2 Kings 20:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And Isaiah {H3470} said {H559}, Take {H3947} a lump {H1690} of figs {H8384}. And they took {H3947} and laid {H7760} it on the boil {H7822}, and he recovered {H2421}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Yesha'yahu said, "Prepare a fig-plaster." They brought it and laid it on the inflammation, so that he would recover.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs.” So they brought it and applied it to the boil, and Hezekiah recovered.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 20:7 concisely records the application of a fig poultice to King Hezekiah's life-threatening boil, an act immediately preceding his miraculous recovery. This brief but potent verse serves as a testament to God's compassionate response to prayer, demonstrating His sovereign power to heal, often working through both supernatural intervention and the use of natural, humanly accessible means. It underscores the interplay between divine command and human obedience in the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the dramatic narrative concerning King Hezekiah's illness and miraculous recovery, spanning [2 Kings 20:1-11](/2_kings/20-1-11 "2 Kings 20:1-11 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery"). Immediately preceding, the prophet Isaiah had delivered a death sentence from the Lord to Hezekiah [2 Kings 20:1](/2_kings/20-1 "2 Kings 20:1 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Death"). Hezekiah's fervent prayer and weeping [2 Kings 20:2-3](/2_kings/20-2-3 "2 Kings 20:2-3 - Hezekiah's Earnest Prayer") prompted God to reverse His decree, promising an additional fifteen years of life and deliverance from Assyria [2 Kings 20:4-6](/2_kings/20-4-6 "2 Kings 20:4-6 - God's Promise of Extended Life and Deliverance"). Verse 7 then describes the practical, yet divinely instructed, step taken to facilitate the healing, followed by the sign of the sun dial's shadow moving back ten steps [2 Kings 20:8-11](/2_kings/20-8-11 "2 Kings 20:8-11 - The Sign of the Sundial"). This sequence highlights God's immediate and tangible response to His faithful servant's plea, demonstrating His active involvement in the lives of His covenant people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah reigned over Judah from approximately 715-686 BC, a tumultuous period marked by the encroaching power of the Assyrian Empire. His illness, likely occurring around 701 BC, is explicitly linked to the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, as indicated by the promise of deliverance in [2 Kings 20:6](/2_kings/20-6 "2 Kings 20:6 - Deliverance from Assyria"). Boils (Hebrew: _shechin_) were a common and often severe affliction in the ancient Near East, sometimes fatal, as seen in the plagues of Egypt [Exodus 9:9-11](/exodus/9-9-11 "Exodus 9:9-11 - The Plague of Boils") and Job's suffering [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Job's Affliction"). The use of a "lump of figs" as a poultice was a known ancient remedy for drawing out infection or soothing skin inflammations, suggesting a practical medical application that would have been culturally understood. This practice, though seemingly mundane, underscores the ancient world's reliance on natural remedies, even when divine intervention was sought or expected.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of Hezekiah's healing in [2 Kings 20](/2_kings/20 "2 Kings 20 - Hezekiah's Illness, Recovery, and Folly") profoundly explores several key themes. Foremost is **God's Sovereignty and Compassion**, as He demonstrates absolute power over life and death, responding mercifully to the sincere prayer of His servant. The episode also emphasizes the **Efficacy of Prayer**, showcasing how a king's humble, earnest plea can alter a divine decree, as seen in [2 Kings 20:4-5](/2_kings/20-4-5 "2 Kings 20:4-5 - God Hears Hezekiah's Prayer"). Furthermore, the use of the fig poultice introduces the theme of **Divine Means and Human Agency**, illustrating that God often chooses to work through natural means and human obedience, rather than exclusively through overt supernatural displays. This does not diminish His power but rather integrates human action into His divine plan, as seen in other biblical healings where a physical act or substance was involved, such as the mud applied to the blind man's eyes in [John 9:6](/john/9-6 "John 9:6 - Jesus Heals the Blind Man with Mud"). Finally, the narrative subtly highlights the **Interplay of Prophecy and Divine Action**, as Isaiah, God's messenger, is central to both the pronouncement of judgment and the instruction for healing, exemplifying God's communication through His chosen prophets.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lump (Hebrew, _dᵉbêlâh'_):** From an unused root meaning "to press together," this term refers specifically to a cake of pressed figs. In ancient times, figs were known for their emollient and drawing properties, often used topically for skin ailments. Here, it signifies the specific natural substance divinely prescribed for Hezekiah's healing, highlighting God's use of ordinary means.
* **Boil (Hebrew, _shᵉchîyn'_):** This word denotes a severe inflammation or ulcer, characteristic of a serious and potentially fatal skin affliction. Its biblical usage, notably in the plagues of Egypt [Exodus 9:9-11](/exodus/9-9-11 "Exodus 9:9-11 - The Plague of Boils") and Job's suffering [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Job's Affliction"), underscores its gravity and the life-threatening nature of Hezekiah's condition, which required divine intervention.
* **Recovered (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to live," this verb, in its causative form, signifies "to revive," "restore to life," or "quicken." In this context, it powerfully conveys Hezekiah's complete and miraculous restoration from a state of near-death to full health, emphasizing the life-giving power of God who alone can grant such a recovery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs."**: This opening clause establishes Isaiah's role as the prophet and God's messenger, delivering a specific, actionable instruction. Following God's promise of extended life to Hezekiah [2 Kings 20:5-6](/2_kings/20-5-6 "2 Kings 20:5-6 - God's Promise to Hezekiah"), this command demonstrates that divine healing can involve human participation and the application of natural remedies. It underscores the principle that God often works through means, not always directly or unmediated, requiring obedience to His revealed will.
* **"And they took and laid [it] on the boil,"**: This describes the immediate and obedient response to Isaiah's instruction. The plural "they" suggests Hezekiah's servants or attendants carried out the task, signifying compliance with the prophetic word. The physical act of applying the "lump of figs" directly to the "boil" illustrates the tangible step of faith taken. This action, while seemingly simple, becomes the divinely appointed conduit through which God's healing power would flow, demonstrating human agency in cooperation with divine sovereignty.
* **"and he recovered."**: This concise yet profound concluding statement declares the miraculous outcome. The verb "recovered" (Hebrew _châyâh_) signifies a complete restoration to life and health, emphasizing the swiftness and certainty of God's intervention. The healing is presented as a direct consequence of the application of the figs, yet it is profoundly understood as the result of God's power, not merely the inherent medicinal properties of the figs. It is the fulfillment of God's promise, validating His word spoken through Isaiah.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [2 Kings 20:7](/2_kings/20-7 "2 Kings 20:7 - The Application of Figs") employs several literary devices that enrich its theological message. The most prominent is **Divine-Human Collaboration**, where God's sovereign will and miraculous power are intricately intertwined with human obedience and the use of natural means. Isaiah's instruction and the servants' immediate action are presented not as independent efforts, but as the human side of God's orchestrated healing work. The "lump of figs" itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing God's profound ability to utilize the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary, transforming a common, earthly remedy into a channel for divine intervention. This also introduces a **Test of Faith and Obedience**, where the efficacy of the seemingly simple act is entirely dependent on the divine command and the trust placed in God's word behind it. Furthermore, the **Narrative Economy** of the verse, moving swiftly from prophetic instruction to human action and then to miraculous outcome, powerfully underscores the immediate and undeniable nature of God's power and faithfulness, leaving no doubt as to the source of Hezekiah's recovery.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The healing of Hezekiah in [2 Kings 20:7](/2_kings/20-7 "2 Kings 20:7 - The Application of Figs") powerfully illustrates God's compassionate nature and His responsiveness to the earnest prayers of His people. While God possesses the power to heal instantly and supernaturally, this account demonstrates His willingness to work through natural means, highlighting that His sovereignty is not limited to one mode of operation. The fig poultice was not the source of healing, but the divinely appointed channel through which God's power flowed, emphasizing that our trust must always be in the Healer, not the method. This narrative reinforces the principle that faith often involves obedient action, even when the means seem ordinary or inadequate for the promised outcome. It points to a God who engages with humanity, inviting participation in His redemptive work, and who validates His promises through tangible acts of deliverance.

* [Exodus 15:26](/exodus/15-26 "The Lord Who Heals You")
* [James 5:14-15](/james/5-14-15 "Prayer for the Sick")
* [John 9:6-7](/john/9-6-7 "Jesus Heals a Blind Man with Mud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Hezekiah's healing in [2 Kings 20:7](/2_kings/20-7 "2 Kings 20:7 - The Application of Figs") offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is intimately involved in the affairs of His people, hearing and responding to our prayers, even when our circumstances seem dire or hopeless. Hezekiah's earnest prayer was met with divine compassion, demonstrating that our access to God through prayer is real and effective. Furthermore, this passage teaches us about the diverse ways God works. He is not confined to a single method of healing or intervention; He can act instantaneously, or He can work through natural remedies, medical professionals, or other human instruments. Our faith is to be placed in God's power and wisdom, trusting that He will accomplish His purposes, whether through overt miraculous intervention or through the ordinary means He has provided. Our role is to pray fervently, believe in His sovereign power, and obey the guidance He provides, even if the steps seem small or insignificant in comparison to the magnitude of the need, recognizing that our obedience often becomes the channel for His divine work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Hezekiah's earnest prayer in [2 Kings 20:2-3](/2_kings/20-2-3 "2 Kings 20:2-3 - Hezekiah's Earnest Prayer") challenge or encourage your own prayer life when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to "take a lump of figs"—to use available, ordinary means—while trusting in His extraordinary power for a situation in your life?**
* **How does this account affirm your belief in God's sovereignty over sickness and health, and what implications does this have for how you approach illness or medical treatment?**

### FAQ
**Was it the figs that healed Hezekiah, or was it God?**

Answer: It was unequivocally God who healed Hezekiah. The "lump of figs" was a natural remedy, known in ancient times for its soothing and drawing properties, but it was not the inherent medicinal power of the figs that cured a life-threatening, divinely-decreed illness. The healing was a direct, miraculous act of God in response to Hezekiah's fervent prayer [2 Kings 20:5](/2_kings/20-5 "2 Kings 20:5 - God's Promise to Hezekiah"). The application of the figs was a divinely instructed step, a means God chose to use to demonstrate His power and to involve human obedience in the process. This account powerfully illustrates that God can work through both supernatural intervention and natural means, often integrating human action into His divine plan. The ultimate power resided with God alone, the sovereign Giver of life and health.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of King Hezekiah, a monarch facing certain death, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate Physician and Life-Giver, Jesus Christ. Hezekiah's recovery, granted through divine compassion and a simple, divinely-prescribed means, points to Christ's comprehensive healing ministry. Jesus, the [Son of God](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"), not only healed countless physical ailments with a word or a touch [Matthew 8:16](/matthew/8-16 "Matthew 8:16 - Jesus Heals Many"), but also demonstrated His supreme authority over death itself, raising Lazarus from the tomb [John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "John 11:43-44 - Jesus Raises Lazarus") and Jairus's daughter from her deathbed [Mark 5:41-42](/mark/5-41-42 "Mark 5:41-42 - Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter"). Just as God used the ordinary figs in Hezekiah's case, Christ sometimes employed physical means, like mud and spit, to heal the blind [John 9:6-7](/john/9-6-7 "Jesus Heals a Blind Man with Mud"), signifying that His power transcends and sanctifies the ordinary. Ultimately, Hezekiah's extended life was temporary, but Christ offers eternal life and complete healing from the spiritual "boil" of sin through His atoning sacrifice on the cross [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed"); [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - By His Wounds You Have Been Healed"). His glorious resurrection guarantees victory over death and sickness for all who believe, culminating in the complete restoration of body and soul in the new heavens and new earth, where [there will be no more death or pain](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 38:21

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

2 Kings 4:41

But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast [it] into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

2 Kings 2:20

And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought [it] to him.

2 Kings 2:22

So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.