King James Version

What Does Isaiah 38:3 Mean?

Isaiah 38:3 in the King James Version says “And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and hav... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. sore: Heb. with great weeping

Isaiah 38:3 · KJV


Context

1

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Set: Heb. Give charge concerning thy house

2

Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

3

And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. sore: Heb. with great weeping

4

Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,

5

Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hezekiah's prayer appeals to his covenant faithfulness and wholehearted devotion, not as merit earning salvation, but as evidence of genuine faith. The Hebrew 'perfect heart' (shalem) means complete or undivided loyalty, not sinless perfection. His 'sore weeping' demonstrates that mature faith includes honest emotional expression before God, not stoic denial of human frailty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Hezekiah's reforms (removing high places, breaking images, destroying the bronze serpent) and faithful tribute payment to God distinguished him from his predecessors. His 'walking before God' echoed the language of his ancestor David.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you bring your honest emotions to God in prayer, or try to sanitize them?
  2. What evidence of faithful 'walking before God' characterizes your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּאמַ֗ר1 of 19

And said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָנָּ֤ה2 of 19

I beseech

H577

oh now!

יְהוָה֙3 of 19

now O LORD

H3068

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

זְכָר4 of 19

Remember

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

נָ֞א5 of 19
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֵ֣ת6 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁ֧ר7 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי8 of 19

thee how I have walked

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְפָנֶ֗יךָ9 of 19

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בֶּֽאֱמֶת֙10 of 19

thee in truth

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

וּבְלֵ֣ב11 of 19

heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

שָׁלֵ֔ם12 of 19

and with a perfect

H8003

complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly

וְהַטּ֥וֹב13 of 19

that which is good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ14 of 19

in thy sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עָשִׂ֑יתִי15 of 19

and have done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ16 of 19

wept

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ17 of 19

And Hezekiah

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

בְּכִ֥י18 of 19
H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

גָדֽוֹל׃19 of 19

sore

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent


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 38:3 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 38:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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