Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,

2 KINGS 20:2KJV
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2 Kings 20:2 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 20:2 mean?

2 Kings 20:2 describes King Hezekiah turning his face toward the wall and praying to the LORD after hearing troubling news. This action shows Hezekiah’s immediate and personal response to a crisis, seeking God in private prayer.

Hezekiah, the king of Judah, has just been told by the prophet Isaiah that he will die from his illness. Instead of speaking to those around him, Hezekiah turns away—likely for privacy or to focus fully on God—and prays directly to the LORD. This moment sets the stage for the heartfelt prayer that follows and highlights Hezekiah’s dependence on God in a desperate situation.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 20:2

  • "turned" (סָבַב, savav): This word often means to turn around or change direction. Here, it shows a deliberate physical movement, emphasizing Hezekiah’s choice to face away from people and toward the wall.
  • "face" (פָּנִים, panim): In Hebrew, "face" can mean presence or personal attention. Turning his "face" to the wall suggests Hezekiah is shutting out distractions to focus entirely on his prayer.
  • "wall" (קִיר, qir): The mention of the wall may point to Hezekiah seeking privacy or a place where he can be alone with God, away from the eyes of others.
  • "prayed" (פָּלַל, palal): This word for prayer often carries the sense of pleading or interceding, not just casual conversation. Hezekiah’s prayer is earnest and urgent.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting the direct and covenant relationship between Hezekiah and God.
  • "saying" (אָמַר, amar): This simply introduces the words Hezekiah will speak in prayer, marking the transition from action to speech.

Why 2 Kings 20:2 matters

  • The verse highlights Hezekiah’s instinct to turn to God first in a moment of crisis, rather than relying on human help or despairing.
  • The detail about turning his face to the wall shows the personal and private nature of his prayer, emphasizing sincerity and focus.
  • This verse sets up the dramatic reversal in the story, where Hezekiah’s prayer leads to a new message from God and a change in his fate.

Where else these words appear

“wall” Hebrew H7023 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • Ezekiel 8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.

“prayed” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • 1 Kings 13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
  • Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

“turned” Hebrew H5437 · used in 147 verses

  • Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
  • 2 Samuel 18:30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
  • Psalms 48:12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.