Isaiahchapter 39

8 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 77 cross-references outward and receives 48 — heaviest partner: 2 Chronicles.

Chapter summary

Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon, sends letters and a present after hearing that Hezekiah was sick and has recovered. Hezekiah gladly shows the envoys everything — the silver, gold, spices, precious oil, the armory, all his treasures; nothing in his house or dominion is withheld. Isaiah then questions the king: what said these men, whence came they, what have they seen? Hezekiah answers that they came from Babylon and saw all. Isaiah delivers the word of Jehovah of hosts: days are coming when everything in the house, stored up by the fathers until this day, will be carried to Babylon, nothing left, and sons issuing from Hezekiah will serve as eunuchs in the Babylonian palace. Hezekiah calls the word good, noting there will be peace and truth in his days. The chapter closes the Assyrian narrative and turns the book's horizon toward Babylon.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious oil, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.

3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.

4 Then said he, What have they seen in thy house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in my house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them.

5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of Jehovah of hosts:

6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in thy house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith Jehovah.

7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, whom thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

8 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of Jehovah which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

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