Old Testament
Isaiah 38:5
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Go tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the LORD, the God of David your father, says: I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life.'
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Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
What Isaiah 38:5 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God speaks to King Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah had been seriously ill and prayed earnestly for healing. God reassures him that He has heard his prayers and seen his tears, indicating that He is compassionate and responsive to human suffering. The promise of adding fifteen years to Hezekiah's life signifies God's mercy and willingness to extend life when one seeks Him sincerely. This moment highlights the importance of prayer and the relationship between God and His people, showing that God is attentive to their needs and emotions. It also reflects the theme of divine intervention in human affairs, where God can change circumstances based on faith and supplication. Hezekiah's story serves as a reminder that God is not distant but actively involved in the lives of those who call upon Him.
How to apply Isaiah 38:5 to your life
This verse encourages us to bring our concerns and fears to God in prayer, knowing that He listens and cares. It reminds us that God can intervene in our lives in unexpected ways, offering hope and healing when we seek Him earnestly.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
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Illustrated scene from Isaiah's story: Hezekiah's Illness (Isaiah 38:1–22)
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Isaiah
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
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Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
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Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 38:5 mean for believers today?
Isaiah 38:5 illustrates God's responsiveness to prayer and His compassion for human suffering. For believers today, it serves as a reminder that God hears our cries and can intervene in our lives. It encourages us to approach God with our concerns, knowing He cares deeply for us and is capable of bringing healing and hope.
How does this verse demonstrate God's mercy?
In Isaiah 38:5, God's promise to extend Hezekiah's life by fifteen years showcases His mercy. Despite Hezekiah's illness, God responds to his heartfelt prayers and tears, indicating that He is willing to grant life and healing when approached sincerely. This reflects God's nature as compassionate and merciful, willing to alleviate suffering.
What can we learn about prayer from Isaiah 38:5?
Isaiah 38:5 teaches us the importance of earnest prayer. Hezekiah's sincere plea for healing was met with God's attentive response. This verse encourages believers to bring their needs before God, reinforcing that prayer is a powerful means of communication with Him, and that He is responsive to our heartfelt requests.
Why did God add fifteen years to Hezekiah's life?
God added fifteen years to Hezekiah's life as a direct response to the king's earnest prayers and tears. This act demonstrates God's willingness to intervene in human affairs and highlights the significance of faith and supplication. It shows that God can alter circumstances based on our relationship with Him and our sincere requests.
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