Isaiah 38:2

KJV

Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Hezekiah {H2396} turned {H5437} his face {H6440} toward the wall {H7023}, and prayed {H6419} unto the LORD {H3068},

Complete Jewish Bible

Hizkiyahu turned his face toward the wall and prayed to ADONAI:

Berean Standard Bible

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

American Standard Version

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 38:2 captures a profound moment of King Hezekiah's desperate faith as he responds to a divine death sentence. Gravely ill and facing a seemingly irreversible decree from the LORD delivered by the prophet Isaiah, Hezekiah's immediate and instinctual reaction was not despair or resignation, but a deliberate and focused turning to God in fervent prayer, demonstrating a deep trust in divine mercy and accessibility even in the face of ultimate crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Isaiah 38:1](/isaiah/38-1 "Isaiah 38:1 - Hezekiah's Prophecy of Death"), where the prophet Isaiah delivers a stark and unambiguous message from the LORD to King Hezekiah: "Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live." This pronouncement comes at a critical juncture in Hezekiah's life, likely during or shortly after the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, a period of immense national and personal stress. The narrative in [Isaiah 38](/isaiah/38 "Isaiah 38 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery") serves as an interlude within the broader prophetic messages of judgment and salvation in Isaiah, specifically interrupting the flow between the account of Sennacherib's defeat in [Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - Sennacherib's Defeat") and the Babylonian embassy in [Isaiah 39](/isaiah/39 "Isaiah 39 - The Babylonian Embassy"). Hezekiah's response in [Isaiah 38:2](/isaiah/38-2 "Isaiah 38:2 - Hezekiah's Prayer") sets the stage for a dramatic divine reversal, highlighting God's responsiveness to the earnest cries of His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah reigned over Judah from approximately 715-686 BC, a period marked by significant political turmoil, primarily the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. His reign was characterized by religious reforms, purging idolatry and restoring proper worship of the LORD. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a prophetic word, especially one from the LORD, carried immense weight and was generally considered absolute. To be told one would die was not merely a medical diagnosis but a divine decree. The act of "turning his face toward the wall" would have been understood as a deliberate gesture of privacy and intense focus, common in ancient prayer practices where one might seek seclusion to pour out their heart to God, often facing Jerusalem or a specific direction of worship. This posture underscores the profound personal nature of Hezekiah's plea, shutting out external distractions to engage solely with the divine.
* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 38:2](/isaiah/38-2 "Isaiah 38:2 - Hezekiah's Prayer") contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **desperate prayer** in the face of insurmountable odds, showcasing a king who, despite his royal authority, humbly casts himself upon God's mercy. Secondly, it highlights the **accessibility and responsiveness of God**, demonstrating that even a seemingly final divine decree can be met with and potentially altered by fervent, believing prayer. This underscores the tension between divine sovereignty and human petition, a recurring motif in Scripture. Thirdly, the act of turning to the wall emphasizes **intimacy and focus in prayer**, suggesting that true communion with God often requires intentional withdrawal from the world to achieve undivided attention. This anticipates later biblical teachings on seeking God in secret, as seen in [Matthew 6:6](/matthew/6-6 "Matthew 6:6 - Prayer in Secret"). Ultimately, Hezekiah's experience reinforces the overarching theme of **God's covenant faithfulness** and His willingness to act mercifully on behalf of those who genuinely seek Him, even when their own actions or circumstances seem to dictate otherwise.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned (Hebrew, _çâbab'_):** From the root H5437, meaning "to revolve, surround, or border." In this context, it signifies a deliberate physical reorientation, a decisive turning away from his current surroundings and perhaps even from the immediate reality of his impending death, to face something else. This is not a casual movement but an intentional act of focus and devotion, signifying a complete shift in attention and posture towards the object of his prayer.
* **face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** From the root H6440, referring to "the face (as the part that turns)." This word emphasizes the personal and direct nature of Hezekiah's action. It's not just his body that turns, but his very countenance, the seat of his expression and focus. The act of turning his face implies an intense, direct gaze, a profound engagement of his entire being in the act of prayer.
* **prayed (Hebrew, _pâlal'_):** From the root H6419, meaning "to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray." This word encompasses both the act of supplicating and the underlying process of internal reflection or appeal to a higher authority. Hezekiah's prayer is not merely a request but an act of intercession, a fervent appeal to God's justice and mercy, reflecting a deep understanding of his position before the divine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Hezekiah turned his face":** This clause describes Hezekiah's immediate and decisive physical action. Upon receiving the dire prophecy, his first instinct is not to lament publicly or seek human counsel, but to reorient himself. The turning of his "face" (pânîym) signifies a complete shift in his attention and focus, indicating an intensely personal and deliberate engagement with the situation. It suggests a profound internal resolve to seek divine intervention.
* **"toward the wall":** This phrase specifies the direction and nature of his turning. The "wall" (qîyr) likely refers to a physical wall in his chamber. This act is often interpreted as a desire for privacy, to create a secluded space for intimate communion with God, shutting out the world and its distractions. It symbolizes humility, a posture of withdrawal from public view to engage in a deeply personal and unhindered outpouring of his heart to the LORD. It could also symbolize a barrier against the world, allowing for singular focus on God.
* **"and prayed unto the LORD":** This final clause reveals the ultimate purpose of Hezekiah's actions. Having reoriented himself physically and mentally, he then engages in direct communication with God (Yᵉhôvâh). The Hebrew word for "prayed" (pâlal) denotes a serious, often intercessory, act of supplication. This highlights his faith that despite the prophet's pronouncement, God remained accessible and responsive to earnest prayer, demonstrating his belief in God's sovereignty and mercy.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Imagery** is prominent, as the physical act of "turning his face toward the wall" creates a vivid mental picture of Hezekiah's intense focus and desperate humility. This specific posture functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical turning, but a complete reorientation of his being towards God, a shutting out of all earthly distractions to engage in intimate, unhindered prayer. The contrast between the divine decree of death in [Isaiah 38:1](/isaiah/38-1 "Isaiah 38:1 - Hezekiah's Prophecy of Death") and Hezekiah's immediate act of prayer introduces an element of **Dramatic Tension**, setting the stage for the remarkable divine intervention that follows. Furthermore, the simplicity and directness of the language, particularly "and prayed unto the LORD," lend an air of profound authenticity and urgency to Hezekiah's spiritual response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's response in [Isaiah 38:2](/isaiah/38-2 "Isaiah 38:2 - Hezekiah's Prayer") serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of prayer and God's interaction with humanity. It underscores the biblical truth that while God is sovereign and His word is powerful, He is also a God who hears and responds to the earnest cries of His people. This passage challenges a fatalistic view of divine decrees, demonstrating that prayer can indeed influence outcomes, not by changing God's character or ultimate plan, but by aligning human will with His merciful nature. Hezekiah's desperate plea, born out of a crisis, highlights the efficacy of fervent, believing prayer, even when circumstances appear irreversible. It affirms God's accessibility and His willingness to extend grace and mercy to those who humbly seek Him.

* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "The Prayer of a Righteous Person") - "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
* [Psalm 50:15](/psalms/50-15 "Call Upon Me in the Day of Trouble") - "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14 "Confidence in Prayer") - "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's example in [Isaiah 38:2](/isaiah/38-2 "Isaiah 38:2 - Hezekiah's Prayer") offers timeless lessons for believers facing their own "death sentences"—whether literal or metaphorical. In moments of profound crisis, when circumstances seem insurmountable and divine pronouncements appear final, our most potent and immediate recourse is to turn to God in earnest prayer. Hezekiah's act of turning his face to the wall teaches us the importance of intentionality and intimacy in our communion with God. It calls us to shut out the noise and distractions of the world, to find a private space where we can pour out our hearts to the Almighty without reservation. This is not a passive resignation but an active, faith-filled appeal to the One who holds all power and mercy. His story reassures us that no situation is beyond God's reach, and that our God is one who hears, who responds, and who delights in showing compassion to those who seek Him wholeheartedly. It encourages us to cultivate a life of persistent and focused prayer, trusting in God's character even when His will seems contrary to our desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is my immediate reaction when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges or dire news? Do I, like Hezekiah, instinctively turn to God in prayer?**
* **How does the idea of "turning my face toward the wall" translate into my personal prayer life? Am I intentional about creating space for intimate, focused communion with God, free from distractions?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to exercise Hezekiah's kind of desperate faith, believing that God can intervene even when circumstances appear irreversible?**
* **How does Hezekiah's experience strengthen my conviction in the power and efficacy of prayer, even when God's will seems clear?**

### FAQ
**Was God's prophecy to Hezekiah in Isaiah 38:1 truly unconditional, or was it a warning?**

Answer: The prophecy in [Isaiah 38:1](/isaiah/38-1 "Isaiah 38:1 - Hezekiah's Prophecy of Death"), "Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live," appears to be an unconditional divine decree. However, Hezekiah's subsequent prayer and God's immediate response in [Isaiah 38:5](/isaiah/38-5 "Isaiah 38:5 - God Hears Hezekiah's Prayer") ("I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years") demonstrate that God, in His sovereignty and mercy, can choose to alter or extend a decree in response to sincere repentance and fervent prayer. This highlights a dynamic aspect of God's interaction with humanity, where His ultimate will often incorporates His responsiveness to the heartfelt pleas of His covenant people. It suggests that some prophecies, particularly those concerning judgment, can function as warnings designed to elicit a response, rather than absolute, unchangeable pronouncements.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's desperate prayer and God's merciful response in [Isaiah 38:2](/isaiah/38-2 "Isaiah 38:2 - Hezekiah's Prayer") find their ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While Hezekiah turned to a physical wall in his moment of crisis, seeking a private space to appeal to God for an extension of his earthly life, Christ Himself is the ultimate "wall" or mediator, the one through whom all access to the Father is granted. Hezekiah's fervent plea for life foreshadows the eternal life that Christ offers, not merely an extension of mortal days but victory over death itself. Just as God heard Hezekiah's tears and added years to his life, so too does God, in Christ, hear the cries of a lost humanity and offer spiritual life and resurrection. Christ, in His own desperate prayer in [Gethsemane](/matthew/26-36 "Matthew 26:36 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"), perfectly embodied the posture of humble submission and fervent intercession, though unlike Hezekiah, He prayed for the Father's will to be done, even if it meant drinking the cup of suffering. Hezekiah's temporary reprieve points to Christ, who is the true source of healing and the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering not just physical healing but spiritual restoration and eternal life to all who turn their faces to Him in faith. He is our great High Priest, who ever lives to [make intercession for us](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Intercessor"), ensuring that our prayers are heard and answered according to God's perfect will.

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

Psalms 91:15

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

1 Kings 8:30

And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

Psalms 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Matthew 6:6

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.