2 kings 20:5 - “Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘Yahweh, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to Yahweh’s house.

Generated Verse: 2 kings 20:5

What does "2 kings 20:5" mean?


This verse, 2 Kings 20:5, is a direct response from God to King Hezekiah's desperate prayer. Let's break down its meaning:

"Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people..." God is instructing the prophet Isaiah to return to Hezekiah with a message. "The prince of my people" emphasizes Hezekiah's role as a leader chosen by God.

"‘Yahweh, the God of David your father, says..." The message is being delivered with the full authority of God, emphasizing God's covenant with the Davidic lineage and Hezekiah's place within that covenant. This is not just any message; it's a divine decree from the God who has a history of faithfulness to the house of David.

"“I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears..." This is a powerful statement of God's attentiveness and compassion. It signifies that God is not distant or uncaring, but rather actively listens to and is moved by the prayers of his people. The tears are not just physical; they represent the depth of Hezekiah's anguish and repentance.

"Behold, I will heal you." This is the core of the message: a promise of divine healing. It's a direct and unambiguous declaration of God's intervention to restore Hezekiah's health. It's a demonstration of God's power over sickness and death.

"On the third day, you will go up to Yahweh’s house." This adds a specific timeframe to the healing and signifies a return to public worship. The fact that he will be able to go to the temple so soon after being deathly ill underscores the miraculous nature of the healing. It will be a public demonstration of God's power and faithfulness. This emphasizes a restoration to both physical health and spiritual well-being; he can resume his duties and worship in the temple.

In summary:

The verse is a message of hope and reassurance from God to Hezekiah. It emphasizes God's:

Attention to Prayer: God hears and sees the prayers of his people.
Compassion: God is moved by the suffering of his people.
Power to Heal: God is capable of miraculous healing.
Commitment to His Covenant: God remembers his promises to David's line.
Desire for Restoration: God wants to restore people to health and worship.

The verse served as a powerful encouragement to Hezekiah and a testament to the efficacy of prayer and the faithfulness of God. It also serves as an encouragement to believers today, reminding them that God hears their prayers, sees their tears, and has the power to heal and restore.

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