Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?

ISAIAH 38:22KJV
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Isaiah 38:22 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 38:22 mean?

Isaiah 38:22 records King Hezekiah asking Isaiah for a sign that he will recover enough to return to the house of the LORD. His question shows that he wants a visible assurance of the promised recovery while he is still facing a serious illness.

The “house of the LORD” is the temple in Jerusalem, the place where people came to worship Israel’s God. Hezekiah’s picture of going up to the temple makes his expected recovery concrete: he hopes to leave his sickbed and go there again.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 38:22

  • “sign” — אוֹת (ʾot): This word can mean a mark or a visible indication. Here, Hezekiah asks for something that will assure him that the promised return will happen.
  • “LORD” — יְהוָה (YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, commonly written as “LORD” in the KJV. The temple Hezekiah hopes to visit is the house associated with that name.

Why Isaiah 38:22 matters

  • The question looks back to the promise of healing, even though it appears at the end of the chapter. In Isaiah 38:5–8, God promises Hezekiah recovery and gives a sign involving the movement of a shadow.
  • Hezekiah’s expected visit is tied to worship, not merely to being well enough to travel. Earlier, in Isaiah 38:20, he speaks of making music at the house of the LORD after his recovery.
  • Isaiah 38:21–22 gives details that belong to the earlier account of the illness and recovery. The wording “had said” in verse 22 helps the KJV reader see that Hezekiah’s question refers back to that time.

Where else these words appear

“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.
  • Job 21:29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

“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 36:15 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.