What Does Isaiah 39:1 Mean in the King James?
At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.
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 Hebrew for “recovered” shares its root with Hezekiah’s name, so his return to strength echoes the nature his name carries.
THE MEANING
Illness and strength remain in the same sentence: Hezekiah is vulnerable, then becoming firm again. His name, “YHWH strengthens,” echoes that return to strength, while the message and gift show that his recovery is known beyond him. The verse holds weakness and renewed strength together without making either the whole story.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A season of illness is not the whole truth about a person; the verse names the weakness, then names strength returning.
THE ROOT
וַיֶּחֱזָק
vayyeḥezaq
GROWS FROM
חזק
ḥazaq
Be strong, become firm, or strengthen.
The word translated “recovered” comes from the same root as Hezekiah’s name, חִזְקִיָּהוּ (ḥizqiyyahu), meaning “YHWH strengthens.” The report of his recovery echoes that name: he is not only past sickness but becoming strong again.
ALSO GROWS
ḥazaq: Strong or firm.
חָזָק
This shares the root behind “recovered,” showing the strength contained in that word.
ḥizzeq: Strengthen or make firm.
חִזֵּק
This is the causative form of the same root, bringing out the strengthening within the recovery.
ḥizqiyyahu: Hezekiah; YHWH strengthens.
חִזְקִיָּהוּ
His name carries the same root that describes his recovery.
THE PATTERN
Visible restoration carries news beyond the person who is restored.
Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.And all the people saw him walking and praising God:Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.THE THREAD
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Isaiah’s “recovered” is וַיֶּחֱזָק, from חזק, the same root behind “Be strong” here. The shared root lets recovery read as becoming firm again, while this verse names the LORD as the one who goes with you.
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