2 Kings 20:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 20:7 mean?

2 Kings 20:7 describes how the prophet Isaiah instructed that a lump of figs be applied to King Hezekiah’s boil, and after this was done, Hezekiah recovered. The verse shows a specific action taken as part of Hezekiah’s healing, following Isaiah’s direction.

In this scene, Isaiah is speaking to those attending King Hezekiah, who is seriously ill. The instruction to use a "lump of figs" as a poultice for the boil is a practical remedy, and the verse notes that Hezekiah’s health improved after it was applied. This moment comes in the middle of a story where Hezekiah has prayed for healing, and Isaiah’s words and actions are part of God’s answer.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 20:7

• "lump" (דְּבֶלֶת, d'velet): This word refers to a cake or mass, often of pressed fruit. Here, it means a pressed cake of figs, which was a known remedy in the ancient world.
• "figs" (תְּאֵנִים, te'enim): This is the common word for figs, a fruit often used for food and sometimes for medicinal purposes in the ancient Near East.
• "boil" (שְׁחִין, shechin): This word describes a kind of inflamed sore or ulcer. It suggests Hezekiah’s illness involved a visible, severe skin infection.

Why 2 Kings 20:7 matters

• 2 Kings 20:7 shows that practical, physical remedies could be part of God’s healing, not just miraculous acts, which helps clear up the idea that faith and medicine are always separate in the Bible.
• The verse connects to the larger story of Hezekiah’s illness and recovery, showing Isaiah’s role as both a prophet and a practical advisor.
• The detail about figs highlights the everyday realities of life in ancient Israel and grounds the story in real-world practices familiar to its first readers.