Isaiah 38:21

38:20 The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.

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

KJV

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Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs, and lay it for a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover.”

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

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

38:22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?

What does Isaiah 38:21 mean?

Isaiah 38:21 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include יְשַׁעְיָה (Yᵉshaʻyâh), אָמַר (ʼâmar), נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ). It connects to 11 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

For

IsaiahיְשַׁעְיָהYᵉshaʻyâh/yesh-ah-yaw'/H3470Jeshajah, the name of seven Israelites

had

said,אָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)

Let

them

takeנָשָׂאnâsâʼ/naw-saw'/H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

lumpדְּבֵלָהdᵉbêlâh/deb-ay-law'/H1690a cake of pressed figs

figs,תְּאֵןtᵉʼên/teh-ane'/H8384the fig (tree or fruit)

and

lay

for

plaisterמָרַחmârach/maw-rakh'/H4799properly, to soften by rubbing or pressure; hence (medicinally) to apply as an emollient

upon

the

boil,שְׁחִיןshᵉchîyn/shekh-een'/H7822inflammation, i.e. an ulcer

and

shall

recover.חָיָהchâyâh/khaw-yaw'/H2421to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

Commentary on Isaiah 38:21

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 38:21

ic">doeth not so. This is to the same purport with v. 2 , and shows what a blessing a wise man is and what a burden a fool is to those about him. Only here observe further, 1. That we then use knowledge aright when we disperse it, not confine it to a few of our intimates, and grudge it to others who would make as good use of it, but give a portion of this spiritual alms to seven and also to eight, not only be communicative, but diffusive, of this good, with humility and prudence. We must take pains to spread and propagate useful knowledge, must teach some that they may teach others, and so it is dispersed. 2. That it is not only a fault to pour out foolishness, but it is a shame not to disperse knowledge, at least not to drop some wise word or other: The heart of the foolish does not so; it has nothing to disperse that is good, or, if it had, has neither skill nor will to do good with it and therefore is little worth. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Psalms 1:6

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Isaiah 21:4

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. heart: or, mind wandered turned: Heb. put

Isaiah 21:8

And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: he: or, cried as a lion whole: or, every night

Isaiah 26:7

The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.

Isaiah 51:1

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

Jeremiah 44:4

Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

Hosea 6:3

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Habakkuk 1:13

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? iniquity: or, grievance

Matthew 7:13

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: strait: or, narrow

1 Timothy 6:11

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

2 Timothy 2:22

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 38:21.

2 Kings 20:7

And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

Genesis 4:13

And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. My: or, Mine iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 38:21 say?

Isaiah 38:21 (King James Version) reads: "For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover."

Is Isaiah 38:21 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 38:21 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 38:21, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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