Isaiah 38:13

KJV

I reckoned till morning, [that], as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me.

KJV (with Strong's)

I reckoned {H7737} till morning {H1242}, that, as a lion {H738}, so will he break {H7665} all my bones {H6106}: from day {H3117} even to night {H3915} wilt thou make an end {H7999} of me.

Complete Jewish Bible

I try to be strong like a lion till morning, but still my illness breaks all my bones - between day and night you could finish me off.

Berean Standard Bible

I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me.

American Standard Version

I quieted myself until morning; as a lion, so he breaketh all my bones: From day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 38:13 vividly portrays King Hezekiah's profound agony and terror as he faced a terminal illness. In this deeply personal lament, he recounts a sleepless night spent in dread, anticipating a swift and brutal demise. He likens the overwhelming force of his sickness, which he perceives as divinely ordained, to a predatory lion savagely breaking his bones. The verse encapsulates his desperate sense of vulnerability and the crushing certainty of death's imminent approach, stretching from the first light of dawn to the encroaching darkness of night.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of King Hezekiah's personal psalm of thanksgiving and lament, recorded in [Isaiah 38:9-20](/isaiah/38-9-20 "Isaiah 38:9-20 - Hezekiah's Psalm of Thanksgiving and Deliverance"). The preceding narrative in [Isaiah 38:1-8](/isaiah/38-1-8 "Isaiah 38:1-8 - Hezekiah's Illness and God's Promise") sets the stage, detailing the prophet Isaiah's announcement of Hezekiah's impending death, followed by the king's fervent prayer and God's miraculous response to extend his life by fifteen years. Therefore, Hezekiah's psalm, including this verse, serves as a retrospective account of his near-death experience, capturing his despair, his earnest plea, and the profound emotional and spiritual transformation brought about by his divine deliverance. It stands in stark contrast to the triumphant tone that characterizes the latter part of the chapter, providing a raw, honest glimpse into the depths of his suffering before his healing.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah reigned over the Kingdom of Judah from approximately 715-686 BC, a tumultuous period marked by the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire, as extensively chronicled in [Isaiah 36-37](/isaiah/36-37 "Isaiah 36-37 - Assyrian Invasion and Deliverance of Jerusalem"). He was renowned as a righteous monarch who spearheaded significant religious reforms, eradicating idolatry and restoring the pure worship of Yahweh throughout Judah. In ancient Israel, illness was frequently interpreted as either a direct consequence of divine displeasure or a test of faith, a perspective reflected in Hezekiah's lament as he attributes his suffering directly to God's agency. The powerful imagery of a lion as a destructive, overwhelming force was deeply embedded in ancient Near Eastern symbolism, representing immense power, ferocity, and predatory violence. This makes it a particularly potent metaphor for the king's perception of his inescapable and brutal fate.

* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 38:13 contributes significantly to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. It powerfully underscores the theme of **human vulnerability and absolute dependence on God**, illustrating that even powerful rulers like Hezekiah are ultimately subject to divine will, with life and death residing solely in God's hands, a truth echoed in [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God's Sovereignty Over Life and Death"). The verse also highlights the theme of **intense suffering and the legitimacy of lament**, demonstrating that it is not only permissible but spiritually healthy to express raw despair, fear, and even protest before God, a practice richly exemplified throughout the [book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - A Collection of Prayers and Praises"). Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty over affliction**, as Hezekiah perceives God as the one who will "make an end" of him, thereby setting the stage for the miraculous divine intervention that follows, reinforcing God's ultimate control over all circumstances, including illness and healing, as also affirmed in [Job 5:18](/job/5-18 "Job 5:18 - God Wounds and Heals").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **reckoned (Hebrew, _shâvâh'_):** From H7737, meaning "to level, i.e. equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e. counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, etc.); avail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail, (be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a-) like, make plain, profit, reckon." In this context, Hezekiah's "reckoning" until morning suggests he spent a sleepless night in agonizing deliberation, mentally processing his impending death, and perhaps attempting to reconcile himself with his fate. It speaks to a profound internal struggle, a desperate and futile effort to prepare for or even stave off the inevitable, highlighting his intense mental anguish.

* **lion (Hebrew, _ʼărîy'_):** From H738, meaning "a lion; (young) lion, [phrase] pierce." The lion is a potent symbol of overwhelming strength, ferocity, and destructive power. Here, it functions as a vivid and terrifying metaphor for the relentless and crushing force of Hezekiah's illness or the perceived divine judgment. The imagery conveys a visceral sense of being utterly helpless and vulnerable before a superior, merciless power that is intent on his complete physical destruction, emphasizing the brutal and inescapable nature of his suffering.

* **make an end (Hebrew, _shâlam'_):** From H7999, meaning "to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications); make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely." While this root often carries connotations of peace, completion, or restoration, in this specific context, "make an end" signifies a definitive and final termination of life. Hezekiah attributes this ultimate act directly to God ("wilt thou make an end of me"), underscoring his deep theological conviction in divine sovereignty over life and death, even in his profound suffering. The word's broader semantic range paradoxically emphasizes the totality and completeness of the anticipated demise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I reckoned till morning":** This clause vividly portrays Hezekiah's agonizing, sleepless night. The act of "reckoning" implies a desperate mental calculation, a weighing of his fate, or a futile attempt to brace himself for what he believes will be his final hours. It depicts a mind consumed by the certainty of impending doom, unable to find any solace or escape from the grim reality of his mortal illness.
* **"that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones":** Here, Hezekiah employs a powerful and visceral simile to describe the nature of his suffering. The "he" refers to the perceived agent of his affliction—his mortal illness, understood as an instrument of God's sovereign hand. The comparison to a lion savagely breaking bones conveys extreme physical pain, a crushing, debilitating force, and a sensation of total bodily disintegration. It is a hyperbole expressing utter physical collapse and the feeling of being completely pulverized by an irresistible power.
* **"from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me":** This phrase accentuates the swiftness, relentlessness, and inevitability of the anticipated death. From the dawn of the day Hezekiah "reckoned" until the approaching night, he expects his life to be completely and utterly terminated. The direct address "wilt thou make an end of me" underscores his profound conviction that God is the ultimate orchestrator of his suffering and impending death, reflecting a deep theological understanding of divine sovereignty over all aspects of life and mortality.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 38:13 is rich in literary devices that powerfully amplify Hezekiah's profound despair and physical agony. The most striking is the **Simile**, "as a lion, so will he break all my bones," which vividly compares the destructive, overwhelming force of his illness (or God's perceived judgment) to the savage, bone-crushing power of a predatory lion. This imagery evokes intense fear, a sense of being utterly helpless, and acute physical suffering. The phrase "break all my bones" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration employed not to deceive but to convey the extreme, overwhelming pain and physical debilitation Hezekiah is experiencing, rather than a literal fracturing of his skeleton. Furthermore, there is a subtle yet impactful form of **Personification** where the illness or the agent of death is depicted as an active, predatory force, akin to the lion, actively pursuing and destroying him. The entire verse functions as a profound **Lament**, a common biblical genre where an individual expresses deep sorrow, suffering, and often a desperate plea to God, articulating raw emotion and vulnerability without reservation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's raw lament in Isaiah 38:13 profoundly connects with the biblical theology of suffering, divine sovereignty, and the nature of human prayer. His unvarnished expression of despair, even attributing his impending death to God's direct action, highlights the biblical permission for honest and passionate lament before a sovereign God. It underscores the truth that God is ultimately in control of life and death, and that even in the darkest moments of perceived divine judgment or intense affliction, believers are called to turn to Him. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that physical suffering can be a catalyst for deep spiritual introspection and a renewed, often more profound, understanding of God's power, justice, and mercy, especially when contrasted with the miraculous healing and extended life that immediately follow.

* [Psalm 22:14](/psalms/22-14 "Psalm 22:14 - The Suffering Servant's Bones")
* [Job 10:16](/job/10-16 "Job 10:16 - God's Overwhelming Power and Man's Frailty")
* [Psalm 6:6-7](/psalms/6-6-7 "Psalm 6:6-7 - David's Anguish and Weeping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's desperate cry in Isaiah 38:13 offers a profound and validating lesson for believers navigating their own seasons of intense suffering, overwhelming fear, or perceived divine abandonment. It authenticates the full spectrum of human emotion, demonstrating that genuine faith does not necessitate a stoic denial of pain or fear, but rather encourages an honest, unreserved pouring out of one's heart before God. In our darkest moments, when life's trials feel like a predatory force threatening to "break our bones" metaphorically, this passage reminds us that God is intimately near, listening attentively to our laments, even when we struggle to understand His purposes or feel as though He is the source of our affliction. It encourages us to bring our whole selves—our pain, our fear, our questions, our confusion—to the One who holds all things in His hands, trusting that His ultimate purpose is always redemptive, even if His immediate actions are inscrutable. Hezekiah's subsequent miraculous healing serves as a powerful testament to God's compassion, His responsiveness to fervent prayer, and His ability to transform despair into a vibrant testimony of divine faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Hezekiah's raw expression of fear and pain validate your own feelings during times of intense suffering or uncertainty?**
* **In what ways do you, like Hezekiah, attribute difficult circumstances in your life to God's sovereign will, and how does this perspective impact your prayer life and trust in Him?**
* **What "lions" are currently threatening to "break your bones" (metaphorically speaking) in your life, and how can you bring that fear and vulnerability honestly before God?**

### FAQ
**Was Hezekiah blaming God for his illness in this verse?**

Answer: Hezekiah's language ("wilt thou make an end of me") certainly indicates that he perceived God as the ultimate agent behind his suffering and impending death. In the ancient Israelite worldview, God was seen as absolutely sovereign over all aspects of life, including illness and health, prosperity and adversity (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God's Sovereignty Over Life and Death"), [Job 2:10](/job/2-10 "Job 2:10 - Job's Acceptance of God's Will")). This was not necessarily an accusation of wrongdoing on God's part, but rather an acknowledgment of His absolute control and power. Hezekiah's prayer is a lament, a biblically sanctioned form of honest communication where the sufferer expresses their distress directly to God, often questioning or wrestling with God's actions, yet without abandoning faith or trust in His ultimate goodness. It's a cry of anguish expressed within a framework of belief in divine sovereignty, rather than a rebellious accusation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's harrowing experience in Isaiah 38:13, marked by the terror of death and the crushing weight of suffering, finds its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Hezekiah faced a physical death from which he was miraculously spared for a time, Christ voluntarily entered into the ultimate "breaking of bones" on the cross, enduring the full, unmitigated weight of sin, suffering, and death (cf. [Psalm 22:14](/psalms/22-14 "Psalm 22:14 - A Prophecy of Christ's Suffering"), a profoundly prophetic psalm of Christ's crucifixion). Unlike Hezekiah, who recoiled from the prospect of the end, Jesus fully embraced His suffering and death, knowing it was the divinely appointed path to victory over the very powers that threatened Hezekiah. The "lion" of death that sought to consume Hezekiah was ultimately defeated by the true [Lion of Judah](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - Jesus, the Lion of Judah"), Jesus Christ, through His glorious resurrection. Where Hezekiah was granted a temporary reprieve from the grave, Christ offers eternal life, having definitively "made an end" of sin and death's dominion (cf. [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Thus, Hezekiah's lament foreshadows the infinitely greater suffering of Christ, whose victory transforms human despair into abiding hope and offers true healing, reconciliation, and everlasting life to all who believe in Him (cf. [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

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

Daniel 6:24

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast [them] into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

Psalms 51:8

Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.

1 Corinthians 11:30

For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

1 Corinthians 11:32

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

1 Kings 13:24

And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.

1 Kings 13:26

And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard [thereof], he said, It [is] the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him.

Job 10:16

For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.