¶ In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
In those days {H3117} was Hezekiah {H2396} sick {H2470} unto death {H4191}. And Isaiah {H3470} the prophet {H5030} the son {H1121} of Amoz {H531} came {H935} unto him, and said {H559} unto him, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Set thine house {H1004} in order {H6680}: for thou shalt die {H4191}, and not live {H2421}.
Around this time Hizkiyahu became ill to the point of death. Yesha'yahu the prophet, the son of Amotz, came and said to him, "Here is what ADONAI says: 'Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not live.'"
In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’”
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
-
Isaiah 38:1
¶ In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. -
Isaiah 38:8
Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down. -
2 Chronicles 32:24
¶ In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. -
2 Kings 20:1
¶ In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. -
2 Kings 20:11
And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. -
2 Samuel 17:23
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. -
Jonah 3:10
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not.
Isaiah 38:1 opens a poignant account in the life of King Hezekiah, revealing a direct and stark message from the LORD delivered by the prophet Isaiah. This verse immediately sets a tone of urgency and divine decree concerning the king's fate.
Historical and Cultural Context
King Hezekiah, a righteous monarch of Judah, reigned during a tumultuous period in the late 8th century BC. This specific event of his severe illness "unto death" likely occurred around the time of, or shortly after, the dramatic Assyrian siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, an event described in Isaiah chapters 36-37 and 2 Kings 18-19. The presence of Isaiah, "the prophet the son of Amoz," underscores the significant role of divine messengers in ancient Israel, acting as direct conduits for God's word to kings and common people alike. The command to "set thine house in order" was a common cultural practice, signifying the need to settle all affairs—familial, financial, and administrative—before an impending death.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "Set thine house in order" translates the Hebrew צַו לְבֵיתֶךָ (tzav l'veitekha), which literally means "command your house" or "give instructions concerning your household." This idiom clearly conveys the necessity of arranging one's affairs, making a will, or settling debts in anticipation of death. It's a call to final responsibility and foresight.
Related Scriptures
This verse sets the stage for one of the most remarkable accounts of divine intervention in the Bible. Immediately following this dire prophecy, Hezekiah turns to God in fervent prayer, and God miraculously extends his life by fifteen years. This incredible reversal is detailed in Isaiah 38:5 and 2 Kings 20:6. The narrative also includes the miraculous sign of the sun's shadow going backward on the sundial, a powerful testament to God's power, found in Isaiah 38:8. This whole episode demonstrates that while God's decrees are absolute, He is also merciful and responsive to the humble and earnest prayers of His servants, reminding us of the power of prayer as highlighted in James 5:16.
Practical Application
Isaiah 38:1 serves as a profound call to reflection for every individual. It reminds us of the certainty of our own mortality and the importance of living each day with purpose and spiritual readiness. To "set our house in order" means not only attending to practical matters like wills and finances but, more importantly, ensuring our spiritual affairs are settled—our relationship with God is right, and we are living according to His will. This verse encourages us to embrace a life of preparedness, trusting in God's sovereignty even amidst life's uncertainties, and to never take our days for granted.