Isaiah 37:30
ESV
"And this shall be the sign for you: this year you shall eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs from that. Then in the third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.
NIV
"This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah: "This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
NASB
Then this shall be the sign for you: you will eat this year what grows of itself, in the second year what grows from the same, and in the third year sow, harvest, plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.
CSB
"‘This will be the sign for you: This year you will eat what grows on its own, and in the second year what grows from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
NLT
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Here is the proof that what I say is true: 'This year you will eat only what grows up by itself, and next year you will eat what springs up from that. But in the third year you will plant crops and harvest them; you will tend vineyards and eat their fruit.
KJV
And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.
NKJV
“This shall be a sign to you: You shall eat this year such as grows of itself, And the second year what springs from the same; Also in the third year sow and reap, Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.
What does Isaiah 37:30 mean?
Isaiah has finished a lyrical prophecy against Sennacherib (Isaiah 37:22–29), the Assyrian king who believed his domination over the world was his own doing. Rather, it was God's plan to use Assyria as a tool before turning His judgment against them (Isaiah 10:12–19). To comfort Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem, the Lord revealed that He will draw Sennacherib back where he came from like livestock with a hook through their nose.The rest of God's message is directed to Hezekiah and the people of Judah. After Sennacherib is gone, the normal cycle of planting, harvesting, and eating will return within three years. Assyrian invaders had disrupted the agricultural cycle which Judah relied on to feed its people. Either no planting was done because survivors were in hiding, or the Assyrians had intentionally ruined crops in their assault.
In the first year, the people will harvest and eat only the leftover plants that grew wild during the invasion. In the second year, seeds from that harvest will provide an intentional source of food. By the third year, normal agriculture will be back in full swing. This is a promise from the Lord to provide for His people, but also a sign. Israel needs to remember that Sennacherib's defeat and their survival are gifts from God.
