Isaiah 38:14

KJV

Like a crane [or] a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail [with looking] upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Like a crane {H5483} or a swallow {H5693}, so did I chatter {H6850}: I did mourn {H1897} as a dove {H3123}: mine eyes {H5869} fail {H1809} with looking upward {H4791}: O LORD {H3068}, I am oppressed {H6234}; undertake {H6148} for me.

Complete Jewish Bible

I make little chattering sounds like a swallow, I moan aloud like a dove, My eyes are weary with looking upward. Adonai, I am overwhelmed; guarantee my life!'

Berean Standard Bible

I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.”

American Standard Version

Like a swallowora crane, so did I chatter; I did moan as a dove; mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppressed, be thou my surety.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 38:14 vividly portrays King Hezekiah's profound anguish and utter helplessness during his life-threatening illness. Through poignant animal imagery, he describes his voice as reduced to the feeble, high-pitched sounds of a crane or swallow, his sorrow as deep and pervasive as a dove's mournful cooing, and his eyes strained and failing from ceaselessly looking heavenward for deliverance. His concluding, desperate cry, "O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me," encapsulates his complete reliance on God to act as his divine guarantor and champion in the face of overwhelming affliction and impending death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a deeply personal and emotionally charged section within King Hezekiah's "writing" or psalm of thanksgiving, recorded in [Isaiah 38](/isaiah/38 "Isaiah 38 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery"). The chapter opens with the prophet Isaiah delivering a stark message of impending death to Hezekiah ([Isaiah 38:1](/isaiah/38-1 "Isaiah 38:1 - Hezekiah's Death Prophesied")). In a profound act of faith and desperation, Hezekiah turns his face to the wall and pours out his heart to the Lord, pleading for an extension of life based on his faithful walk ([Isaiah 38:2-3](/isaiah/38-2-3 "Isaiah 38:2-3 - Hezekiah's Earnest Prayer")). Remarkably, before Isaiah even leaves the palace courtyard, God reverses His decree, promising Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life and deliverance from the Assyrian threat ([Isaiah 38:4-6](/isaiah/38-4-6 "God's Promise of Life and Deliverance")). Verse 14, therefore, forms a pivotal part of Hezekiah's subsequent reflection on the depths of his despair and the miraculous nature of God's intervention, illustrating the raw intensity of his suffering and his absolute dependence on divine action before his recovery.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah's reign (c. 715-686 BC) was a tumultuous period for Judah, marked by the formidable rise of the Assyrian Empire. The illness described in [Isaiah 38](/isaiah/38 "Isaiah 38 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery") is generally understood to have occurred around the time of Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC, a detail corroborated by the promise of deliverance from the king of Assyria ([Isaiah 38:6](/isaiah/38-6 "Deliverance from Assyria")). In the ancient Near East, severe illness and premature death were often interpreted as signs of divine displeasure or abandonment, making Hezekiah's desperate plea for life a culturally resonant act of seeking divine favor. The use of animal imagery—cranes, swallows, and doves—was common in the region's poetic and prophetic traditions, with their distinctive sounds and behaviors serving as readily understood metaphors for human conditions of distress, lament, and longing. Furthermore, the concept of a "guarantor" or one who "undertakes" for another (as seen in Hezekiah's final plea) was a well-established legal and social custom, signifying a binding commitment to intercede or assume responsibility for another's debt or plight.
* **Key Themes:** Hezekiah's song in [Isaiah 38](/isaiah/38 "Isaiah 38 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery") profoundly illuminates several core biblical themes. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty over Life and Death**, powerfully demonstrated by God's initial decree of death and His subsequent, miraculous extension of Hezekiah's life, underscoring His ultimate control over human destiny, a truth echoed in [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God's Power Over Life and Death"). The passage also highlights **The Efficacy of Earnest Prayer and Lament**, as Hezekiah's heartfelt supplication directly influences God's decision, affirming the power of a righteous person's prayer, a principle articulated in [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Prayer of a Righteous Person"). Furthermore, Hezekiah's vivid descriptions of his physical and emotional breakdown emphasize **Human Frailty and Absolute Dependence on God**, revealing the limits of human strength and the necessity of divine intervention. His climactic plea for God to "undertake for me" showcases a deep **Trust in God's Covenant Faithfulness** and His willingness to act as a deliverer and advocate for His people, a consistent theme throughout the book of [Isaiah](/isaiah "The Book of Isaiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **chatter (Hebrew, _tsâphaph'_):** (H6850) This primitive root means "to coo or chirp (as a bird)," and by extension, "to chatter, peep, whisper." In Hezekiah's lament, it conveys his voice being reduced to a weak, high-pitched, and perhaps incoherent sound, much like the feeble chirping of a bird. This suggests extreme physical weakness, breathlessness, and a profound inability to articulate a strong, clear cry, indicative of his near-death state.
* **mourn (Hebrew, _hâgâh'_):** (H1897) This root carries a range of meanings including "to murmur," "to ponder," "to meditate," and "to roar." In the context of a dove, it specifically refers to a deep, sorrowful lament or cooing. For Hezekiah, it signifies a pervasive, guttural, and aching grief that has settled deep within his being. It's not merely an outward sound but an expression of profound internal sorrow, a deep groan of despair over his impending demise.
* **undertake (Hebrew, _ʻârab'_):** (H6148) This significant primitive root means "to braid, i.e., intermix," but critically, "to give to be security" or "to be surety." Hezekiah's plea is not merely a request for help, but a profound appeal for God to step in as his guarantor, to take full responsibility for his desperate situation, and to deliver him from his oppression. It is a powerful legal and relational term, asking God to be his champion, advocate, and ultimate deliverer from the clutches of death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Like a crane [or] a swallow, so did I chatter":** Hezekiah initiates his lament by comparing his voice and cries to the distinct, often high-pitched, and weak sounds of specific birds. The crane (Hebrew: *çûwç*) and swallow (Hebrew: *ʻâgûwr*) are known for their rapid flight and sharp, twittering calls. This simile vividly portrays Hezekiah's physical debilitation: his voice is no longer strong or clear, but reduced to a feeble, almost involuntary sound, reflecting his extreme weakness, breathlessness, and distress, perhaps even gasping for air.
* **"I did mourn as a dove":** Shifting to another bird, the dove (Hebrew: *yôwnâh*), Hezekiah deepens the emotional resonance of his suffering. Doves are universally associated with mournful cooing, a sound of deep sorrow and lament. This metaphor emphasizes the profound, aching grief that permeated his heart, extending beyond mere physical weakness to a spiritual and emotional anguish over his impending death and the anticipated separation from God's temple and the vibrant life of his people.
* **"mine eyes fail [with looking] upward":** This phrase powerfully depicts Hezekiah's desperate and ceaseless gaze towards heaven. His eyes (Hebrew: *ʻayin*) are "failing" (Hebrew: *dâlal*), meaning they are weak, exhausted, or worn out from constantly looking up (Hebrew: *mârôwm*, "on high"). This signifies his unwavering focus on God as his only source of hope and deliverance. It highlights his complete reliance on divine intervention, as he has no other recourse or earthly hope to cling to, having exhausted all other avenues.
* **"O LORD, I am oppressed":** This is a direct, desperate, and personal cry to Yahweh (Hebrew: *Yᵉhôvâh*), the covenant God of Israel. Hezekiah declares his state of being "oppressed" (Hebrew: *ʻoshqâh*), meaning crushed, overwhelmed, or burdened by his sickness and the imminent threat of death. This is a raw confession of his utter helplessness and the overwhelming nature of his affliction, acknowledging that he is under a weight too heavy for him to bear on his own.
* **"undertake for me."** This climactic plea is the heart of Hezekiah's prayer, transitioning from lament to a desperate petition. He is asking God to be his guarantor, his surety, to take full responsibility for his desperate situation, and to intervene decisively on his behalf. It's a request for God to step in, to champion his cause, and to deliver him from his suffering, demonstrating absolute trust in God's power and willingness to act as his ultimate advocate.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 38:14 is rich in literary devices that amplify Hezekiah's profound distress and desperate plea. The most prominent device is **Simile**, used repeatedly to convey his physical and emotional state. Hezekiah compares his weak, high-pitched voice to the "chatter" of a **crane or a swallow**, immediately painting a vivid picture of a voice reduced to a feeble, almost incoherent sound. This is followed by another powerful simile, "I did mourn as a **dove**," which evokes the deep, melancholic cooing of a dove, symbolizing his profound sorrow and lament. The phrase "mine eyes fail [with looking] upward" employs a subtle form of **Personification**, as his eyes are described as "failing" due to their incessant, desperate gaze towards heaven, almost as if they possess their own will or capacity for exhaustion. The entire verse functions as a **Lament**, a common genre in biblical poetry, characterized by an expression of deep suffering, a plea for divine intervention, and often an underlying trust in God's ultimate deliverance. The direct address, "O LORD," is an example of **Apostrophe**, a direct appeal to God, emphasizing the personal and urgent nature of his appeal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's desperate cry in Isaiah 38:14 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of human suffering and divine response. It underscores the theological truth that God is intimately attentive to the cries of His people, even when those cries are raw, inarticulate, and born of extreme distress. His plea for God to "undertake" for him highlights God's unique role as the ultimate guarantor and deliverer, one who steps into human impossibility to bring about salvation. This passage affirms the legitimacy and spiritual value of lament within faith, demonstrating that expressing pain, weakness, and fear to God is not a sign of weak faith, but an act of profound trust in His compassionate sovereignty. It also foreshadows God's ultimate provision of a divine surety for humanity's greatest need—deliverance from sin and death.

* [Psalm 6:6](/psalms/6-6 "Psalm 6:6 - David's Weary Lament")
* [Psalm 116:3-4](/psalms/116-3-4 "Psalm 116:3-4 - Deliverance from Death's Snares")
* [Lamentations 3:55-56](/lamentations/3-55-56 "Lamentations 3:55-56 - A Cry from the Depths")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's profound vulnerability and desperate plea in Isaiah 38:14 offer a powerful and liberating model for believers navigating their own seasons of overwhelming distress, illness, or despair. In moments where our physical strength fails, our emotions are raw, and our words are inadequate, this verse grants us permission to bring our unfiltered anguish before God. Like Hezekiah, we are invited to express our "chatter" and "mourning"—the incoherent groans, the deep sorrow, the strained upward gaze—knowing that God understands the language of our suffering far better than we do. The core of his plea, "O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me," becomes our own cry for divine intervention. It reminds us that when we are utterly helpless, God is our ultimate Helper, capable of stepping into our impossible situations as our guarantor and champion. This passage encourages us to cease striving in our own strength and instead, with eyes fixed on Him, to trust Him to bear our burdens, fight our battles, and bring about His perfect will, even when all earthly hope seems lost and our future uncertain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "oppressed" or overwhelmed, much like Hezekiah?**
* **How comfortable are you expressing raw, unfiltered lament and weakness to God, rather than always presenting a strong front?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to ask God to "undertake" for you, and how might that transform your approach to challenging circumstances?**
* **When your "eyes fail with looking upward," what specific promises or truths about God do you cling to for hope and strength?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Hezekiah comparing himself to a crane, a swallow, and a dove?**

Answer: The animal imagery in [Isaiah 38:14](/isaiah/38-14 "Isaiah 38:14 - Hezekiah's Lament") is highly symbolic, conveying different facets of Hezekiah's extreme distress. The "crane" and "swallow" (or "swift") are birds known for their high-pitched, chirping, or twittering sounds. By comparing his "chatter" to these birds, Hezekiah illustrates his voice being reduced to a weak, almost incoherent, or gasping sound, reflecting his physical weakness and breathlessness due to his illness. It's a sound of helplessness, not articulate speech. The "dove," on the other hand, is universally associated with mournful cooing. This comparison emphasizes the deep, pervasive sorrow and lament that filled Hezekiah's heart, a profound grief over his impending death and separation from life and the temple. Together, these similes paint a vivid picture of a man utterly broken, both physically and emotionally, whose very being cries out in distress.

**What does Hezekiah mean by "mine eyes fail [with looking] upward"?**

Answer: This powerful phrase describes Hezekiah's intense and continuous focus on God as his only source of hope and deliverance. His "eyes fail" (Hebrew: *dâlal*) means they are weak, exhausted, or worn out from constantly looking towards heaven (Hebrew: *mârôwm*, meaning "upward" or "on high"). It signifies a desperate, unwavering gaze, a literal straining of his vision in search of a sign, a glimmer of hope, or an act of intervention from God. It underscores his complete reliance on the divine, having exhausted all other possibilities and finding no earthly relief. This imagery highlights his profound faith and the depth of his desperation, as he literally fixes his gaze on the one who can save him, demonstrating that his hope is solely in the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's desperate plea for God to "undertake for me" in [Isaiah 38:14](/isaiah/38-14 "Isaiah 38:14 - Hezekiah's Lament") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hezekiah cried out for a guarantor, someone to step into his impossible situation and bear his burden. In Christ, God Himself "undertakes" for humanity in a way far surpassing Hezekiah's immediate need. Jesus is the divine **Surety** of a better covenant ([Hebrews 7:22](/hebrews/7-22 "Hebrews 7:22 - Jesus, the Surety of a Better Covenant")), the one who took responsibility for our sin and death, bearing the crushing weight of our oppression on the cross ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Sins")). Where Hezekiah's eyes failed in looking upward for a deliverer, our eyes are fixed on Jesus, who ascended to the "upward" place, the right hand of the Father, where He now constantly **intercedes** for us ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession") and [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Always Lives to Intercede")). He is the ultimate champion who has overcome death, ensuring that those who trust in Him will not face the ultimate oppression of eternal separation from God. Hezekiah's lament, born of a fear of death, points to the One who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel ([2 Timothy 1:10](/2_timothy/1-10 "2 Timothy 1:10 - Christ Abolished Death")). Thus, Hezekiah's cry for a divine guarantor is fully answered in Christ, our faithful High Priest and perfect Surety, who has secured our eternal deliverance.

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 59:11

We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but [there is] none; for salvation, [but] it is far off from us.

Psalms 69:3

I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

Nahum 2:7

And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead [her] as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.

Psalms 119:122

Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

Psalms 119:123

¶ Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Psalms 123:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Psalms 123:4

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, [and] with the contempt of the proud.