King James Version
Isaiah 38:18 in the King James Version says “For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.”
Isaiah 38:18 · KJV
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.
The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
KJV Study — Public Domain
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“For the grave”
H7585hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
“cannot praise”
H3034physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
“thee death”
H4194death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
“can not celebrate”
H1984to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“cannot hope”
H7663to scrutinize; by implication (of watching) to expect (with hope and patience)
“thee they that go down”
H3381to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
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 38:18 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 38:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge