in times of crisis. The Importance of Spiritual Readiness "Put your house in order" is a call to ensure our lives are aligned with God's will. We should regularly evaluate our spiritual condition. God's Sovereignty and Mercy While God is sovereign over life and death, He is also merciful and responsive to sincere prayer and repentance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 38:1?2. How does Isaiah 38:1 demonstrate God's sovereignty over life and death? 3. What can we learn about prayer from Hezekiah's response in Isaiah 38:1? 4. How does Isaiah 38:1 connect with James 5:15 on prayer and healing? 5. How should Isaiah 38:1 influence our trust in God's timing and plans? 6. What practical steps can we take to prepare for life's uncertainties? 7. Why did God allow Hezekiah to face death in Isaiah 38:1? 8. How does Isaiah 38:1 challenge our understanding of divine intervention? 9. What does Isaiah 38:1 reveal about God's sovereignty over life and death? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 38? 11. How can Isaiah 38’s account of God extending Hezekiah’s life align with other biblical teachings on divine decrees? 12. Is divine healing promised to everyone by God? 13. How can Deut. 34:10 claim no prophet like Moses ever arose when other prophets performed significant miracles too? 14. Can faith alter divine plans? What Does Isaiah 38:1 Mean In those days• The phrase anchors the narrative in real history, tying Isaiah 38 to the broader accounts of 2 Kings 20:1 and 2 Chronicles 32:24. • “Those days” follow Hezekiah’s dramatic deliverance from the Assyrians (Isaiah 37). God’s power over armies now shifts to His power over one man’s life, underscoring that the Lord rules nations and individuals alike (Psalm 33:10-15). • By linking these events, Scripture reminds us that victories do not grant immunity from new trials; faith must be renewed daily (1 Corinthians 10:12). Hezekiah became mortally ill • The text states plainly that the king’s sickness was lethal. Unlike minor ailments, this was humanly incurable (see 2 Kings 20:1). • The gravity contrasts with Hezekiah’s previous vigor at thirty-nine years old (2 Kings 18:2), highlighting the frailty of even the godliest leaders (Psalm 39:4-5). • God often uses physical weakness to deepen dependence on Him (2 Corinthians 12:9). The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him • Isaiah is both court historian and divine spokesman. His arrival signals that God is personally involved in Hezekiah’s crisis (Amos 3:7). • The meeting occurs in private chambers, showing that God reaches rulers where physicians cannot (Psalm 118:8-9). • Isaiah’s faithfulness to deliver hard truth models pastoral courage (Acts 20:27). This is what the LORD says • The message carries ultimate authority; Isaiah is merely the mouthpiece (Jeremiah 1:9). • Because “the LORD” (YHWH) speaks, the announcement is certain; no human opinion can override it (Numbers 23:19). • God’s willingness to speak proves His covenant faithfulness even when the content is severe (Deuteronomy 7:9). Put your house in order • The directive includes both practical and spiritual preparation—settling affairs, appointing successors, reconciling relationships (2 Samuel 17:23). • Scripture urges similar readiness for all believers: “For man is like a breath” (Psalm 144:4); “You do not know what tomorrow will bring” (Proverbs 27:1; James 4:13-14). • Hezekiah is reminded that stewardship extends to life’s final moments (1 Timothy 5:8). You are about to die; you will not recover • The decree is blunt: “for you are about to die; you will not recover”. Death is an appointment set by God (Hebrews 9:27). • Yet divine pronouncements can invite intercession; Hezekiah’s later prayer shows that God may sovereignly ordain both the warning and the mercy (Isaiah 38:2-5). • The statement underscores God’s prerogative over life span (Job 14:5) and calls every reader to number their days (Psalm 90:12). summary Isaiah 38:1 records God’s sobering message to a righteous king: mortal illness, certain death, and a command to put his house in order. The verse affirms God’s sovereign right to summon anyone at any time, the need for continual readiness, and the importance of heeding prophetic truth. Far from despair, the passage sets the stage for fervent prayer and divine mercy, reminding us that the Lord who announces our end also holds the power of life in His hand. XXXVIII.(1) In those days.--On any supposition, the narrative of Hezekiah's illness throws us back to a time fifteen years before his death, and therefore to an earlier date than the destruction of the Assyrian army, which it here follows. So in Isaiah 38:6, the deliverance of the city is spoken of as still future. Assuming the rectified chronology given above, we are carried to a time ten or eleven years before the invasion, which was probably in part caused by the ambitious schemes indicated in Isaiah 39. It follows from either view that we have no ground for assuming, as some commentators have done, (1) that the illness was an attack of the plague that destroyed the Assyrian army, or (2) that the treasures which Hezekiah showed to the Babylonian ambassadors were in part the spoil of that army. Set thine house in order.--Literally, Give orders to thy house, euphemistic for "make thy will." The words are a striking illustration, like Jonah's announcement that Nineveh should be destroyed in three days (Jonah 3:4), of the conditional character of prophecy. It would seem as if Isaiah had been consulted half as prophet and half as physician as to the nature of the disease. It seemed to him fatal; it was necessary to prepare for death. The words may possibly imply a certain sense of disappointment at the result of Hezekiah's reign. In the midst of the king's magnificence and prosperity there was that in the inner house of the soul, as well as in that of the outer life, which required ordering. Verse 1. - In those days. The illness of Hezekiah is fixed by ver. 5 (and 2 Kings 20:6) to the fourteenth year of his reign, or B.C. 714. The entire narrative of this chapter and the next is therefore thirteen or fourteen years earlier than that of ch. 36, 37, which belongs to Hezekiah's closing years, B.C. 701-698 (see the comment on Isaiah 26:l, 2). Sick unto death; i.e. attacked by a malady which, if it had run its natural course, would have been fatal. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. This double designation of Isaiah, by his office and by his descent, marks the original independence of this narrative, which was not intended for a continuation of ch. 37. Thou shalt die, and not live. Prophecies were often threats, and, when such, were conditional, announcing results which would follow unless averted by prayer or repentance (compare Jonah's prophecy, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown," Jonah 3:4).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew In thoseהָהֵ֔ם (hā·hêm) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They days בַּיָּמִ֣ים (bay·yā·mîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day Hezekiah חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ (ḥiz·qî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2396: Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelites became mortally לָמ֑וּת (lā·mūṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 4191: To die, to kill ill. חָלָ֥ה (ḥā·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2470: To be weak or sick The prophet הַנָּבִ֗יא (han·nā·ḇî) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet Isaiah יְשַׁעְיָ֨הוּ (yə·ša‘·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3470: Isaiah -- 'salvation of Yah', four Israelites son בֶן־ (ḇen-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Amoz אָמ֜וֹץ (’ā·mō·wṣ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 531: Amoz -- 'strong', the father of Isaiah came וַיָּב֣וֹא (way·yā·ḇō·w) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to him אֵ֠לָיו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to and said, וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “This is what כֹּֽה־ (kōh-) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says: אָמַ֤ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘Put your house לְבֵיתֶ֔ךָ (lə·ḇê·ṯe·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house in order, צַ֣ו (ṣaw) Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order for כִּ֛י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you אַתָּ֖ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are about to die; מֵ֥ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill you will not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no recover.’” תִֽחְיֶֽה׃ (ṯiḥ·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2421: To live, to revive Links Isaiah 38:1 NIVIsaiah 38:1 NLT Isaiah 38:1 ESV Isaiah 38:1 NASB Isaiah 38:1 KJV Isaiah 38:1 BibleApps.com Isaiah 38:1 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 38:1 Chinese Bible Isaiah 38:1 French Bible Isaiah 38:1 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick (Isa Isi Is) |
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