2 Kings 20:14

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.

Then came {H935} Isaiah {H3470} the prophet {H5030} unto king {H4428} Hezekiah {H2396}, and said {H559} unto him, What said {H559} these men {H582}? and from whence {H370} came {H935} they unto thee? And Hezekiah {H2396} said {H559}, They are come {H935} from a far {H7350} country {H776}, even from Babylon {H894}.

Then Yesha'yahu the prophet came to King Hizkiyahu and asked him, "What did these men say? Where did they come from?" Hizkiyahu answered, "They came from a distant country, Bavel."

Then the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, โ€œWhere did those men come from, and what did they say to you?โ€ โ€œThey came from a distant land,โ€ Hezekiah replied, โ€œfrom Babylon.โ€

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.

Commentary

Context

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Hezekiah's reign. Having just been miraculously healed by God and granted an extension of his life, Hezekiah received envoys from Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon, who sent letters and a present because he heard of Hezekiah's illness. Instead of giving glory to God for his recovery, Hezekiah foolishly showed these foreign dignitaries all his treasures, his armory, and everything in his palace (2 Kings 20:13). Prophet Isaiah, as God's messenger, arrives immediately after this display, questioning Hezekiah about the visitors and their purpose, setting the stage for a divine pronouncement of judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Scrutiny and Accountability: Isaiah's direct and probing questions ("What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?") highlight God's immediate awareness and concern over Hezekiah's actions. It underscores the principle that even kings are accountable to the divine will.
  • The Danger of Pride and Worldly Display: Hezekiah's eagerness to show off his wealth and military strength to the Babylonians, rather than focusing on God's recent deliverance, reveals a lapse in judgment and a reliance on earthly possessions. This act of pride would have severe consequences.
  • Foreshadowing of Future Judgment: Hezekiah's simple answer, "They are come from a far country, even from Babylon," is profoundly significant. Babylon, at this point, was not the dominant world power it would become. This seemingly innocuous detail sets the stage for Isaiah's subsequent prophecy of Judah's future exile to Babylon, where the very treasures shown would eventually be carried away.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "far country" (Hebrew: eretz merachลq) emphasizes the geographical and cultural distance of Babylon from Jerusalem. This distance makes the future threat and conquest by Babylon seem all the more improbable at this time, yet it underscores the prophetic nature of Isaiah's subsequent declaration. The very foreignness of these visitors, and Hezekiah's openness to them, becomes a symbol of the future vulnerability of Judah.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless principles:

  • Humility After Blessing: When God blesses us or delivers us from difficulty, our response should be one of humility and gratitude to Him, not self-aggrandizement or a display of our earthly achievements.
  • The Consequences of Our Actions: Even seemingly small or private acts of pride can have far-reaching, negative consequences, not only for ourselves but for future generations. Hezekiah's pride opened the door for a future national disaster.
  • Seeking Godly Counsel: Hezekiah, despite being a generally righteous king, made a critical error. The presence of a prophet like Isaiah highlights the importance of seeking and heeding divine wisdom and counsel, especially in moments of apparent success or vulnerability.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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;

  • 2 Chronicles 25:7

    But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD [is] not with Israel, [to wit, with] all the children of Ephraim.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:9

    And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:15

    Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

  • 2 Chronicles 25:16

    And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that [the king] said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

  • Joshua 9:6

    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.

  • Joshua 9:9

    And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
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