New International Version“The word of the LORD you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”
New Living TranslationThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the LORD is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.”
English Standard VersionThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”
Berean Standard BibleBut Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Will there not at least be peace and security in my lifetime?”
King James BibleThen said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?
New King James VersionSo Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?”
New American Standard BibleThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Is it not good, if there will be peace and security in my days?”
NASB 1995Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Is it not so, if there will be peace and truth in my days?”
NASB 1977Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Is it not so, if there shall be peace and truth in my days?”
Legacy Standard BibleThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of Yahweh which you have spoken is good.” For he said, “Will it not be good, if there will be peace and truth in my days?”
Amplified BibleThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Is it not good, if [at least] there will be peace and security in my lifetime?”
Christian Standard BibleThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good,” for he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security during my lifetime? ”
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good,” for he thought: Why not, if there will be peace and security during my lifetime?
American Standard VersionThen said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of Jehovah which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, Is it not so, if peace and truth shall be in my days?
Contemporary English VersionHezekiah thought, "At least our nation will be at peace for a while." So he told Isaiah, "The message you brought me from the LORD is good."
English Revised VersionThen said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, Is it not so, if peace and truth shall be in my days?
GOD'S WORD® TranslationHezekiah said to Isaiah, "The LORD's word that you have spoken is good." He added, "Isn't it enough if there is peace and security as long as I live?"
Good News TranslationKing Hezekiah understood this to mean that there would be peace and security during his lifetime, so he replied, "The message you have given me from the LORD is good."
International Standard VersionAt this, Hezekiah replied to Isaiah, "What you've spoken from the LORD is good," because he had been thinking, "Why not, as long as there's peace and security in my lifetime…?"
NET BibleHezekiah said to Isaiah, "The LORD's word which you have announced is appropriate." Then he added, "At least there will be peace and stability during my lifetime."
New Heart English BibleThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good." He said moreover, "Isn't it so, if peace and truth shall be in my days?"
Webster's Bible TranslationThen said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth shall be in my days? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Will there not at least be peace and security in my lifetime?”
World English BibleThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “Yahweh’s word which you have spoken is good.” He said moreover, “Isn’t it so, if peace and truth will be in my days?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Hezekiah says to Isaiah, “The word of YHWH that you have spoken [is] good”; and he says, “Why not, if there is peace and truth in my days?”
Young's Literal Translation And Hezekiah saith unto Isaiah, 'Good is the word of Jehovah that thou hast spoken;' and he saith, 'Is it not -- if peace and truth are in my days?'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Hezekiah will say to Isaiah, Good the word of Jehovah which thou spakest And he will say, Shall not peace and truth be in my days? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleEzechias said to Isaias: The word of the Lord, which thou hast spoken, is good: let peace and truth be in my days.
Catholic Public Domain VersionHezekiah said to Isaiah: “The word of the Lord, which you have spoken, is good. Let peace and truth be in my days.”
New American BibleHezekiah replied to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and stability in my lifetime.”
New Revised Standard VersionThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Hezekiah said to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which you have spoken. But would that peace and justice shall be in my day!
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Hezekiah said to Isaiah: “The answer of LORD JEHOVAH which you have spoken is good! But oh that there would be peace and truth in my days!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah: 'Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken.' He said moreover: 'Is it not so, if peace and truth shall be in my days?'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Ezekias said to Esaias, Good is the word of the Lord which he has spoken: only let there be peace in my days.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Hezekiah Shows His Treasures… 18And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 19But HezekiahsaidtoIsaiah,“The wordof the LORDthatyou have spokenis good.”For he thought,“Will there notat leastbepeaceand securityin my lifetime?”
Cross References Isaiah 39:8But Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “At least there will be peace and security in my lifetime.”
2 Kings 18:14-16So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. / Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. / At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold with which he had plated the doors and doorposts of the temple of the LORD, and he gave it to the king of Assyria.
2 Kings 21:1-2Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.
2 Chronicles 32:25-26But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. / Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart—he and the people of Jerusalem—so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.
2 Chronicles 32:31And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah’s heart.
Isaiah 38:17Surely for my own welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
Isaiah 38:5-6“Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. / And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.
Jeremiah 26:19Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD and seek His favor, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster He had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great harm on ourselves!”
2 Chronicles 34:27-28because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before Me and have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD. / ‘Now I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place and on its people.’” So they brought her answer back to the king.
1 Kings 21:27-29When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly. / Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: / “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity during his days, but I will bring it upon his house in the days of his son.”
1 Kings 11:11-13Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. / Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. / Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”
1 Samuel 3:18So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him. “He is the LORD,” replied Eli. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.”
1 Kings 2:33Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.”
1 Kings 14:13All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. For this is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will receive a proper burial, because only in him has the LORD, the God of Israel, found any good in the house of Jeroboam.
2 Chronicles 12:12Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the anger of the LORD turned away from him, and He did not destroy him completely. Indeed, conditions were good in Judah.
Treasury of Scripture Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which you have spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days? Good. Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, Thisis it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. 1 Samuel 3:18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, Itis the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. It is not good, etc. Esther 9:30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus,with words of peace and truth, Jeremiah 33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. Zechariah 8:19 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourthmonth, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. Jump to Previous GoodHezekiahHezeki'ahIsaiahLifetimeMoreoverPeaceRighteousnesssSecurityThoughtTimeTruthWordJump to Next GoodHezekiahHezeki'ahIsaiahLifetimeMoreoverPeaceRighteousnesssSecurityThoughtTimeTruthWord2 Kings 20 1.Hezekiah, having received a message of death, by prayer has his life lengthened.8.The sun goes ten degrees backward for a sign of that promise.12.Berodach-baladan sending to visit Hezekiah has notice of his treasures.14.Isaiah understanding thereof, foretells the Babylonian captivity.20.Manasseh succeeds Hezekiah.But Hezekiah said to Isaiah,Hezekiah, the king of Judah, is responding to the prophet Isaiah. This interaction occurs after Isaiah delivers a message from God regarding the future of Hezekiah's kingdom. Hezekiah's relationship with Isaiah is significant, as Isaiah was a major prophet during his reign, providing guidance and delivering God's messages. This reflects the biblical theme of kings seeking counsel from prophets, as seen with other kings like David and Nathan. “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.”
Hezekiah's response to Isaiah's prophecy is surprising, given that the message foretold future calamity for his descendants and kingdom. His acceptance of the word as "good" indicates a submission to God's will, a theme prevalent throughout scripture, such as inJob 1:21, where Job accepts God's sovereignty in both blessing and adversity. This phrase also highlights the importance of recognizing divine authority, even when the message is difficult. For he thought,
This phrase introduces Hezekiah's internal reasoning, providing insight into his mindset. It suggests a moment of introspection and personal reflection, which is a common biblical narrative device to reveal character motivations. This internal dialogue is crucial for understanding Hezekiah's priorities and concerns. “Will there not at least be peace and security in my lifetime?”
Hezekiah's concern for peace and security during his own reign reflects a common human desire for stability and safety. Historically, Hezekiah's reign was marked by significant challenges, including the Assyrian threat, which makes his desire for peace understandable. This phrase also reveals a potential shortcoming in Hezekiah's character, as he seems more concerned with his immediate circumstances than the long-term consequences for his descendants. This can be contrasted with biblical figures like Moses, who showed concern for future generations (Deuteronomy 31:7-8). Theologically, this highlights the tension between immediate comfort and long-term faithfulness, a recurring theme in scripture. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe King of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and reforms to restore proper worship. He is the central figure in this passage, responding to a prophecy about the future of his kingdom. 2. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament who served as God's messenger to Hezekiah. He delivered the prophecy concerning the future downfall of Judah and the Babylonian captivity. 3. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, over which Hezekiah reigned. This passage is set during a time of political and spiritual challenges for the nation. 4. BabylonThe rising power that would eventually conquer Judah and take its people into exile, as prophesied by Isaiah. 5. Prophecy of CaptivityThe event where Isaiah foretells the future Babylonian captivity of Judah, which Hezekiah accepts with a focus on his own lifetime. Teaching Points The Danger of Short-SightednessHezekiah's response highlights a tendency to focus on immediate comfort rather than long-term consequences. Believers are encouraged to consider the future impact of their actions and decisions. Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite the troubling prophecy, Hezekiah acknowledges the word of the LORD as good. This teaches us to trust in God's plans, even when they are difficult to understand. Intergenerational ResponsibilityHezekiah's acceptance of peace in his lifetime without concern for future generations challenges us to think beyond our own lives and invest in the spiritual and physical well-being of those who come after us. The Role of ProphecyThis passage illustrates the role of prophecy in the Bible as a tool for warning, guidance, and revealing God's plans. It encourages believers to heed prophetic messages and seek understanding. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 20
2 Kings 20:7: Why was a simple poultice of figs sufficient to cure a fatal illness if it was truly life-threatening?
2 Kings 20:9-11: How could the shadow on the sundial move backward without violating the laws of physics?
Why do Isaiah 37:33-35 and parallel biblical accounts (e.g., 2 Kings 19) differ in describing Sennacherib's retreat and the exact nature of the Assyrian defeat?
2 Kings 20:8: Is there an archaeological or historical record of Ahaz's sundial that corroborates this account?(19) Good is the word of the Lord. . .--Pious acquiescence in the will of God. (Comp. Eli's: "It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good." Comp, also a similar expression in 1Kings 2:38.) Is it not good, if peace. . .--This rendering appears to be right. Severe as is the prophetic word of judgment, it contains an element of mercy, in that Hezekiah himself is spared. The words are introduced byand he said, to indicate that they were spoken after a pause. Peace and truth.--Rather,peace and permanence (or,security, stability;Jeremiah 33:6). Ewald, Thenius, and Bahr render: "Yea, only may there be peace, &c, in my days." (Comp. the prayer of the church: "Give peace in our time, O Lord.") Verse 19. - Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. Hezekiah accepts the rebuke, thereby acknowledging himself to have been in the wrong, and submits without remonstrance to his punishment. "Good is the word of the Lord" - who "in his wrath has thought upon mercy." The king feels that God might, in justice, have visited him, in his own person, with some immediate affliction or calamity. It is a relief to hear that the blow will not fall during his lifetime. There may be a tinge of selfishness in his acquiescence, but it is not very pronounced, and does not call for any severe animadversion. The Old Testament saints were not faultless, and are not set before us as perfect patterns. There is one only "Ensample" given us whose steps we are to follow in all things. And he said - apparently after a pause, per-Imps turning to his courtiers, whose looks may have expressed astonishment at the words which he had just spoken - Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?i.e. Am I not right to acquiesce in the sentence and pronounce it "good," if it promises me "peace and truth," or "tranquility and steadfastness"? Ought I not to accept with thankfulness the immediate boon, instead of troubling myself about a remote future? The sentiment is not far removed from that of the well-known lines - "I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew But Hezekiahחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙(ḥiz·qî·yā·hū)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2396:Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelitessaidוַיֹּ֤אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, saytoאֶֽל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toIsaiah,יְשַֽׁעְיָ֔הוּ(yə·ša‘·yā·hū)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3470:Isaiah -- 'salvation of Yah', four Israelites“The wordדְּבַר־(də·ḇar-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causeof the LORDיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelthatאֲשֶׁ֣ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatyou have spokenדִּבַּ֑רְתָּ(dib·bar·tā)Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subdueis good.”ט֥וֹב(ṭō·wḇ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, goodFor he thought,וַיֹּ֕אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Will there notהֲל֛וֹא(hă·lō·w)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noat leastאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notbeיִהְיֶ֥ה(yih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bepeaceשָׁל֥וֹם(šā·lō·wm)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965:Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peaceand securityוֶאֱמֶ֖ת(we·’ĕ·meṯ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571:Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthinessin my lifetime?”בְיָמָֽי׃(ḇə·yā·māy)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3117:A day
Links 2 Kings 20:19 NIV2 Kings 20:19 NLT2 Kings 20:19 ESV2 Kings 20:19 NASB2 Kings 20:19 KJV
2 Kings 20:19 BibleApps.com2 Kings 20:19 Biblia Paralela2 Kings 20:19 Chinese Bible2 Kings 20:19 French Bible2 Kings 20:19 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Kings 20:19 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah Good (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
