2 Kings 20:17

KJV

Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, the days {H3117} come {H935}, that all that is in thine house {H1004}, and that which thy fathers {H1} have laid up in store {H686} unto this day {H3117}, shall be carried {H5375} into Babylon {H894}: nothing {H1697} shall be left {H3498}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'The day will come when everything in your palace, along with everything your ancestors stored up until today, will be carried off to Bavel. Nothing will be left,' says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 20:17 presents a solemn prophecy delivered by Isaiah to King Hezekiah, foretelling the complete plundering of Judah's royal treasures and the future deportation of its inhabitants to Babylon. This divine pronouncement serves as a direct consequence of Hezekiah's prideful display of his wealth and armories to Babylonian envoys, revealing God's sovereign judgment and the inevitable fulfillment of His word, even against a generally righteous king who momentarily faltered in his trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This prophecy is situated immediately after King Hezekiah's miraculous recovery from a terminal illness, during which God extended his life by fifteen years and provided the sign of the sun's shadow moving backward on the sundial ([2 Kings 20:6](/2_kings/20-6 "2 Kings 20:6 - God Adds Years to Hezekiah's Life")). Following this divine intervention, envoys from Babylon, led by Merodach-baladan, arrived, ostensibly to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery. In a moment of profound misjudgment, perhaps fueled by pride or a desire to showcase his kingdom's strength for a potential alliance against Assyria, Hezekiah revealed all his royal treasures, armories, and possessions to these foreign delegates ([2 Kings 20:13](/2_kings/20-13 "2 Kings 20:13 - Hezekiah Shows His Treasures")). The prophet Isaiah then confronts Hezekiah about this unwise display, leading directly to the pronouncement of judgment found in this verse and the subsequent prophecy concerning his descendants ([2 Kings 20:18](/2_kings/20-18 "2 Kings 20:18 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Exile for Hezekiah's Descendants")). The narrative highlights a stark contrast between God's grace in healing Hezekiah and the king's subsequent failure in humility and trust.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hezekiah reigned over Judah during a tumultuous period (c. 715-686 BC), marked by the formidable power of the Assyrian Empire, which had already conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Judah, though often a vassal, maintained a precarious independence. Babylon, at this time, was a rising power, frequently challenging Assyrian hegemony. Merodach-baladan, the Babylonian king, was known for his anti-Assyrian stance and likely sought alliances. Culturally, displaying wealth to foreign dignitaries could be seen as a show of strength, a means of impressing potential allies, or even a boast. However, from a theological perspective, it represented a reliance on human resources and a trust in worldly power rather than absolute dependence on the Lord, especially after such a direct experience of divine intervention. The act was a breach of wisdom and a demonstration of pride, setting the stage for the fulfillment of God's word through the very nation Hezekiah sought to impress.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Kings and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** as a consequence of human pride and disobedience, even for a king generally depicted as righteous. Hezekiah's actions, despite his earlier faithfulness, demonstrate that no one is exempt from accountability before God, and that trust in worldly power is a dangerous deviation. Furthermore, the verse serves as a crucial **Foretelling of the Babylonian Exile**, marking one of the earliest and clearest prophecies of this pivotal event that would profoundly shape Israelite identity and theology for centuries to come. This prophecy, also found in the parallel account of [Isaiah 39:6](/isaiah/39-6 "Isaiah 39:6 - Prophecy of Babylonian Exile"), solidifies God's **Sovereignty over History and Nations**, revealing His ability to orchestrate the rise and fall of empires to accomplish His divine purposes, using even a rising power like Babylon as an instrument of His will. The specific mention of "Babylon" makes this a remarkably precise and impactful prophecy, demonstrating that God's word is certain and will be fulfilled regardless of human intentions or political maneuvering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Behold, the days come (Hebrew, _hinneh yamim ba'im_):** This is a classic prophetic formula, frequently used in the Old Testament (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:32](/jeremiah/7-32 "Jeremiah 7:32 - Valley of Slaughter Prophecy"), [Amos 8:11](/amos/8-11 "Amos 8:11 - Famine of God's Word")). It serves to introduce a future event with absolute certainty and divine decree. The phrase emphasizes the inevitability and solemnity of the pronouncement, signaling that what follows is not a mere possibility but a divinely ordained and unalterable future. It demands the listener's immediate attention and underscores the gravity of the impending judgment.
* **Babylon (Hebrew, _Bavel_):** At the time of Hezekiah's reign, Babylon was a nascent power, still largely under Assyrian dominance. The specific naming of Babylon as the future oppressor, rather than a generic enemy, is highly significant. It highlights the precision of divine prophecy and foreshadows Babylon's eventual rise to become the dominant Mesopotamian power that would indeed conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem, and carry its inhabitants into exile. The very nation Hezekiah sought to impress and perhaps align with would become the instrument of God's judgment.
* **nothing shall be left (Hebrew, _lo yivvater davar_):** This phrase conveys the totality and comprehensiveness of the impending desolation. It signifies that the plundering will be absolute, leaving no remnant of the accumulated wealth. This reinforces the severity of the judgment and the complete reversal of Hezekiah's prideful display. The declaration underscores the absolute nature of God's word and the thoroughness of His disciplinary action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, the days come":** This opening phrase serves as a prophetic alarm, drawing immediate attention to a future event that is not merely possible but certain and divinely determined. It sets a solemn tone for the judgment to follow, emphasizing its inevitability.
* **"that all that [is] in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day":** This clause specifies the scope of the coming judgment. "Thine house" refers to Hezekiah's personal palace and royal treasury, while "that which thy fathers have laid up" includes the accumulated wealth of previous Judean kings. This highlights that the plundering will be comprehensive, encompassing not only Hezekiah's own possessions but also the historical legacy and accumulated riches of the kingdom, signifying a complete stripping of Judah's material glory and security.
* **"shall be carried into Babylon":** This identifies the specific agent and destination of the judgment. The wealth will not merely be lost or destroyed but will be forcibly removed and transported to Babylon. This is a direct and precise prophecy of the Babylonian captivity, where the nation's treasures and people would be exiled, fulfilling God's word through a foreign power.
* **"nothing shall be left, saith the LORD":** This concluding declaration, attributed directly to "the LORD," underscores the absolute and final nature of the judgment. It reiterates the totality of the despoliation – no treasure, no accumulated wealth will remain. The divine authorship ("saith the LORD") emphasizes the unchallengeable authority and certainty of the prophecy, leaving no room for doubt about its fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Prophecy** is the most prominent, as Isaiah delivers a direct foretelling of future events, specifically the Babylonian exile. This demonstrates God's omniscience and His active involvement in human history. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as Hezekiah's prideful display of wealth directly foreshadows the very plundering that will occur, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between human sin and divine consequence. There is a strong element of **Irony** in the fact that the nation Hezekiah sought to impress and potentially ally with would become the instrument of Judah's desolation. His attempt to showcase strength ultimately reveals vulnerability and leads to the very outcome he might have hoped to avoid. Finally, the concluding phrase, "**saith the LORD**," is a powerful example of **Divine Speech**, lending absolute authority and certainty to the pronouncement, emphasizing that these are not mere human predictions but the immutable word of God Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prophecy in 2 Kings 20:17 serves as a profound theological statement on the consequences of pride and misplaced trust, even for those who generally walk in righteousness. It underscores that God's standards are absolute and that reliance on worldly resources or human alliances, rather than complete dependence on Him, invites divine discipline. This verse also highlights God's sovereign control over the nations and His use of them as instruments of His will, demonstrating that even a rising empire like Babylon is ultimately subject to His divine plan. The precision of the prophecy, delivered decades before its fulfillment, reinforces the reliability and certainty of God's word, assuring believers that His promises and warnings will inevitably come to pass.

* [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity"): This verse directly confirms the seventy-year period of Babylonian captivity, fulfilling Isaiah's earlier prophecy to Hezekiah.
* [Daniel 1:1-2](/daniel/1-1 "Daniel 1:1-2 - Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem"): These verses describe the actual fulfillment of the prophecy, with Nebuchadnezzar carrying off the vessels of the house of God to Babylon, marking the beginning of the exile.
* [2 Chronicles 36:18-20](/2_chronicles/36-18 "2 Chronicles 36:18-20 - Plundering of the Temple and Exile"): This passage details the plundering of the temple treasures and the carrying away of the survivors into exile in Babylon, explicitly confirming the "nothing shall be left" aspect of Isaiah's prophecy.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark warning delivered to King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:17 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of the insidious nature of pride and the ever-present temptation to place our trust in anything other than God alone. Hezekiah, a king who had just experienced a miraculous healing and a divine sign, still succumbed to the allure of worldly display and human affirmation. This teaches us that even after profound spiritual experiences, we must remain vigilant against the subtle snares of pride and self-reliance. Our security, our resources, and our future are ultimately in God's hands, not in our accumulated wealth, our impressive achievements, or our human connections. The certainty of God's prophetic word, fulfilled in the Babylonian exile, also encourages us to trust implicitly in all of God's promises and warnings, knowing that His word stands firm across generations. We are called to cultivate a heart of humility, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God, and to use our resources for His glory rather than for self-aggrandizement or misplaced trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to display my "treasures" (talents, possessions, achievements) for human affirmation rather than giving glory to God?**
* **How does Hezekiah's momentary lapse in judgment, despite his overall righteousness, challenge my understanding of spiritual maturity and vulnerability to sin?**
* **Am I truly trusting in God's provision and protection, or am I subtly relying on my own resources, financial security, or human connections for my ultimate well-being?**
* **How does the certain fulfillment of this ancient prophecy strengthen my faith in the reliability of God's word for my own life and for the future?**

### FAQ

**Why was Hezekiah punished so severely for showing his treasures?**

Answer: Hezekiah's "punishment," or rather the prophetic declaration of future judgment, was severe because his action revealed a fundamental spiritual failing: pride and misplaced trust. After experiencing God's miraculous healing and the extension of his life ([2 Kings 20:6](/2_kings/20-6 "2 Kings 20:6 - God Adds Years to Hezekiah's Life")), Hezekiah should have been overflowing with humility and absolute dependence on the Lord. Instead, when foreign envoys arrived, he chose to display his vast wealth and military resources ([2 Kings 20:13](/2_kings/20-13 "2 Kings 20:13 - Hezekiah Shows His Treasures")), likely seeking to impress them, forge an alliance, or boast in his kingdom's strength. This act was a public declaration of reliance on human power and material possessions rather than on the God who had just saved him. It was a breach of wisdom and a betrayal of the covenant relationship, indicating a heart that was not fully devoted to the Lord, even if only for a moment. God's judgment, therefore, was not merely for the act itself but for the underlying pride and lack of trust it exposed, serving as a powerful lesson that true security lies only in Him.

**How does this prophecy relate to the actual Babylonian exile?**

Answer: This prophecy is a direct and remarkably accurate foretelling of the Babylonian exile, which occurred decades later. Isaiah's words in [2 Kings 20:17](/2_kings/20-17 "2 Kings 20:17 - Prophecy of Babylonian Exile") explicitly state that Judah's treasures "shall be carried into Babylon" and that "nothing shall be left." This was precisely what happened under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Historical accounts and biblical texts confirm that Jerusalem was besieged, its temple and royal palace plundered, and its inhabitants, including the royal family and skilled craftsmen, were deported to Babylon in several waves, beginning around 605 BC ([Daniel 1:1-2](/daniel/1-1 "Daniel 1:1-2 - Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem"); [2 Chronicles 36:18-20](/2_chronicles/36-18 "2 Chronicles 36:18-20 - Plundering of the Temple and Exile")). The prophecy not only named the specific nation that would carry out the judgment but also accurately described the comprehensive nature of the plundering and the deportation, demonstrating God's sovereign control over future events and the certainty of His prophetic word.

**Does God punish pride in the same way today?**

Answer: While God's methods of discipline may differ in the New Covenant era, the principle that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble remains constant ([Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"); [1 Peter 5:5](/1_peter/5-5 "1 Peter 5:5 - God Opposes the Proud")). God's character is unchanging, and He continues to address pride in the hearts of His people. Today, divine discipline for pride might manifest not as a national exile, but as a loss of influence, a breakdown in relationships, spiritual barrenness, or a general sense of unease and distance from God. The New Testament emphasizes that the kingdom of God is not about earthly treasures or power ([Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of Covetousness")) but about spiritual riches and humility before God. Therefore, while the historical context of national judgment has changed, the spiritual consequences of pride—which alienates us from God and others—are still very real. God's ultimate desire is always for our repentance and restoration, leading us to a deeper reliance on Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophecy of 2 Kings 20:17, with its themes of judgment, exile, and the plundering of earthly treasures, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Hezekiah's pride led to the loss of Judah's earthly glory and security, foreshadowing the temporary nature of all human kingdoms and possessions. In contrast, Jesus Christ, the ultimate King, came not to display earthly riches or build a worldly empire, but to establish an eternal kingdom not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). He willingly "emptied himself" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")) of divine glory to take on human form, becoming the ultimate Lamb of God who was "plundered" and "carried away" to the cross, bearing the judgment for humanity's pride and sin. Through His sacrifice, Christ offers a security and an inheritance that can never be plundered or exiled, a heavenly treasure that "nothing shall be left" of in terms of loss, but rather an eternal abundance ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")). He is the one in whom "all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Sustains All Things")), ensuring that His people will never face ultimate spiritual exile but will dwell in the New Jerusalem where God Himself will be with them, and all tears will be wiped away ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")). Thus, Christ reverses the judgment of exile and offers an unshakeable, eternal kingdom where true treasure is found in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 24:13

And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.

2 Chronicles 36:10

And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 52:17

Also the pillars of brass that [were] in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that [was] in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon.

Jeremiah 52:19

And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; [that] which [was] of gold [in] gold, and [that] which [was] of silver [in] silver, took the captain of the guard away.

Jeremiah 27:21

Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain [in] the house of the LORD, and [in] the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;

Jeremiah 27:22

They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.

2 Kings 25:13

And the pillars of brass that [were] in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that [was] in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.