New International VersionThen Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, “What did those men say, and where did they come from?” “From a distant land,” Hezekiah replied. “They came to me from Babylon.”
New Living TranslationThen Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did those men want? Where were they from?” Hezekiah replied, “They came from the distant land of Babylon.”
English Standard VersionThen 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 said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.”
Berean Standard BibleThen the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, “Where did those men come from, and what did they say to you?” “They came to me from a distant land,” Hezekiah replied, “from Babylon.”
King James BibleThen 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.
New King James VersionThen Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?” So Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a far country, from Babylon.”
New American Standard BibleThen Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a far country, from Babylon.”
NASB 1995Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where have they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.”
NASB 1977Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where have they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.”
Legacy Standard BibleThen Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where have they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.”
Amplified BibleThen Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and asked, “What did these men say? From where have they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a far country, from Babylon.”
Christian Standard BibleThen the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did these men say, and where did they come to you from? ” Hezekiah replied, “They came to me from a distant country, from Babylon.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and asked him, “Where did these men come from and what did they say to you?” Hezekiah replied, “They came to me from a distant country, from Babylon.”
American Standard VersionThen 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.
Contemporary English VersionI asked Hezekiah, "Where did these men come from? What did they want?" "They came all the way from Babylonia," Hezekiah answered.
English Revised VersionThen 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and asked, "What did these men say? And where did they come from?" Hezekiah answered, "They came to me from the distant country of Babylon."
Good News TranslationThen the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, "Where did these messengers come from and what did they say to you?" Hezekiah answered, "They came from a very distant country, from Babylonia."
International Standard VersionThen the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men have to say? And from where did they come to you?" Hezekiah replied, "From a distant land—they came to me from Babylon."
NET BibleIsaiah the prophet visited King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say? Where do they come from?" Hezekiah replied, "They come from the distant land of Babylon."
New Heart English BibleThen Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah, and asked him, "What did these men say? Where did they come from to you?" Hezekiah said, "They have come from a country far from me, even from Babylon."
Webster's Bible TranslationThen came Isaiah the prophet to king Hezekiah, and said to him, What said these men? and from whence came they to thee? and Hezekiah said, They have come to me from a far country, even from Babylon. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, “Where did those men come from, and what did they say to you?” “They came to me from a distant land,” Hezekiah replied, “from Babylon.”
World English BibleThen Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and asked him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come from a country far from me, even from Babylon.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Isaiah the prophet comes to King Hezekiah and says to him, “What did these men say? And from where do they come to you?” And Hezekiah says, “They have come to me from a far-off land—from Babylon.”
Young's Literal Translation And Isaiah the prophet cometh in unto king Hezekiah, and saith unto him, 'What said these men? and whence come they unto thee?' And Hezekiah saith, 'From a land afar off they have come unto me -- from Babylon.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Isaiah the prophet will come to king Hezekiah, and say to him, What said these men? and from whence will they come to thee? And Hezekiah will say, From a land far off came they to me, from Babel. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen Isaias the prophet came to king Ezechias, and said to him: What said these men, and from whence came they to thee? And Ezechias said: From a far country they came to me, from Babylon
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen Isaiah the prophet entered before king Hezekiah, and he said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a far away land, from Babylon.”
New American BibleThen Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did these men say to you? Where did they come from?” Hezekiah replied, “They came to me from a distant land, from Babylon.”
New Revised Standard VersionThen the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah answered, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him. What did these men say to you? And from whence did they come to you? And Hezekiah said, They have come from a far country to me, even from Babylon.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Eshaiya the Prophet came to Hezekiah the King and said to him: “What did these men say to you, and from where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said: “From the distant land of Babel they came to me” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then 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.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Esaias the prophet came to king Ezekias, and said to him, What say these men? and whence came they to thee? and Ezekias said, They are come to me from a land afar off, from Babylon.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Hezekiah Shows His Treasures… 2And Hezekiah welcomed the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his entire armory—all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. 3Then the prophetIsaiahwenttoKingHezekiahand asked,“Wheredid those mencome from,and whatdid they sayto you?”“They cameto mefroma distantland,”Hezekiahreplied,“from Babylon.”4“What have they seen in your palace?” Isaiah asked. “They have seen everything in my palace,” answered Hezekiah. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.”…
Cross References 2 Kings 20:12-19At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard about Hezekiah’s illness. / And Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his armory—all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. / Then the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, “Where did those men come from, and what did they say to you?” “They came from a distant land,” Hezekiah replied, “from Babylon.” ...
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 38:1-8In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” / Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, / saying, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. ...
Jeremiah 26:18-19“Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and told all the people of Judah that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.’ / Did 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 Kings 18:13-16In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. / So 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. ...
Isaiah 36:1-3In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. / And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stopped by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. / Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him.
Isaiah 37:1-7On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. / And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz / to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them. ...
Isaiah 7:3-9Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct that feeds the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field, / and say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood—over the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. / For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted your ruin, saying: ...
Isaiah 8:1-4Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary stylus: Maher-shalal-hash-baz. / And I will appoint for Myself trustworthy witnesses—Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah.” / And I had relations with the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. The LORD said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz. ...
Isaiah 30:1-5“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. ...
Matthew 2:1-12After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” / When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ...
Matthew 24:1-2As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings. / “Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
Luke 19:41-44As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...
John 12:43For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
Acts 12:20-23Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king’s country for food. / On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” ...
Treasury of Scripture Then came Isaiah the prophet to king Hezekiah, and said to him, What said these men? and from where came they to you? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country to me, even from Babylon. came Isaiah Isaiah 38:1,5 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live… 2 Samuel 12:1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 Kings 20:14,15 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,even from Babylon… they are Deuteronomy 28:49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth,as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; Joshua 9:6,9 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us… Jeremiah 5:15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: itis a mighty nation, itis an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. Jump to Previous AfarBabylonCountryDistantFarHezekiahHezeki'ahIsaiahProphetWhenceJump to Next AfarBabylonCountryDistantFarHezekiahHezeki'ahIsaiahProphetWhenceIsaiah 39 1.Merodach-baladan, sending to visit Hezekiah, has notice of his treasures.3.Isaiah, understanding thereof, foretells the Babylonian captivity.Then the prophet Isaiah went to King HezekiahIsaiah, a major prophet in the Old Testament, served during the reigns of several kings of Judah, including Hezekiah. His role was to convey God's messages, often involving warnings and guidance. Hezekiah was a king known for his faithfulness to God, but he also made mistakes, as seen in this chapter. This encounter follows Hezekiah's recovery from illness and his display of wealth to Babylonian envoys, which Isaiah will address. and asked, “Where did those men come from, and what did they say to you?”
Isaiah's questions are probing, indicating his awareness of the potential political and spiritual implications of Hezekiah's actions. The visit of the Babylonian envoys was significant, as Babylon was rising in power. Isaiah's inquiry suggests concern over Hezekiah's openness to foreign influence and the possible consequences for Judah. “They came to me from a distant land,” Hezekiah replied,
Hezekiah's response highlights the geographical distance of Babylon, emphasizing its foreign nature. This distance also symbolizes the potential threat and allure of foreign alliances. In the ancient Near East, such alliances were common but often led to spiritual compromise, as foreign nations worshiped other gods. “from Babylon.”
Babylon, at this time, was not yet the dominant empire it would become, but it was gaining influence. This mention foreshadows Babylon's future role in Judah's history, including the eventual Babylonian exile. The interaction with Babylon here is a precursor to the significant impact Babylon will have on the Jewish people, as prophesied by Isaiah and other prophets. This moment also serves as a type of Christ, as it points to the need for a faithful king who would not rely on foreign powers but on God alone, a role ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah served as a messenger of God, delivering His words to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. In this context, he is confronting King Hezekiah about his interactions with Babylonian envoys. 2. HezekiahThe King of Judah during this time, known for his faithfulness to God but also for his human weaknesses. Hezekiah's actions in this chapter reveal a moment of pride and lack of discernment. 3. BabylonA distant land and rising power during Hezekiah's reign. The visit of Babylonian envoys signifies the beginning of a relationship that would later lead to Judah's downfall. 4. Envoys from BabylonRepresentatives sent by the king of Babylon to Hezekiah, ostensibly to congratulate him on his recovery from illness, but with underlying political motives. 5. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, where these events take place. It is the spiritual and political center of the Jewish people. Teaching Points The Danger of PrideHezekiah's pride in showing off his wealth and treasures to the Babylonian envoys serves as a cautionary tale. Pride can lead to poor decisions and unintended consequences. Discernment in RelationshipsHezekiah's lack of discernment in dealing with the envoys highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom in our interactions and relationships, especially with those who may have hidden agendas. The Consequences of ActionsOur actions, even those that seem insignificant, can have far-reaching consequences. Hezekiah's decision to show his treasures led to future captivity for Judah. God's Sovereignty and Prophetic FulfillmentDespite human failings, God's plans and prophecies are fulfilled. Isaiah's prophecy about Babylonian captivity underscores God's control over history. Repentance and HumilityHezekiah's account encourages us to remain humble and repentant, recognizing our dependence on God and the need for His guidance in all aspects of life. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 39
If Hezekiah's faith in Isaiah 37 supposedly led to Jerusalem's deliverance, how does this align with other biblical passages where faith did not prevent disasters for Israel?
Isaiah 3:25-26: How do the predicted devastations align (or conflict) with known historical or archaeological data on warfare and destruction in ancient Judah?
Isaiah 39:2: How could Judah, a small kingdom, have accumulated such wealth and armaments to intrigue Babylon's interest?
Isaiah 39:5-7: Does Isaiah's prediction of Babylonian captivity conflict with other biblical prophecies or historical chronology?(3) Then came Isaiah . . .--The words that follow, like those in Isaiah 7:3, are spoken with the authority at once of age and of a Divine mission, perhaps also of a master speaking to one who had been his pupil. No sooner does the arrival of the embassy from Babylon reach his ear than he goes straight to the king to ask him what it all meant. The king's answer seems to plead that they came "from a far country" as an excuse. Could he refuse to admit those who had taken so long a journey in his honour? Could intercourse with a land so distant bring any moral or political danger? It was not like the alliance with Egypt, to which Isaiah was so strenuously opposed. Verse 3. - Then came Isaiah the prophet. Isaiah comes, unsent for, to rebuke the king (comp. 2 Samuel 12:1-12; 2 Samuel 24:11-14; 1 Kings 12:22-24; 1 Kings 13:2-5; 2 Chronicles 12:5-8; 2 Chronicles 16:7-9; 2 Chronicles 19:2, 3, etc.). This bold attitude was one which prophets were entitled to take by virtue of their office, which called upon them to bear testimony, even before kings, and to have no respect of persons. A similar fearlessness is apparent in Isaiah 7:1-17, where the king with whom Isaiah has to deal was the wicked Ahaz. What said these men? "These men" is contemptuous. The demand to know what they said is almost without parallel. Diplomacy, if it is to be successful, must be secret; and Isaiah can scarcely have been surprised that his searching question received no answer. But he was zealous of God's honour, and anxious that Hezekiah should rely on no "arm of flesh," whether it were Egypt or Babylon. Such dependence would straiten God's arm, and prevent him from giving the aid that he was otherwise prepared to give. The desire of the prophet is to warn the king of the danger which he runs by coquetting with human helpers. From whence came they? Isaiah does not ask this question for the sake of information, Doubtless all Jerusalem was agog to see the strange envoys "from a far country," who had now for the first time penetrated to the city of David. All knew whence they had come, and suspected why. Isaiah asks, to force the king to a confession, on which he may base a prophecy and a warning. And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country. Embassies from distant lands to their courts are made a con-slant subject of boasting by the Assyrian monarchs (see 'Records of the Past,' vol. 1. pp. 28, 68, 95; vol. 7. pp. 49, 51, etc.). Hezekiah, perhaps, is "lifted up" ( 2 Chronicles 32:25) by the honour paid him, and intends to impress Isaiah with a sense of his greatness - "The men are come all the way from Babylon to see me!"
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then the prophetהַנָּבִ֔יא(han·nā·ḇî)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030:A spokesman, speaker, prophetIsaiahיְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ(yə·ša‘·yā·hū)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3470:Isaiah -- 'salvation of Yah', four Israeliteswentוַיָּבֹא֙(way·yā·ḇō)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gotoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toKingהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingHezekiahחִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ(ḥiz·qî·yā·hū)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2396:Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelitesand asked,וַיֹּ֨אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“From whereוּמֵאַ֙יִן֙(ū·mê·’a·yin)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 370:Whence?did those [men]הָאֵ֗לֶּה(hā·’êl·leh)Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thosecome,יָבֹ֣אוּ(yā·ḇō·’ū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goand whatמָ֥ה(māh)Interrogative
Strong's 4100:What?, what!, indefinitely whatdid they sayאָמְר֣וּ ׀(’ā·mə·rū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 559:To utter, sayto you?”אֵלָ֜יו(’ê·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to“They cameבָּ֥אוּ(bā·’ū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goto meאֵלַ֖י(’ê·lay)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tofromאֵלֶ֔יךָ(’ê·le·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toa distantרְחוֹקָ֛ה(rə·ḥō·w·qāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7350:Remote, of place, time, preciousland,”מֵאֶ֧רֶץ(mê·’e·reṣ)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landHezekiahחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ(ḥiz·qî·yā·hū)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2396:Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelitesreplied,וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“from Babylon.”מִבָּבֶֽל׃(mib·bā·ḇel)Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894:Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 39:3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to king (Isa Isi Is) |
