King James Version

What Does Isaiah 26:16 Mean?

Isaiah 26:16 in the King James Version says “LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. prayer: Heb. secret...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. prayer: Heb. secret speech”

Isaiah 26:16 · KJV

Prayer

Context

14

They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

15

Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth.

16

LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. prayer: Heb. secret speech

17

Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.

18

We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

Read Isaiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee (יְהוָה בַּצַּר פְּקָדוּךָ / YHWH batzar peqadukha)—The verb פָּקַד (paqad, "to visit, attend to") here means to seek God. The noun צַר (tzar, "trouble, distress, adversity") describes affliction that drives people to God. Human nature often ignores God during prosperity but cries out during crisis—a pattern throughout Scripture (Judges, Psalms, prophets).

They poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them (צָקוּ לַחַשׁ מוּסָרְךָ לָמוֹ / tzaqu lachash musareka lamo)—The verb צוּק (tzuq, "to pour out") suggests urgent, desperate prayer. לַחַשׁ (lachash) can mean "whisper" or "incantation," possibly indicating prayer so desperate it emerges as anguished whispers. מוּסָר (musar, "chastening, discipline") shows God's affliction as pedagogical, not merely punitive—suffering designed to produce repentance and dependence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah ministered during multiple crises: the Syro-Ephraimite War (735 BC), fall of northern Israel (722 BC), and Sennacherib's invasion (701 BC). Each crisis tested whether Judah would trust YHWH or political alliances. The pattern: when military threats loomed, the people briefly 'visited' God in prayer, yet often returned to idolatry once danger passed. Isaiah calls for enduring faithfulness, not crisis-driven religiosity. This anticipates Jeremiah's message during Babylonian siege—seek God in genuine repentance, not manipulative bargaining.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does trouble often drive us to prayer when prosperity doesn't? What does this reveal about our hearts?
  2. How can we cultivate faithful prayer during peaceful seasons, not just desperate prayers during crises?
  3. What's the difference between God's chastening (which aims at restoration) and His judgment (which aims at justice)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
יְהוָ֖ה1 of 7

“LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בַּצַּ֣ר2 of 7

“in trouble”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

פְּקָד֑וּךָ3 of 7

“have they visited”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

צָק֣וּן4 of 7

“thee they poured out”

H6694

to pour out, i.e., (figuratively) smelt, utter

לַ֔חַשׁ5 of 7

“a prayer”

H3908

properly, a whisper, i.e., by implication, (in a good sense) a private prayer, (in a bad one) an incantation; concretely, an amulet

מוּסָרְךָ֖6 of 7

“when thy chastening”

H4148

properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint

לָֽמוֹ׃7 of 7
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Isaiah 26:16 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 Isaiah 26:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 5:15Psalms 50:15Psalms 42:42 Chronicles 33:12-13Psalms 142:2Psalms 91:15

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