King James Version

What Does Isaiah 38:12 Mean?

Isaiah 38:12 in the King James Version says “Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me. with: or, from the thrum

Isaiah 38:12 · KJV


Context

10

I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.

11

I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.

12

Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me. with: or, from the thrum

13

I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.

14

Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. undertake: or, ease me


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The metaphor "Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent" depicts life's fragility—tents easily fold and move. The weaving imagery "I have cut off like a weaver my life" shows life as a tapestry prematurely severed from the loom. "He will cut me off from the pining loom" uses divine passive—God controls life and death. The phrase "from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me" expresses how quickly death can come. These vivid metaphors emphasize life's brevity and divine sovereignty over its duration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Shepherds lived in temporary tents, easily packed and moved. Weaving was common domestic activity, making the metaphor accessible to all listeners.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do life's fragility and brevity teach us to number our days wisely?
  2. What does acknowledging God's sovereignty over life's duration mean for our daily living?
  3. How should awareness that each day is a gift affect our priorities and gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
דּוֹרִ֗י1 of 15

Mine age

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

נִסַּ֧ע2 of 15

is departed

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

וְנִגְלָ֛ה3 of 15

and is removed

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

מִנִּ֖י4 of 15
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

כְּאֹ֣הֶל5 of 15

tent

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

רֹעִ֑י6 of 15

from me as a shepherd's

H7473

pastoral; as noun, a shepherd

קִפַּ֨דְתִּי7 of 15

I have cut off

H7088

to contract, i.e., roll together

כָאֹרֵ֤ג8 of 15

like a weaver

H707

to plait or weave

חַיַּי֙9 of 15

my life

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

מִדַּלָּ֣ה10 of 15

with pining sickness

H1803

properly, something dangling, i.e., a loose thread or hair; figuratively, indigent

יְבַצְּעֵ֔נִי11 of 15

he will cut me off

H1214

to break off, i.e., (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop

מִיּ֥וֹם12 of 15

from day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עַד13 of 15
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

לַ֖יְלָה14 of 15

even to night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

תַּשְׁלִימֵֽנִי׃15 of 15

wilt thou make an end

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate


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 38:12 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 38:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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