Bible Strands
2 Kings 20:7
Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs.” So they brought it and applied it to the boil, and Hezekiah recovered.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Isaiah speaks to Hezekiah’s attendants immediately after the Lord promises fifteen additional years and deliverance from Assyria, occurring just before Hezekiah requests a sign of his healing.
The words — The Hebrew term דְּבֶ֣לֶת (de.Ve.let) literally means “a cake” or “a lump,” paired with תְּאֵנִ֑ים (te.'e.Nim) for “figs,” describing the specific medicinal preparation commanded for the boil.
The thread — This healing method parallels Isaiah’s identical instruction in Isaiah 38:21, while the use of household substances for physical restoration echoes the salt treatment in 2 Kings 2:20 and the flour added to the stew in 2 Kings 4:41.
Why it lands — The text records a tangible, prescribed remedy applied by others to effect a physical recovery, requiring readers to acknowledge that divine promises are often mediated through ordinary, actionable means rather than abstract declarations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 38:21 Now Isaiah had said, “Prepare a lump of pressed figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.”
- 2 Kings 2:20 “Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.” So they brought it to him,
- 2 Kings 4:41 Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.