Babylonian Envoys and the Announcement of Exile
Isaiah 39:1-8
Isa.39.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מרדך: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בלאדן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלאדן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ספרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומנחה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- חזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויחזק: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:12-19 (quotation): Direct parallel narrative: Merodach‑Baladan sends envoys and gifts to Hezekiah after hearing of his recovery; includes Hezekiah's showing of treasures and Isaiah's ensuing prophecy.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (quotation): Parallel account that records Merodach‑Baladan's embassy to Hezekiah following his illness and recovery, summarizing the same episode.
- Isaiah 38:1-8 (thematic): Background context: the report of Hezekiah's severe illness, the prophet's message of recovery, and the sign that precedes the Babylonian envoys' visit.
- Isaiah 39:5-7 (structural): Immediate consequence within the chapter: because Hezekiah welcomed Babylonian envoys and revealed his wealth, Isaiah prophesies the future exile to Babylon.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that time Merodach‑baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he had heard that he was ill and had recovered.
- At that time Merodach‑Baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he had heard that he had been sick and had recovered.
Isa.39.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמח: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- חזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויראם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נכתו: NOUN,m,sg,cstr,poss:3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הזהב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הבשמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- השמן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הטוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נמצא: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- באצרתיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- הראם: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg,obj:3,m,pl
- חזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בביתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- ממשלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:12-13 (verbal): Near-identical narrative: Merodach‑baladan sends envoys to Hezekiah, and Hezekiah shows them all his house and treasures—direct parallel to Isaiah 39:2.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (structural): Chronicles retelling of the episode: Hezekiah shows the envoys the house of his treasures; adds that God 'left him' to test him—parallel account with theological comment.
- Isaiah 39:5-7 (thematic): Immediate prophetic response in Isaiah: because Hezekiah showed his treasures, a future Babylonian exile is predicted in which palace goods and descendants will be carried off.
- 2 Kings 25:13-17 (thematic): Later historical fulfillment: Nebuchadnezzar's forces remove the king's and temple's valuable vessels to Babylon—echoes the consequence foreshadowed by Hezekiah's revealing of his treasures.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hezekiah was glad because of them, and showed them the house of his treasures—the silver and the gold, the spices and the choice oil, and all his armory and all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.
- Hezekiah welcomed them and showed them his house—his silver and his gold, the spices, the choice oil, and all his house and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
Isa.39.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- חזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ומאין: CONJ+ADV,whence
- יבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רחוקה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מבבל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:12-19 (structural): Parallel narrative of the same episode: Hezekiah welcomes envoys from Babylon and shows them his treasures; the account and Isaiah’s subsequent prophetic response are retold with similar details.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (structural): Chronicles’ retelling of the Hezekiah–Babylonian envoys incident and the prophetic consequence; parallels both the visit and the divine judgment announced after Hezekiah’s display.
- Isaiah 39:5-7 (quotation): Immediate continuation of the episode in Isaiah: Isaiah’s prophecy to Hezekiah that some of his descendants will be taken to Babylon—direct theological and narrative follow-up to the envoys’ visit.
- Jeremiah 27:6 (thematic): Thematic parallel concerning Judah’s subjection to Babylonian rule: Jeremiah declares that the nations, including Judah, will become servants to Nebuchadnezzar—echoing the consequence implicit in Isaiah’s encounter with Babylonian envoys.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah replied, “They came to me from a far land— from Babylon.”
- Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah answered, “They came to me from a far country—from Babylon.”
Isa.39.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- בביתך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בביתי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,sg
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- הראיתים: VERB,hiphil,perf,2,m,pl
- באוצרתי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cs+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:13 (verbal): Direct parallel narrative: Hezekiah shows the Babylonian envoys all that was in his house, matching the report in Isaiah 39:4.
- 2 Kings 20:14-19 (quotation): Records Isaiah’s prophetic response to Hezekiah after the envoys saw his treasures (the prediction of Babylonian exile), the immediate narrative sequel to Isaiah 39:4.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (verbal): Another retelling of the same episode: Hezekiah’s display to Babylonian envoys and the ensuing divine response, closely paralleling Isaiah 39:4.
- Isaiah 39:5-7 (structural): Immediate literary continuation in Isaiah: the prophet’s oracle about the future consequences of showing Judah’s treasures to foreigners, directly linked to the action described in v.4.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, “What did they see in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They saw all that is in my house; there was nothing in my treasuries that I did not show them.”
- And he said, “What did they see in your house?” Hezekiah said, “They saw all that is in my house; there was nothing in my treasuries that I did not show them.”
Isa.39.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- חזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 38:4 (verbal): Same prophet addressing Hezekiah with a divine formula (“Thus says the LORD”), closely parallel in speaker, addressee and prophetic function — both introduce a word from the LORD to Hezekiah.
- 2 Kings 20:5 (quotation): Parallel narrative in Kings where Isaiah brings God’s word to Hezekiah (“Thus saith the LORD…”); reflects the same prophetic proclamation and preserves the message-delivery role of Isaiah.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (thematic): Chronicles’ account of Hezekiah showing his treasures to Babylonian envoys and God’s ensuing verdict parallels the episode introduced by Isaiah’s command to “Hear the word of the LORD of hosts” in Isa 39.
- Jeremiah 1:4 (structural): Example of the common prophetic formula “the word of the LORD came” — a structural parallel showing the standard way prophets receive/announce divine communications, comparable to Isaiah’s introductory command to hear God’s word.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of hosts.
- Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of hosts.”
Isa.39.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- באים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- ונשא: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בביתך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- אצרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:2,m
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יותר: ADV
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:17-18 (quotation): Parallel prophecy recorded in Kings: Isaiah tells Hezekiah the days will come when all that is in his house and what his fathers have stored will be carried to Babylon; language and address are essentially the same.
- 2 Kings 25:13-17 (verbal): Narrative account of Jerusalem’s fall: Babylonian soldiers plunder the king’s house and the temple, carrying off treasures—concrete fulfillment of the prediction that household goods would be taken to Babylon.
- Jeremiah 52:17-23 (verbal): Catalog of temple vessels and treasures carried away to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar; directly corresponds to Isaiah’s announcement that valuables from the house will be removed to Babylon.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17-21 (thematic): Summary of Judah’s punishment and exile: people and temple vessels are delivered into Babylonian hands and taken away, echoing Isaiah’s theme that nothing of the house’s wealth will remain.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, days are coming when all that is in your house and that which your fathers have gathered until this day shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the LORD.
- “Behold, days are coming when all that is in your house and that which your fathers have stored up until this day shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the LORD.
Isa.39.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ומבניך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תוליד: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- יקחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- סריסים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בהיכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:18 (quotation): Direct parallel/quotation of Isaiah 39:7 in the Deuteronomistic history: the same prophecy that Hezekiah’s descendants would be taken and become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (thematic): Chronicles comments on Hezekiah’s reaction to the Babylonian envoys and the resulting divine displeasure—thematising the judgment on his house that Isaiah articulates (sons taken to Babylon).
- Daniel 1:3–6 (thematic): Narrative of young Judean nobles taken to Babylon to serve in the king’s court (trained for palace service); parallels the motif of royal/elite youths removed to Babylonian palace service.
- 2 Kings 25:7 (thematic): Account of the fate of Zedekiah’s sons and Zedekiah’s blinding by the Babylonians—echoes the broader theme of Judah’s royal family suffering at Babylon’s hands and underscores the catastrophic consequences prophesied in Isaiah 39:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- And some of your own sons, whom you will beget, they will take away, and they will make them eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
- And of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you will beget, they will take, and they will make them eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Isa.39.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אל: NEG
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
Parallels
- 2 Kings 20:16-19 (structural): Parallel account of the same episode: Isaiah's prophecy about Babylon's future seizure of Jerusalem's treasures and offspring appears in 2 Kings with the same outcome and Hezekiah's response contextually linked.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (thematic): Chronicler's note links Hezekiah's pride and subsequent visit from Babylon to the same events Isaiah predicts, highlighting the moral and historical consequences of Hezekiah's complacent attitude.
- Luke 12:16-21 (thematic): Jesus' parable of the rich fool who presumes on future years and 'takes his ease' echoes Hezekiah's rejoinder ('there will be peace in my days'), both illustrating short-sighted self-assurance about the future.
- Proverbs 27:1 (thematic): Warns against boasting about tomorrow ('Boast not thyself of to morrow'), resonating with Hezekiah's complacent assurance that there will be peace and truth in his days despite prophetic warnings of future calamity.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “Good is the word of the LORD that you have spoken.” For he thought, “Indeed, there will be peace and truth in my days.”
- Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “Good is the word of the LORD that you have spoken.” For he said, “There will be peace and truth in my days.”
At that time Merodach‑baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick and had recovered.
Hezekiah welcomed them and showed them all that was in his house—his silver and his gold, the spices and the fine oil, his armory and all his utensils, and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah replied, “They came to me from a far country, from Babylon.” And Isaiah said, “What did they see in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They saw all that is in my house; there was nothing in my treasuries that I did not show them.”
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of hosts.
Behold, days are coming when all that is in your house and that which your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the LORD.
They will take some of your sons, those who issue from you—those whom you will beget—and they will make them eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “Good is the word of the LORD that you have spoken.” For he said, “There will be peace and truth in my days.”