For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.

ISAIAH 38:21KJV
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Isaiah 38:21 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 38:21 mean?

Isaiah 38:21 describes the prophet Isaiah instructing that a lump of figs should be applied as a poultice to King Hezekiah’s boil so that he would recover from his illness. The verse shows a practical remedy being given alongside God’s promise of healing.

In this scene, Isaiah is speaking to those caring for King Hezekiah, who was seriously ill. The instruction to use figs as a plaster connects the healing process to a physical treatment, even though the recovery is ultimately attributed to God’s intervention. This verse highlights the use of ordinary means in the midst of a miraculous event.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 38:21

  • "lump" (דְּבֶלֶת, develet): This word refers to a pressed cake or mass, here specifically of figs. It points to a common ancient remedy, showing the use of everyday resources in healing.
  • "figs" (תְּאֵנָה, te'enah): Figs were known in the ancient world for their medicinal properties, especially for treating skin conditions. The mention of figs grounds the story in real historical practices.
  • "plaister" (מִרְחֶשֶׁת, mircheshet): This word means a poultice or plaster, something spread on a wound or sore. It emphasizes the physical, hands-on aspect of the treatment.
  • "boil" (שְׁחִין, shechin): This term refers to an inflamed sore or ulcer, often seen as a serious illness in the ancient world. Naming the condition makes the healing more concrete and relatable.

Why Isaiah 38:21 matters

  • Isaiah 38:21 clarifies that God’s healing can work through ordinary, physical means, not just through supernatural acts.
  • The verse connects the story to real-world medical practices of the time, grounding the narrative in history rather than legend.
  • It helps explain the sequence of events in Isaiah 38, showing that Hezekiah’s recovery involved both divine promise and practical action.

Where else these words appear

“lump” Hebrew H1690 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Samuel 25:18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
  • 1 Samuel 30:12 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
  • 2 Kings 20:7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

“boil” Hebrew H7822 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 9:9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
  • Leviticus 13:18 The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,
  • Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

“figs” Hebrew H8384 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Proverbs 27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
  • Jeremiah 29:17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

“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.
  • 2 Kings 20:19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?
  • Isaiah 7:3 Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;