Isaiah 39:3

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 unto me, [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} unto me, 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 to me from a distant country, Bavel."

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 to me from a distant land,” Hezekiah replied, “from Babylon.”

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 unto me, even from Babylon.

Commentary

Context

Isaiah 39:3 marks a pivotal moment following King Hezekiah's miraculous recovery from a terminal illness and the sign of the sundial turning back. The previous verses (Isaiah 39:1-2) describe the arrival of envoys from Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon, ostensibly to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery. However, Hezekiah, in an act of pride and perhaps seeking a political alliance against Assyria, unwisely showed them all his treasures, armory, and all that was in his palace. This verse captures the prophet Isaiah's direct confrontation with King Hezekiah, questioning him about these mysterious visitors and their purpose. Isaiah's inquiry is not merely curious; it carries the weight of divine scrutiny, setting the stage for the prophetic pronouncement of Judah's future exile to Babylon.

Key Themes

  • Divine Accountability: Isaiah's direct questions, "What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?", underscore God's omniscience and His demand for accountability from His chosen leaders. Hezekiah is being called to account for his actions and associations.
  • The Danger of Pride and Earthly Alliances: Hezekiah's eagerness to display his wealth and forge ties with Babylon, rather than relying solely on the God who had just saved him, reveals a heart prone to pride and a lack of trust in divine providence. This act of human self-reliance ultimately leads to severe consequences.
  • Prophetic Interrogation: Isaiah acts as God's messenger, probing Hezekiah's heart and motives. This interrogation highlights the role of prophets in confronting sin and revealing God's perspective on human affairs.
  • Foreshadowing of Judgment: Hezekiah's admission that the men came "from a far country... even from Babylon" immediately alerts the discerning reader to the ominous future. This seemingly innocent diplomatic exchange is directly linked to the devastating prophecy of Babylonian captivity that follows in Isaiah 39:6-7.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrasing of Isaiah's questions is direct and penetrating: "מָה אָמְרוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה" (*mah 'amru ha'anashim ha'elleh* - "What said these men?") and "וּמֵאַיִן בָּאוּ אֵלֶיךָ" (*u'me'ayin ba'u 'elekha* - "and from whence came they unto thee?"). This emphasizes the prophetic nature of the inquiry, not just idle curiosity. Hezekiah's response, "They are come from a far country unto me, [even] from Babylon," uses the Hebrew "אֶרֶץ רְחוֹקָה" (*'eretz rechokah*), literally "a distant land," which highlights the geopolitical significance and the potential danger of engaging with such a powerful, pagan empire far from Judah's immediate sphere of influence.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the importance of humility and seeking God's counsel above all else. Like Hezekiah, we can be tempted to rely on our own resources, display our "treasures" (talents, achievements, possessions), or forge alliances that seem beneficial but ultimately lead us away from God's perfect will. It teaches us:

  • To be transparent and honest when confronted with our choices, knowing that God sees and knows all.
  • To guard against pride, especially after experiencing God's blessings or deliverance. True strength lies in humble dependence on Him, not in showcasing our earthly assets or seeking human approval.
  • That even seemingly insignificant decisions or diplomatic engagements can have profound, long-term spiritual consequences. We are called to exercise discernment and trust in God's protective hand, rather than seeking security in worldly powers or alliances.
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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;

  • Jeremiah 5:15

    Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it [is] a mighty nation, it [is] an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

  • 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 Chronicles 16:7

    ¶ And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

  • Isaiah 38:1

    ¶ 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.

  • Isaiah 38:5

    Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

  • 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?