Isaiah 39:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 39:3 records the pivotal confrontation between the prophet Isaiah and King Hezekiah following a visit from Babylonian envoys. Isaiah, acting as God's messenger, directly questions Hezekiah about the identity and origin of these foreign visitors, probing the king's actions and motives. Hezekiah's candid, yet revealing, response that the men came "from a far country... even from Babylon" sets the stage for Isaiah's subsequent prophetic pronouncement of Judah's future exile and the plundering of Hezekiah's own treasures by this very nation, exposing the spiritual ramifications of the king's pride and misguided alliances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of King Hezekiah's miraculous recovery from a terminal illness, marked by the sign of the sundial turning back ten degrees, as detailed in [Isaiah 38](/isaiah/38 "Isaiah 38 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery"). In [Isaiah 39:1-2](/isaiah/39-1 "Isaiah 39:1-2 - Merodach-Baladan's Envoys and Hezekiah's Pride"), Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon, sends letters and a present to Hezekiah, ostensibly to congratulate him on his recovery. However, Hezekiah, in an act of pride and perhaps seeking a strategic alliance against the dominant Assyrian empire, unwisely displayed all his royal treasures, armory, and everything in his palace to these envoys. Isaiah 39:3 initiates the divine response to Hezekiah's actions, transitioning from the narrative of his personal deliverance to the prophetic judgment concerning the nation's future due to the king's spiritual misstep. The subsequent verses, [Isaiah 39:4-8](/isaiah/39-4 "Isaiah 39:4-8 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Exile"), reveal the devastating consequences of Hezekiah's pride, directly linking his display of wealth to the future Babylonian captivity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this time (late 8th century BCE), the Assyrian Empire was the dominant world power, having already conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and threatening Judah. Babylon, while a rising power, was still largely subservient to Assyria but was actively seeking to assert its independence and form alliances against its overlord. Merodach-baladan was a Chaldean prince who twice seized the throne of Babylon from Assyrian control. His diplomatic mission to Hezekiah was likely not merely a congratulatory gesture but a strategic overture to form an anti-Assyrian coalition. Hezekiah, having just experienced divine deliverance from Assyrian siege ([Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - Sennacherib's Invasion and Defeat")), might have been tempted to rely on human alliances rather than continued trust in God. Displaying national wealth and military strength was a common diplomatic practice to impress potential allies, but in Hezekiah's case, it revealed a misplaced trust and pride, especially after God had just demonstrated His power so profoundly.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Isaiah. It highlights the theme of **Divine Accountability**, as God, through His prophet, immediately confronts Hezekiah's actions, demonstrating that even kings are subject to divine scrutiny and judgment. It underscores the **Danger of Pride and Misplaced Trust**, showing how Hezekiah's post-recovery pride and reliance on human alliances, rather than God, led to a critical error with far-reaching consequences. The interaction also exemplifies the **Role of the Prophet as God's Messenger and Interrogator**, with Isaiah acting as a divine conscience, revealing God's perspective on human affairs. Finally, Hezekiah's admission about the Babylonian envoys serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing of Future Judgment and Exile**, directly linking this seemingly innocuous diplomatic exchange to the devastating prophecy of Judah's captivity in Babylon, a major theme that runs through the latter part of Isaiah and into the subsequent prophetic books. This episode serves as a microcosm of the larger narrative of Judah's spiritual decline and the eventual fulfillment of God's warnings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Isaiah (Hebrew, _Yᵉshaʻyâh'_):** This name, meaning "Jah has saved" or "Yahweh is salvation," profoundly encapsulates the prophet's message and mission. Isaiah's entire prophetic ministry, spanning the reigns of several Judean kings, consistently pointed to God as the ultimate deliverer and savior, even amidst pronouncements of judgment. Here, the very name of the prophet stands in stark contrast to Hezekiah's actions, which demonstrate a reliance on human power rather than the God who saves.
* **Hezekiah (Hebrew, _Chizqîyâh'_):** Meaning "strengthened of Jah" or "Yahweh strengthens," this name reflects the divine empowerment Hezekiah had experienced, particularly in his miraculous recovery and deliverance from Assyria. However, in this moment, Hezekiah's actions reveal a lapse in his dependence on the very God who strengthened him, instead seeking strength and security in worldly alliances and the display of earthly riches. The irony of his name against his current behavior is striking.
* **Babylon (Hebrew, _Bâbel'_):** Derived from a root meaning "confusion," this name carries deep theological significance. Historically, Babylon was the site of the Tower of Babel, a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God, leading to linguistic confusion ([Genesis 11:1-9](/genesis/11-1 "Genesis 11:1-9 - The Tower of Babel")). In Isaiah's prophecy, Babylon emerges as the instrument of God's judgment and the place of Judah's future exile, a place of spiritual and national "confusion" and displacement for God's people due to their unfaithfulness. Its mention here, seemingly innocuous, is pregnant with ominous foreshadowing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah":** This clause marks a direct, divinely ordained confrontation. Isaiah, bearing the title "the prophet," signifies his authority as God's appointed messenger, not merely a royal advisor. His coming "unto king Hezekiah" indicates a direct challenge to the king's authority and actions, highlighting the prophetic role of holding even monarchs accountable to God's standards.
* **"and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?":** These are not casual inquiries but probing questions designed to expose Hezekiah's motives and the nature of his interaction with the Babylonian envoys. The repetition of "came" and the emphasis on "whence" (origin) underscore the significance of the visitors' identity and purpose. Isaiah's questions imply divine knowledge of the situation and a demand for transparency from the king, setting the stage for a divine verdict.
* **"And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, [even] from Babylon.":** Hezekiah's response is immediate and direct, acknowledging the foreign origin of the envoys. The phrase "from a far country" emphasizes the distance and foreignness, while the explicit mention of "Babylon" immediately flags the potential danger and significance of the encounter. For an audience aware of Babylon's rising power and its eventual role in Judah's history, this admission would have carried immense weight, foreshadowing the impending judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Interrogation** is central, as Isaiah's sharp, direct questions ("What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?") serve not merely to elicit information but to compel Hezekiah to confront his actions and their implications. This technique underscores the prophet's role as God's voice, demanding accountability. **Foreshadowing** is powerfully present in Hezekiah's response. The seemingly innocuous mention of "Babylon" is laden with ominous portents for the discerning reader, hinting at the future exile and destruction that Babylon would inflict upon Judah, a prophecy explicitly stated in the verses immediately following ([Isaiah 39:5-7](/isaiah/39-5 "Isaiah 39:5-7 - Prophecy of Babylonian Plunder and Exile")). There is also a subtle **Dramatic Irony** at play; Hezekiah, in his pride, displays his treasures to secure an alliance, unaware that he is effectively inviting the very power that will one day plunder them, fulfilling God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 39:3 serves as a critical juncture, illustrating the profound theological truth that even after experiencing miraculous divine intervention, human pride and reliance on worldly strength can lead to spiritual downfall and national judgment. Hezekiah's actions, born out of a desire for human affirmation or strategic advantage, reveal a momentary lapse in his otherwise commendable faith. This episode underscores God's unwavering expectation of absolute trust and humility from His chosen leaders, demonstrating that even seemingly small acts of disobedience or misplaced trust can have profound, far-reaching consequences, impacting not only the individual but also the entire nation. It highlights the principle that true security and prosperity come from unwavering dependence on God, not from earthly alliances or displays of wealth.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the One Who Trusts in Man")
* [1 John 2:16](/1_john/2-16 "1 John 2:16 - The Lust of the Eyes and Pride of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 39:3 offers a timeless lesson on the insidious nature of pride and the critical importance of maintaining a posture of humble dependence on God, especially after experiencing His blessings. Hezekiah, having just witnessed God's miraculous power in his healing and the defeat of Assyria, succumbed to the temptation to display his earthly glory and seek human alliances. This serves as a stark warning for believers today: our greatest spiritual dangers often arise not in times of adversity, but in moments of triumph or comfort, when we are tempted to take credit, rely on our own resources, or seek validation from the world. We are called to remember that every good gift comes from God and that true security lies in Him alone. This passage challenges us to consistently examine our motives, ensuring that our actions are driven by faith and humility, rather than by a desire for worldly recognition or a misplaced trust in human systems.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most tempted to display my "treasures" (talents, possessions, achievements) rather than humbly acknowledging God's provision?**
* **How do I respond when confronted about my choices, especially by spiritual authority or the prompting of the Holy Spirit? Do I offer honest answers like Hezekiah, or do I try to hide or justify my actions?**
* **After experiencing God's blessings or deliverance, how do I guard against pride and ensure my continued reliance on Him rather than on my own strength or worldly connections?**

### FAQ
**Why did Hezekiah show his treasures to the Babylonian envoys?**

Answer: While the text doesn't explicitly state Hezekiah's motives, it's widely understood that his actions were driven by pride and a desire to forge a political alliance. Having just been miraculously delivered from Assyrian aggression, Hezekiah may have sought to impress the rising power of Babylon and enlist their support against Assyria. Displaying his wealth and military capabilities was a common diplomatic practice of the time. However, this act demonstrated a misplaced trust in human power and a lack of continued reliance on God, who had just proven Himself mighty on Hezekiah's behalf ([Isaiah 37:36-37](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36-37 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes Down Assyrians")).

**What is the significance of Isaiah's questions to Hezekiah?**

Answer: Isaiah's questions ("What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?") are not merely curious inquiries but a divine interrogation. As "the prophet" ([Isaiah 39:3](/isaiah/39-3 "Isaiah 39:3 - Isaiah Confronts Hezekiah")), Isaiah acts as God's messenger, holding the king accountable for his actions. The questions highlight God's omniscience and His demand for transparency and faithfulness from His chosen leaders. They serve to expose Hezekiah's pride and the spiritual implications of his engagement with Babylon, setting the stage for the prophecy of judgment that follows ([Isaiah 39:5-7](/isaiah/39-5 "Isaiah 39:5-7 - Prophecy of Babylonian Plunder and Exile")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 39:3 details a moment of human failure and foreshadows judgment, it ultimately points to the greater faithfulness and perfect humility of Christ. Hezekiah, despite his name meaning "strengthened of Jah," faltered in his trust and succumbed to pride, leading to the prophecy of Judah's exile to Babylon. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ, the true Son of David and the ultimate King, perfectly embodied humility and complete reliance on His Father. He did not seek earthly alliances or display worldly treasures for validation, but rather emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). Where Hezekiah's actions invited judgment, Christ's perfect obedience, even to death on the cross, secured salvation and deliverance for His people ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ")). The treasures of God's kingdom are not earthly riches displayed to foreign powers, but the spiritual blessings secured through Christ's sacrifice, freely offered to all who trust in Him ([Ephesians 1:3-7](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3-7 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). Thus, Hezekiah's failure serves as a backdrop, illuminating the perfect and saving work of the One who truly strengthens His people and leads them not into confusion and exile, but into eternal peace and communion with God ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Peace")).

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

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?