Isaiah 37:30

KJV

And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat [this] year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

And this shall be a sign {H226} unto thee, Ye shall eat {H398} this year {H8141} such as groweth {H5599} of itself; and the second {H8145} year {H8141} that which springeth {H7823} of the same: and in the third {H7992} year {H8141} sow {H2232} ye, and reap {H7114}, and plant {H5193} vineyards {H3754}, and eat {H398} the fruit {H6529} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'This will be the sign for you [people of Isra'el]: this year, you will eat the grain that grows of itself; the second year, you will eat what grows from that; but in the third year, you will sow, reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Berean Standard Bible

And this will be a sign to you, O Hezekiah: This year you will eat what grows on its own, and in the second year what springs from the same. But in the third year you will sow and reap; you will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

American Standard Version

And this shall be the sign unto thee: ye shall eat this year that which groweth of itself, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 37:30 presents a divine sign given to King Hezekiah, assuring him of God's miraculous provision and future restoration for Judah following the immediate threat of the Assyrian invasion. This sign, spanning three years, details an agricultural cycle: the first two years promise sustenance from self-grown crops, demonstrating God's supernatural care during a period of disruption, while the third year signifies a complete return to normalcy, allowing the people to sow, reap, and enjoy the full fruit of their labor, thereby confirming the certainty of God's deliverance and blessing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of God's direct response to King Hezekiah's fervent prayer in the face of Sennacherib's blasphemous threats and the overwhelming Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this, Hezekiah had spread the Assyrian king's taunting letter before the Lord in the temple, appealing to God's honor and power ([Isaiah 37:14-20](/isaiah/37-14-20 "Isaiah 37:14-20 - Hezekiah's Prayer")). God, through the prophet Isaiah, then delivers a powerful oracle of judgment against Sennacherib and a promise of deliverance for Jerusalem ([Isaiah 37:21-29](/isaiah/37-21-29 "Isaiah 37:21-29 - God's Answer to Hezekiah")). Verse 30, therefore, serves as the tangible, time-bound sign that authenticates the preceding prophecy, providing concrete assurance of God's faithfulness and the impending end of the Assyrian threat. It transitions from the immediate military crisis to the long-term restoration of the land and its people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this time (around 701 BCE), the Neo-Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower, and King Sennacherib had already conquered numerous cities in Judah, leaving Jerusalem isolated and vulnerable. The agricultural life of Judah was utterly dependent on annual sowing and harvesting, with vineyards being a significant part of the economy and diet. A prolonged siege or widespread devastation would lead to famine. The sign in this verse directly addresses this vulnerability, promising sustenance even when normal agricultural practices are impossible. The mention of "groweth of itself" and "springeth of the same" refers to volunteer crops (Hebrew: *saphiach* and *shachis*), which would sprout from seeds dropped during previous harvests or from uncultivated fields. This was an extraordinary provision, as relying solely on such growth was not sustainable for a large population. The promise of returning to normal sowing and planting in the third year signifies not just survival but a complete restoration of national life and prosperity, free from the threat of invasion and famine.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes interwoven in this verse include **Divine Providence and Provision**, highlighting God's ability to sustain His people even in dire circumstances, bypassing conventional means. It powerfully demonstrates **God's Sovereignty over Nature and Nations**, as He controls not only the armies of Assyria but also the natural cycles of agriculture to fulfill His word. The verse also underscores **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, assuring Hezekiah and Judah that He would protect them and restore their land, echoing earlier promises of blessing and fruitfulness for obedience ([Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")). Furthermore, it speaks to **Restoration and Hope**, moving beyond immediate deliverance to paint a picture of future stability and renewed life, culminating in a return to normalcy and abundance, which is a recurring motif throughout the book of [Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "The Book of Isaiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sign (Hebrew, _ʼôwth'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to appear," this word signifies a signal, mark, token, or miracle. In this context, it is a divinely appointed, observable event that confirms the truth and certainty of God's preceding prophetic word. It is not merely a prediction but a tangible guarantee of future divine action and provision, intended to bolster Hezekiah's faith and the people's confidence.
* **groweth of itself (Hebrew, _çâphîyach'_):** This term refers to a self-sown crop, grain that sprouts spontaneously from seeds scattered during a previous harvest or from fields left fallow. It denotes a crop that requires no human labor for its initial planting. In the context of a siege and disrupted agricultural cycle, this signifies God's miraculous and unconventional provision, ensuring sustenance without the normal efforts of sowing and tending, serving as a direct demonstration of divine care.
* **sow (Hebrew, _zâraʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to sow," this word encompasses the act of planting seeds, and figuratively, to disseminate or fructify. Its inclusion in the third year's promise signifies a return to normal, productive agricultural activity. After two years of relying on God's spontaneous provision, the ability to "sow, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof" marks the complete restoration of order, stability, and prosperity, where human effort is once again blessed by divine increase.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this shall be a sign unto thee,"**: This opening clause establishes the purpose of the following statement: it is a concrete, verifiable assurance from God to Hezekiah, confirming the truth of the prophecy just delivered concerning Jerusalem's deliverance from Assyria. The sign is a tangible demonstration of God's faithfulness and power.
* **"Ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself;"**: This specifies the first part of the sign. In the current year, which is likely the year of the siege, the people will be sustained by volunteer crops—grain that sprouts naturally without being sown. This highlights God's immediate, miraculous provision in a time of crisis and agricultural disruption.
* **"and the second year that which springeth of the same:"**: This extends the miraculous provision into the following year. "That which springeth of the same" (Hebrew: *shachis*) refers to a second growth from the previous year's volunteer crop or continued reliance on naturally occurring produce. It reinforces the idea that normal farming will still not be fully resumed, yet God will continue to provide supernaturally.
* **"and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof."**: This final clause marks the culmination of the sign and the full restoration. By the third year, the land will be secure and productive enough for the people to resume normal agricultural practices: sowing seeds, harvesting the yield, planting new vineyards, and enjoying the abundance of the land. This signifies a complete return to peace, stability, and prosperity under God's blessing, confirming the end of the Assyrian threat and the full recovery of Judah.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 37:30 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Prophecy**, as the verse foretells a specific sequence of future events, providing a testable sign of God's word. This prophecy functions as a **Divine Assurance**, directly addressing Hezekiah's anxieties with a concrete promise of sustenance and restoration. The agricultural cycle described serves as **Symbolism**, where the progression from reliance on spontaneous growth to active cultivation and abundant harvest symbolizes Judah's journey from immediate crisis and divine provision to full national recovery and prosperity. The detailed, three-year timeline lends an air of **Verisimilitude** and **Credibility** to the divine promise, making it more tangible and reassuring to Hezekiah. Furthermore, the contrast between the passive consumption of self-grown crops in the first two years and the active sowing, reaping, and planting in the third year highlights a progression from miraculous intervention to blessed normalcy, underscoring God's comprehensive plan for His people's well-being.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This sign to Hezekiah profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care and sovereign control over all aspects of creation and history. It demonstrates that God's promises are not vague assurances but are backed by His power to orchestrate natural processes and human events for the good of His people. The progression from miraculous provision to restored normalcy reveals a God who not only intervenes in crisis but also brings about long-term healing and fruitfulness. This agricultural sign underscores the theme of God as the ultimate provider, capable of sustaining life even when human efforts are thwarted, and then restoring the conditions for fruitful labor. It is a powerful testament to His faithfulness to His covenant people, assuring them of a future beyond the immediate devastation.

* [Genesis 8:22](/genesis/8-22 "Genesis 8:22 - God's Covenant with Noah")
* [Psalm 65:9-13](/psalms/65-9-13 "Psalm 65:9-13 - God's Provision for the Earth")
* [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - Plans for Hope and a Future")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 37:30 offers a profound lesson in trusting God's provision and timing, especially when circumstances seem insurmountable. Like Hezekiah, we often face "sieges" in our lives—periods of intense pressure, uncertainty, or disruption where our normal means of sustenance or progress are cut off. This verse reminds us that God is not limited by our circumstances. He can provide for us in unconventional ways ("groweth of itself") when our usual efforts are impossible. Moreover, it teaches us patience and hope: while immediate relief may come through extraordinary means, God's ultimate plan often involves a process of restoration, leading us back to a place of stability, productivity, and abundance. We are called to trust His process, knowing that even in the "second year" of continued reliance, His provision remains, culminating in a "third year" where we can actively participate in the fruitfulness He brings. This passage encourages us to look beyond the immediate crisis to God's long-term promise of peace and flourishing, secure in the knowledge that His word is reliable and His plans for us are for good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "siege" or disruptive period are you currently facing where your usual means of provision or progress feel cut off?**
* **How might God be calling you to trust in His unconventional "self-grown" provision during this time, rather than relying solely on your own efforts?**
* **What does the three-year progression in this sign teach you about God's timing and the process of restoration in your life?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to look forward to a "third year" of renewed fruitfulness and stability, even when the present feels uncertain?**

### FAQ

**What was the immediate context of this "sign" given by God?**

Answer: The sign was given directly to King Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah as an assurance of God's deliverance from the Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, who had besieged Jerusalem and blasphemed the Lord. It served to confirm that God's promise to defeat the Assyrians and save Judah was absolutely certain and would be followed by a period of recovery and restoration. This divine message followed Hezekiah's fervent prayer in the temple, where he laid out Sennacherib's threatening letter before the Lord ([Isaiah 37:14-20](/isaiah/37-14-20 "Isaiah 37:14-20 - Hezekiah's Prayer")).

**How would the people "eat such as groweth of itself" if their land was under siege?**

Answer: The phrase "such as groweth of itself" (Hebrew: *saphiach*) refers to volunteer crops, meaning grain that sprouts spontaneously from seeds scattered during the previous harvest or from fields that were left uncultivated due to the invasion. During the siege, normal farming would have been impossible. God's promise was that even without human effort in sowing, He would supernaturally provide sustenance from these self-grown crops for the first two years, demonstrating His direct intervention and care for His people's physical needs despite the disruption caused by the Assyrian presence ([Isaiah 37:30](/isaiah/37-30 "Isaiah 37:30 - The Sign of Provision")).

**What is the significance of the three-year timeline in the sign?**

Answer: The three-year timeline outlines a clear progression from immediate crisis to full restoration. The first year signifies immediate, miraculous provision during the height of disruption. The second year indicates continued reliance on God's spontaneous provision, suggesting that full normalcy had not yet returned. The third year, however, promises a complete return to stability and prosperity, allowing the people to "sow, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof." This progression assures Hezekiah that the Assyrian threat would be definitively removed, and the land would recover to a state of peace and productivity, demonstrating God's comprehensive plan for their well-being ([Isaiah 37:30](/isaiah/37-30 "Isaiah 37:30 - The Sign of Provision")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 37:30 speaks directly to Judah's physical deliverance and agricultural restoration, it profoundly foreshadows the comprehensive provision and ultimate restoration found in Jesus Christ. The miraculous provision of "self-grown" food for two years points to God's supernatural ability to sustain His people outside of conventional means, a theme fully realized in Christ, who declared Himself the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), providing spiritual sustenance that does not come from human toil. Just as the land was to return to full fruitfulness in the third year, Christ's resurrection on the third day inaugurated a new era of spiritual abundance and true life for all who believe ([1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Resurrection")). He is the true vine, and those who abide in Him "bear much fruit" ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Jesus, the True Vine")), fulfilling the promise of planting vineyards and eating their fruit in a spiritual sense. The ultimate "sign" of God's faithfulness and power is not merely physical sustenance, but the gift of eternal life and spiritual flourishing through the sacrifice and resurrection of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). In Christ, we experience the ultimate "third year" of restoration, where all things are made new, and we partake of the true fruit of salvation and fellowship with God, a reality far surpassing any earthly agricultural bounty ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")).

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

2 Kings 19:29

And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.

1 Kings 13:3

And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This [is] the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that [are] upon it shall be poured out.

1 Kings 13:5

The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

2 Kings 20:9

And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?

Leviticus 25:4

But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

Leviticus 25:5

That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: [for] it is a year of rest unto the land.