Bible Commentary

Isaiah 38:20

The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 38:20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The Lord was ready to save me; rather, came to my rescue; came and saved me. Therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments; rather, therefore will we play my stringed instruments. Hezekiah calls the stringed instruments his, because he had recalled their use, and re-established them as a part of the temple service after the suspension of that service by Ahaz (). His intention now is to take continual part with the Levites in

. Upon the boil. The term hero translated "boil" is used in Exodus () for the affliction which constituted the sixth plague, in Leviticus (Le ) for an ulcer accompanying one of the worst forms of leprosy, in Deuteronomy (, ) for "the botch of Egypt," and in Job () for the last of the visitations from which he suffered. It is not unlikely that it was of a leprous character.

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