King James Version
Isaiah 38:16 in the King James Version says “O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.”
Isaiah 38:16 · KJV
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
What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
Behold, for peace I had great bitterness : but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. for peace: or, on my peace came great bitterness thou hast in: Heb. thou hast loved my soul from the pit
For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
KJV Study — Public Domain
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“by these things men live”
H2421to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“and in all these things is the life”
H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
“of my spirit”
H7307wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
“so wilt thou recover”
H2492properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream
“by these things men live”
H2421to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
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.
Isaiah 38:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Isaiah 38:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge