What Does Isaiah 38:22 Mean in the King James?

Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?

Isaiah 38:22 · 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

The verb for “go up” also names the offering that ascends, so the sign concerns a return to worship, not mere survival.

THE MEANING

You can survive a crisis and still need to know that the way back to worship is open. This verse gives that need direct language: the sign is assurance that you will rise again toward the LORD’s house.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This loosens the belief that survival alone means you are restored; the verse includes a renewed way to worship in the hope of healing.

THE ROOT

אֶעֱלֶה

ʾeʿeleh

GROWS FROM

עלה

ʿ-l-h

To rise, ascend, or go up.

The root of “go up” also names the offering that ascends. Hezekiah’s hoped-for return is more than leaving illness behind; it is an ascent back toward the LORD’s house.

ALSO GROWS

ʿolah: Burnt offering; literally, that which ascends.

עֹלָה

This branch gives the upward movement of “go up” a sacrificial echo, joining return to the LORD’s house with an offering that rises toward God.

ʿaliyyah: Ascent, rising, or an upper room.

עֲלִיָּה

The word keeps the emphasis on upward movement, illuminating the return to the LORD’s house as an ascent.

יְחִזְקִיָּהוּ

Yĕḥizqiyyāhû

GROWS FROM

חזק

ḥ-z-q

To be strong, strengthen, or make firm.

“Hezekiah” in this verse is Yĕḥizqiyyāhû. The name carries ⁨חזק⁩ (ḥ-z-q, strengthen) alongside YHWH: “YHWH strengthens.” That name sits beside a request for a sign that the ascent to the LORD’s house will be possible.

ALSO GROWS

ḥāzaq: To be strong or to strengthen.

חָזַק

This verb makes the strength embedded in Hezekiah’s name active, next to his request for assurance.

ḥāzāq: Strong or firm.

חָזָק

This adjective echoes the name’s root while the verse looks toward a return made possible by strength.

THE PATTERN

A sign makes a promise or divine action visible where assurance is needed.

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13 · KJVThe bow makes the covenant promise visible, giving assurance a form that can be seen.

And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

Exodus 3:12 · KJVThe promised sign joins assurance to a visible destination: serving God on the mountain.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

John 20:30 · KJVThe signs make Jesus’ actions visible to those who need a witness.

THE THREAD

And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;

Isaiah 38:7 · KJV

The same Hebrew word, ⁨אוֹת⁩ (ʾot, sign), appears in both verses. Here Hezekiah asks for a sign that he will go up to the LORD’s house; verse 7 gives the LORD’s promise a visible witness.

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