King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 20:7 Mean?

2 Kings 20:7 in the King James Version says “And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.”

2 Kings 20:7 · KJV

Context

5

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.

6

And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

7

And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

8

And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?

9

And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?

Read 2 Kings 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 20 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery) reflects the historical reality of genuine religious reform under Hezekiah, including trust in God that resulted in miraculous deliverance from Assyria. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 20 regarding god's mercy and human presumption?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 10

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְשַׁעְיָ֔הוּ2 of 10

“And Isaiah”

H3470

jeshajah, the name of seven israelites

וַיִּקְח֛וּ3 of 10

“And they took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

דְּבֶ֣לֶת4 of 10

“a lump”

H1690

a cake of pressed figs

תְּאֵנִ֑ים5 of 10

“of figs”

H8384

the fig (tree or fruit)

וַיִּקְח֛וּ6 of 10

“And they took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ7 of 10

“and laid”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עַֽל8 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַשְּׁחִ֖ין9 of 10

“it on the boil”

H7822

inflammation, i.e., an ulcer

וַיֶּֽחִי׃10 of 10

“and he recovered”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 20:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 20:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 38:212 Kings 2:20-222 Kings 4:41

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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