Bible Strands
Isaiah 38:16
O Lord, by such things men live, and in all of them my spirit finds life. You have restored me to health and have let me live.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Hezekiah addresses the Lord during his convalescence, reflecting on the transition from deep anguish to physical restoration.
The words — The Hebrew רוּחִי (ru.Ch/i) means "my spirit" and חַיֵּי (chai.Yei) means "the life of," together showing the text's claim that divine action sustains both spiritual and bodily existence.
The thread — The same dependence on God for vitality appears in Psalms 119:25, where the psalmist asks to be revived by God's word, and in Matthew 4:4, where Jesus states that human life depends on every word from God's mouth.
Why it lands — The text declares that health and continued existence come from God's intervention, requiring the reader to attribute physical and spiritual preservation to divine action rather than self-sufficiency.
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
O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
Cross-references
- Psalms 119:25 My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word.
- Matthew 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
- 1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
- Hebrews 12:10 Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.
- Deuteronomy 8:3 He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
- Job 33:19 A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,
- Isaiah 64:5 You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins?
- Psalms 71:20 Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.