And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?

2 KINGS 20:8KJV
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2 Kings 20:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 20:8 mean?

2 Kings 20:8 shows King Hezekiah asking the prophet Isaiah for a sign from the LORD to confirm that he will be healed and able to go to the temple in three days. Hezekiah wants assurance that God's promise of healing is real and will happen soon.

Hezekiah is speaking directly to Isaiah after being told by the prophet that the LORD will heal him. The king is seriously ill and has just received a message of recovery, but he seeks a visible sign (or proof) from God to strengthen his faith. The verse highlights Hezekiah's desire for certainty and the importance of signs in confirming God's word in this historical context.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 20:8

  • "sign" (אוֹת, 'ot): This word means a mark, signal, or proof. Hezekiah is not just asking for a miracle, but for something clear and unmistakable that confirms God's promise to him.
  • "heal" (רָפָא, rapha): This verb means to restore to health or cure. The focus is on God actively bringing about Hezekiah's recovery, not just a natural improvement.
  • "third" (שְׁלִישִׁי, shelishi) and "day" (יוֹם, yom): Together, these words specify a concrete time frame—Hezekiah expects to be well enough to visit the temple in just three days, showing the immediacy and specificity of the promised healing.

Why 2 Kings 20:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that even faithful leaders like Hezekiah sometimes seek reassurance from God, showing a very human side to biblical figures.
  • The request for a "sign" sets up the following verses, where God provides a miraculous confirmation, connecting the story to other moments in the Bible where signs are given.
  • The detail about going up to the "house of the LORD" (the temple) emphasizes the importance of worship and public thanksgiving after deliverance, not just private healing.

Where else these words appear

“Isaiah” Hebrew H3470 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Kings 19:2 And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
  • 1 Chronicles 3:21 And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.
  • Isaiah 13:1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

“heal” Hebrew H7495 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • 2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
  • Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

“sign” Hebrew H226 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
  • Numbers 17:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.
  • Psalms 65:8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H2396 · used in 78 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
  • Isaiah 36:16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;