The Literary Logic and Meaning of Isaiah 38
Abstract
This article seeks to show that the final two verses of Isaiah 38 (vv. 21–22) are not out of place but purposely put in their present climactic position within the chapter. The failure to describe Hezekiah's healing means that the king's question of 38.22 is by no means redundant. As well, the removal or relocation of 38.21–22 would seriously disturb the literary structuring and plot relations of the chapter. The narrative of Isaiah 38 concerns more than just the survival of Hezekiah and the question of the continuation of the house of David. Hezekiah's malady is one that prevents participation in the festivities of the temple, and this king's chief concern is participation in the praise of God as King that is central to the cultus of the house of Yhwh.
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Arguing Against Death in Biblical Prayer
Yogev, J. (2026) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel17050553
- Authors
- Goswell, G.
- Affiliations
- Christ College, Clarence Street, Burwood NSW 2134, Australia
- Venue
- Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-12
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 165-186
- ISSN
- 0309-0892 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-6728
- OpenAlex
- W2045019009
- Cited by
- 3
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal for the Study of the Old Testament (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Biblical Studies and Interpretation
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Language, Linguistics, Cultural Analysis
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Classical Studies and Philology
- Keywords
- Hezekiah, literary structure, narrative plot, healing, House of David, temple festivals, praise of God, Hebrew Bible
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