Bible Strands
Isaiah 38:22
And Hezekiah had asked, “What will be the sign that I will go up to the house of the LORD?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Hezekiah addresses the prophet Isaiah immediately after Isaiah prescribes a fig poultice for his illness. The inquiry occurs during Hezekiah's convalescence as he seeks confirmation of his restoration.
The words — The Hebrew א֑וֹת ('ot) means "sign," and אֶעֱלֶ֖ה ('e.'e.Leh) translates literally to "I will go up." Hezekiah pairs these terms to request a tangible guarantee of his physical healing and subsequent temple pilgrimage.
The thread — This demand for a verifying sign mirrors the parallel account in 2 Kings 20:8 where Hezekiah asks Isaiah for proof of healing. The underlying pattern of severe discipline followed by deliverance aligns with the declaration in Psalms 118:18.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to recognize that divine promises demand observable confirmation rather than relying on human diagnosis. It places the burden of faith on waiting for God's explicit action before proceeding to worship.
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
Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 20:8 Now Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?”
- Psalms 118:18 The LORD disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.
- John 5:14 Afterward, Jesus found the man at the temple and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you.”
- Psalms 42:1 For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.
- Psalms 84:1 For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts!
- Psalms 84:10 For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
- Psalms 122:1 A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”