And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.
2 KINGS 19:29KJVWhat does 2 Kings 19:29 mean?
2 Kings 19:29 promises a sign to reassure the people: for two years, they will survive by eating what grows on its own, but in the third year, they will be able to plant and harvest crops and vineyards again. This verse is meant to show that normal life and stability will return after a time of hardship.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking to King Hezekiah of Judah during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. The city is under threat, and the people are worried about survival. Isaiah’s message uses everyday farming to show God’s care: first, they will rely on naturally growing food, but soon they will be able to farm as usual, signaling that the crisis will end.
The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 19:29
- "sign" (אוֹת, 'ot, H226): This word means a mark or proof. Here, it refers to a concrete event that will confirm Isaiah’s message is true.
- "grow" (סָפִיחַ, safiach, H5599): This word describes plants that sprout up on their own, without being intentionally sown. It highlights that in the first year, the people will eat only what comes up naturally, not from planned farming.
- "springeth" (שָׁחִיס, shachis, H7823): This word is similar to "grow," but points to a second cycle of naturally growing crops, reinforcing the idea of survival without normal agriculture for two years.
- "sow" (זָרַע, zara, H2232), "reap" (קָצַר, qatsar, H7114), "plant" (נָטַע, nata, H5193): These words describe the return to regular farming in the third year, marking a shift from survival to restoration.
Why 2 Kings 19:29 matters
- 2 Kings 19:29 clears up that the hardship facing Jerusalem was not permanent; God gave a specific timeline for recovery, which would have reassured the people.
- The verse emphasizes that God’s sign is practical and observable, not just a vague promise—people could literally watch for these changes in their fields.
- This verse connects to the larger story of God protecting Jerusalem from the Assyrians, showing that God’s deliverance includes both immediate survival and long-term restoration.