What Does 2 Kings 20:2 Mean in the King James?

Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,

2 Kings 20:2 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Hebrew places prayer and judgment on one root, so Hezekiah’s prayer enters the crisis as an act of intervention.

THE MEANING

Your attention can turn before your words begin. Here, Hezekiah turns his face toward a wall while directing his prayer to the LORD; the wall remains in the scene as he speaks.

THE ROOT

וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל

wayyitpallel

GROWS FROM

פלל

p-l-l

To interpose or arbitrate; the root also carries the sense of judging.

The Hebrew verb translated “prayed” comes from the same root used for judging or intervening. Prayer here holds more than speech: it carries the sense of entering a matter on someone’s behalf.

ALSO GROWS

tefillah: Prayer

תְּפִלָּה

This noun shares the root of Hezekiah’s verb, linking his act to the Hebrew word for prayer itself.

pelilim: Judges

פְּלִילִים

This related form appears in Exodus 21:22, where a matter is brought before judges; it reveals the root’s connection to intervention and judgment.

THE PATTERN

Prayer takes shape through the body’s direction and posture as well as through words.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Daniel 6:10 · KJVDaniel’s prayer has a bodily posture and a chosen direction toward Jerusalem.

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Psalm 141:2 · KJVThe lifted hands give prayer a visible, embodied expression.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Luke 18:13 · KJVThe man’s lowered gaze and gesture accompany the words of his prayer.

THE THREAD

Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.

Psalm 106:30 · KJV

The Hebrew verb translated “prayed” here, ⁨וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל⁩ (wayyitpallel), and the verb behind “executed judgment,” ⁨וַיְפַלֵּל⁩ (wayfallel), share the root ⁨פלל⁩ (p-l-l). That shared root lets prayer appear as intervention within a crisis.

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