Isaiah 38:21 - Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs, and lay it for a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover.”

Generated Verse: Isaiah 38:21

What does "Isaiah 38:21" mean?


Isaiah 38:21 is part of the story of King Hezekiah's illness and recovery. The verse you quoted is a specific instruction given to help him recover from a boil (or possibly a severe skin ulcer). Let's break it down:

"Now Isaiah had said..." This connects this verse to the prophet Isaiah, who was acting as a messenger from God. Isaiah had been instrumental in Hezekiah's earlier plea for healing.
"Let them take a cake of figs..." This refers to a compacted mass of dried figs. Figs were readily available and often used in ancient remedies.
"...and lay it for a poultice on the boil..." A poultice is a soft, moist mass of material (in this case, figs) applied to the skin to relieve inflammation or pain. The boil or ulcer was likely painful, inflamed, and possibly infected.
"...and he shall recover." This is the crucial part – the promise of healing. It suggests that this application of figs would contribute to Hezekiah's recovery.

Interpretation

The verse means that as a practical and symbolic act of faith, Isaiah instructed that a fig poultice be applied to Hezekiah's boil to promote healing, with the expectation that it would play a role in his recovery.

Symbolic Importance:

The use of figs could have had some symbolic significance. While figs were a common food and medicine, some suggest they could represent fertility, healing, or even a symbol of God's bounty.

In summary, Isaiah 38:21 describes a specific remedy prescribed by the prophet Isaiah for King Hezekiah's boil. It highlights the blend of divine intervention and practical actions in the healing process. The use of a fig poultice demonstrates the common use of natural remedies in ancient times and suggests a combination of faith and practical treatment for illness.

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