Contradictions and Paradoxes in Isaiah 38:2

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Isaiah 38:2 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Isaiah 38:2. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the prophet Isaiah, Hezekiah, a king who was very sick, turned to face the wall and prayed to God for help. He wanted to talk to God because he was feeling very scared and needed God's comfort and healing.

Isaiah 38:2: Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

Contradiction with Psalms 41:3

Describes God sustaining the sick on their sickbed, while Isaiah 38:2 describes Hezekiah turning his face to the wall to pray for healing.

Psalms 41:3: The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. [make: Heb. turn]

Contradiction with 2 Kings 20:5

God adds fifteen years to Hezekiah's life, contradicting the immediate end implied by turning to the wall in Isaiah 38:2.

2 Kings 20:5: Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.

Contradiction with Job 2:9

Job's wife tells him to curse God and die in his affliction, contrasting Hezekiah's act of prayer and seeking God's favor.

Job 2:9: Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Contradiction with 2 Corinthians 12:9

Paul is told by God that His grace is sufficient and not granted healing, in contrast to the implication of asking for life extension in Isaiah 38:2.

2 Corinthians 12:9: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paradox #1

The challenge in Isaiah 38:2 relates to different biblical accounts of the same event. In Isaiah 38:2 and 2 Kings 20:2, Hezekiah turns his face to the wall and prays, seemingly indicating privacy or deep distress. However, some interpretations or translations might slightly differ in describing the setting or Hezekiah's actions, leading to potential perceived inconsistency about specific details or emphasis in the storytelling. These differences can be attributed to variations in language, translation, or narrative focus. But overall, they are not contradictions in the fundamental event.

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