Isaiah 38:11

I said, “I will never again see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living; I will no longer look on mankind with those who dwell in this world.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Hezekiah speaks during his terminal illness, reflecting on his imminent departure from life after receiving a death sentence. He addresses God, recording his despair before his life is extended.

The words — The Hebrew אֶרְאֶ֣ה ('er.'Eh) translates literally as "I will see," paired with בְּ/אֶ֣רֶץ הַ/חַיִּ֑ים (be./'E.retz ha./chai.Yim), meaning "in the land of the living." These terms frame the speaker's certainty of permanent separation from divine presence and human community.

The thread — The phrase "land of the living" reappears in Psalms 27:13, where the psalmist affirms certainty to see God's goodness there. Isaiah 38:11 also contrasts with Job 35:14, which records a person claiming not to see God while waiting for Him.

Why it lands — The text states a direct declaration of permanent exclusion from both God's presence and human society. It asks the reader to recognize the weight of mortality and the necessity of divine intervention for restoration.

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

אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙'a.Mar.tiI said לֹא־lo'-not אֶרְאֶ֣ה'er.'EhI will see יָ֔הּYahYahweh יָ֖הּyahYahweh בְּאֶ֣רֶץbe./'E.retzin/ [the] land of הַחַיִּ֑יםha./chai.Yimthe/ living לֹא־lo'-not אַבִּ֥יט'a.BitI will look at אָדָ֛ם'a.Damhumankind ע֖וֹדodagain עִם־'im-with י֥וֹשְׁבֵיYo.o.she.vei[the] inhabitants of חָֽדֶל׃Cha.delcessation

King James Version

I said, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.

Cross-references

Psalms 27:13 Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalms 116:8 For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
Job 35:14 How much less, then, when you say that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you must wait for Him,
Psalms 6:4 Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; save me because of Your loving devotion.
Psalms 31:22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.
Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.