Isaiah 38:2
New International Version
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

New Living Translation
When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

English Standard Version
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

Berean Standard Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

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

New King James Version
Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD,

New American Standard Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

NASB 1995
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

NASB 1977
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD,

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh

Amplified Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

Christian Standard Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.

American Standard Version
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah,

Contemporary English Version
Hezekiah turned toward the wall and prayed,

English Revised Version
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hezekiah turned to the wall and prayed to the LORD.

Good News Translation
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed:

International Standard Version
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.

NET Bible
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

New Heart English Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Hezekiah turned his face towards the wall, and prayed to the LORD,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

World English Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Hezekiah turns around his face to the wall, and prays to YHWH,

Young's Literal Translation
And Hezekiah turneth round his face unto the wall, and prayeth unto Jehovah,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Hezekiah will turn his face to the wall and pray to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Ezechias turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and he prayed to the Lord.

New American Bible
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD:

New Revised Standard Version
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and Hezekiah prayed before LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Ezekias turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery
1In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’ ” 2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3saying, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.…

Cross References
2 Kings 20:2
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying,

2 Chronicles 32:24
In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a sign.

Psalm 30:2
O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.

Psalm 6:2-4
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony. / My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long? / Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; save me because of Your loving devotion.

Psalm 116:1-4
I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy. / Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. / The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow. ...

Psalm 118:17-18
I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done. / The LORD disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.

Psalm 102:1-2
A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You. / Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call.

Psalm 103:3-4
He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, / who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,

Psalm 107:19-20
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. / He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.

James 5:13-15
Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. / Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. / And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

Matthew 9:18
While Jesus was saying these things, a synagogue leader came and knelt before Him. “My daughter has just died,” he said. “But come and place Your hand on her, and she will live.”

Mark 5:23
and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”

Luke 8:41
Just then a synagogue leader named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He begged Him to come to his house,

John 11:3-4
So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one You love is sick.” / When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Acts 9:40
Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.


Treasury of Scripture

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

turned.

1 Kings 8:30
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalm 91:15
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

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Isaiah 38
1. Hezekiah, having received a message of death, by prayer has his life lengthened
8. The sun goes ten degrees backward, for a sign of that promise
9. His song of thanksgiving.














Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall
Hezekiah's action of turning his face to the wall signifies a personal and intimate moment of prayer, seeking privacy and focus away from distractions. In the cultural context of ancient Near Eastern practices, turning to the wall could symbolize turning away from the world and towards God. This act reflects a deep sense of urgency and desperation, as Hezekiah was facing a terminal illness. The wall may also represent a boundary, indicating Hezekiah's desire to separate himself from his current circumstances and seek divine intervention.

and prayed to the LORD
Hezekiah's prayer to the LORD demonstrates his faith and reliance on God during a time of crisis. This moment is significant as it shows Hezekiah's understanding of the LORD as the ultimate source of help and healing. The act of prayer is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of communication with God. Hezekiah's prayer is a model of earnest supplication, reflecting the biblical principle that God hears and responds to the prayers of the righteous (James 5:16). This event is also connected to other instances where prayer led to divine intervention, such as Elijah's prayer for rain (1 Kings 18:42-45) and Daniel's prayer for understanding (Daniel 9:3-23).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the temple. He is the central figure in this passage, demonstrating a personal and earnest prayer life.

2. The Wall
Represents a private and intimate setting where Hezekiah turns away from distractions to focus solely on God in prayer. This act signifies a deep, personal plea to the Lord.

3. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, to whom Hezekiah directs his prayer. This highlights the personal relationship between Hezekiah and God.

4. Isaiah the Prophet
Although not mentioned in this specific verse, Isaiah plays a crucial role in the surrounding account as the messenger of God's word to Hezekiah.

5. Jerusalem
The city where these events take place, serving as the political and spiritual center of Judah during Hezekiah's reign.
Teaching Points
The Power of Personal Prayer
Hezekiah's act of turning to the wall signifies a moment of personal and undistracted communication with God. Believers are encouraged to find their own "wall" or quiet place to seek God earnestly.

Faith in Times of Crisis
Hezekiah's immediate response to his dire situation was to pray. This teaches us to turn to God first in our times of need, trusting in His power and sovereignty.

God's Response to Sincere Prayer
The account shows that God hears and responds to sincere prayers. This encourages believers to pray with faith and expectancy.

The Importance of a Relationship with God
Hezekiah's prayer life reflects a deep relationship with God, reminding us of the importance of cultivating a personal and ongoing relationship with the Lord.

Seeking God's Will
While Hezekiah prayed for healing, his ultimate trust was in God's will. This teaches us to submit our desires to God's greater plan.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 38:2?

2. How does Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah 38:2 demonstrate faith in God's power?

3. What can we learn from Hezekiah's response to illness in Isaiah 38:2?

4. How does Isaiah 38:2 connect to James 5:16 about prayer's effectiveness?

5. How can we apply Hezekiah's example of turning to God in crisis today?

6. What does Hezekiah's action in Isaiah 38:2 teach about humility before God?

7. Why did Hezekiah turn his face to the wall in Isaiah 38:2?

8. What does Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah 38:2 reveal about his faith?

9. How does Isaiah 38:2 reflect the cultural practices of ancient Judah?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 38?

11. How can Isaiah 38’s account of God extending Hezekiah’s life align with other biblical teachings on divine decrees?

12. 2 Kings 20:7: Why was a simple poultice of figs sufficient to cure a fatal illness if it was truly life-threatening?

13. 2 Kings 20:9-11: How could the shadow on the sundial move backward without violating the laws of physics?

14. Could the sign in Isaiah 38:7-8 be metaphorical rather than an actual astronomical phenomenon?
What Does Isaiah 38:2 Mean
then

- The word “Then” ties Isaiah 38:2 directly to Isaiah 38:1, where the prophet declares, “Set your house in order, for you are about to die” (compare 2 Kings 20:1).

- Scripture often uses “then” to show an immediate, faith-filled response in crisis (see Acts 12:5; Jonah 2:1).

- In this moment, no delay separates the bad news from Hezekiah’s action; faith moves swiftly when the need is urgent.


Hezekiah

- A king noted for trusting God (2 Chronicles 32:7–8) now faces a terminal illness. His reputation for devotion (2 Kings 18:5–6) is tested.

- Leaders are not exempt from suffering; their trials model how the faithful should respond (James 5:10–11).

- By naming Hezekiah, the text grounds the episode in real history—this is not a parable but a factual account.


turned his face to the wall

- The king physically shifts position, choosing privacy over palace protocol. This mirrors Elisha’s posture over the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:33–34), highlighting earnest, undistracted petition.

- Turning away from people and toward the wall pictures turning from every earthly help toward God alone (Psalm 146:3).

- His sickbed becomes a sanctuary; geography cannot hinder communion with the Almighty (Psalm 139:7–10).


and prayed

- Prayer is the reflex of a heart that knows God personally (Psalm 62:8).

- Hezekiah does not appeal to physicians first, though they had their place (see Isaiah 1:6 for medical imagery); he appeals to the Great Physician (Exodus 15:26).

- His prayer is recorded in Isaiah 38:3–5 and 2 Kings 20:2–3, revealing transparency, remembered faithfulness, and tears—elements God welcomes (Psalm 56:8).


to the LORD

- The covenant name YHWH emphasizes relationship: Hezekiah speaks to the God who bound Himself to Israel (Exodus 3:15).

- Direct address contrasts pagan practices of consulting idols or intermediaries (Isaiah 44:17).

- The Lord is both willing and able to intervene; moments later He sends Isaiah back with healing and a fifteen-year extension (Isaiah 38:5; 2 Kings 20:5–6).


summary

Isaiah 38:2 shows a faithful king responding instantly to dire news. Faced with death, Hezekiah turns away from human help, seeks privacy, and pours out his heart to the covenant-keeping LORD. His simple, sincere action models how believers today can meet crisis: move quickly to prayer, focus wholly on God, and trust His sovereign power to heal or to sustain.

(2) Turned his face toward the wall . . .--The royal couch was in the corner, as the Eastern place of honour, the face turned to it, as seeking privacy and avoiding the gaze of men. (Comp. Ahab in 1Kings 21:4.)

Verse 2. - Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall. The action resembles that of Ahab (1 Kings 21:4); but the spirit is wholly different. Ahab turned away in sullenness, Hezekiah that he might pray undisturbed Beds seem to have been placed in the corners of rooms, with the head against one wall of the room, and one side against another.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Hezekiah
חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ (ḥiz·qî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2396: Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelites

turned
וַיַּסֵּ֧ב (way·yas·sêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

his face
פָּנָ֖יו (pā·nāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the wall
הַקִּ֑יר (haq·qîr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7023: A wall

and prayed
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל (way·yiṯ·pal·lêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD,
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 38:2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 38:1
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