Isaiah 39:5

KJV

¶ Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} Isaiah {H3470} to Hezekiah {H2396}, Hear {H8085} the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Yesha'yahu said to Hizkiyahu, "Hear what ADONAI-Tzva'ot says:

Berean Standard Bible

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of Hosts:

American Standard Version

Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of Jehovah of hosts:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 39:5 records the prophet Isaiah's solemn pronouncement to King Hezekiah, serving as the direct introduction to a divine message of judgment. Following Hezekiah's imprudent display of his kingdom's treasures to Babylonian envoys, this verse marks the moment God's authoritative word, delivered through His prophet, confronts the king's actions and sets the stage for the revelation of severe future consequences for Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Hezekiah's ill-advised decision to showcase his entire treasury, armory, and all his dominion to Babylonian envoys sent by Merodach-baladan, the king of Babylon, as detailed in [Isaiah 39:1-4](/isaiah/39-1 "Isaiah 39:1-4 - Hezekiah's Display of Wealth to Babylon"). The Babylonian delegation ostensibly came to congratulate Hezekiah on his miraculous recovery from a life-threatening illness, an event recounted in [Isaiah 38](/isaiah/38 "Isaiah 38 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery"). However, instead of glorifying God for his healing or seeking divine counsel, Hezekiah succumbed to pride, parading his wealth and power. Isaiah's sudden appearance and direct address in verse 5 interrupt Hezekiah's moment of self-congratulation, signaling a divine reckoning for his lack of prudence and misplaced trust. The subsequent verses, [Isaiah 39:6-7](/isaiah/39-6 "Isaiah 39:6-7 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity"), reveal the devastating consequences of this act, foreshadowing the Babylonian exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Hezekiah's reign (c. 715-686 BC) was one of significant political upheaval in the ancient Near East, dominated by the rising power of Assyria and the nascent threat of Babylon. Hezekiah had recently experienced divine deliverance from the Assyrian siege under Sennacherib ([Isaiah 36-37](/isaiah/36 "Isaiah 36-37 - Sennacherib's Invasion and God's Deliverance")). The visit from Merodach-baladan's envoys, while ostensibly diplomatic, was likely an attempt to forge an alliance against Assyria, exploiting Hezekiah's recent illness and recovery as a pretext. In ancient Near Eastern diplomacy, displaying national wealth and military might was a common practice to impress potential allies or intimidate rivals. However, for a king of Judah, whose ultimate security lay in Yahweh, such a display to a foreign power, particularly one as idolatrous as Babylon, demonstrated a profound lack of spiritual discernment and an over-reliance on material strength rather than divine protection.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 39:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, as God, through His prophet, directly intervenes to address human actions, demonstrating His ultimate authority over nations and kings. Secondly, it highlights **Prophetic Authority and Accountability**, as Isaiah faithfully delivers God's unvarnished message, even to a king, emphasizing that all, regardless of status, are subject to God's word and its consequences. This aligns with the prophet's consistent call for Judah to trust in God alone, rather than in foreign alliances or material possessions, a theme echoed throughout [Isaiah's prophecies](/isaiah/2 "Isaiah 2 - The Mountain of the LORD's House"). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Consequences of Human Pride and Disobedience**, setting the stage for the devastating prophecy of future Babylonian captivity, a direct result of Hezekiah's imprudent display of wealth and his failure to glorify God, as further elaborated in [Isaiah 39:6-7](/isaiah/39-6 "Isaiah 39:6-7 - The Prophecy of Exile").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root signifies not just to speak, but to declare with authority, to command, or to state definitively. In this context, it underscores Isaiah's role as a divine messenger, not merely offering advice but delivering a direct pronouncement from God, carrying the weight of an official decree.
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** More than just physical hearing, _shâmaʻ_ implies intelligent listening, attention, and often, obedience. Isaiah's command to Hezekiah is a forceful imperative, a call to heed, internalize, and respond to the divine message, highlighting the king's immediate and profound accountability before God.
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This versatile noun can mean 'word,' 'matter,' 'thing,' 'affair,' or 'decree.' Here, it refers to the divine message itself, carrying the full weight of God's will and purpose. It is not merely human counsel but a direct revelation from the Almighty, which is about to be unveiled with serious implications for Hezekiah and Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and the recipient of the crucial message. The prophet Isaiah, acting as God's emissary, confronts King Hezekiah, who has just displayed his kingdom's wealth to the Babylonian envoys. This confrontation immediately signals a shift in the narrative from Hezekiah's actions to God's response.
* **"Hear the word"**: This is a direct, imperative command from Isaiah to the king. The Hebrew word for "hear" (שָׁמַע, _shâmaʻ_) implies not just auditory perception but also attentive listening and, crucially, obedience. Hezekiah is being called to pay close attention and prepare himself for a message that demands a response, not merely passive reception.
* **"of the LORD of hosts:"**: This powerful divine title immediately identifies the ultimate source and authority of the "word" that is about to be delivered. "The LORD" (YHWH) is God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel, while "of hosts" (צְבָאוֹת, _tsâbâʼ_) signifies His absolute sovereignty over all creation, including heavenly armies, earthly powers, and the course of history. When the "LORD of hosts" speaks, it is with ultimate power, irresistible authority, and undeniable truth, making the impending message to Hezekiah all the more weighty and inescapable.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 39:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its gravity. The most prominent is **Prophetic Address**, where Isaiah, as God's mouthpiece, directly confronts the king, signaling an immediate and divinely ordained intervention. The use of the **Imperative Mood** in "Hear" (שְׁמַע, _shâmaʻ_) is a forceful command, demanding not just attention but also obedience and submission from Hezekiah. This direct command emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the message. Furthermore, the **Divine Title** "the LORD of hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth) functions as a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and immense power. This title elevates the message from mere human counsel to an authoritative divine decree, underscoring the inescapable weight and ultimate source of the impending judgment. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as Isaiah's solemn tone and the authoritative introduction ("Hear the word of the LORD of hosts") prepare the reader for the dire prophecy that follows, indicating that Hezekiah's actions will have significant, negative consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 39:5 serves as a stark reminder of God's active involvement in human affairs, particularly in the lives of His chosen leaders. It underscores the principle that divine revelation often comes as a direct confrontation to human pride and misplaced trust. Hezekiah's display of wealth, while seemingly innocuous, betrayed a reliance on earthly power rather than on the God who had just miraculously healed him and delivered Judah from Assyria. The "word of the LORD of hosts" is not merely information; it is a living, active force that judges, corrects, and reveals God's sovereign will. This moment highlights the constant tension between human autonomy and divine sovereignty, emphasizing that true wisdom and security are found only in heeding God's voice and trusting in His power.

* [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - God's Promise of a Prophet Like Moses")
* [Jeremiah 23:28](/jeremiah/23-28 "Jeremiah 23:28 - The True Prophet and God's Word")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living and Active Word of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This pivotal verse calls us to a profound self-examination regarding where we place our trust and how we respond to divine correction. Like Hezekiah, we are often tempted to display our "treasures"—our accomplishments, resources, or perceived strengths—to others, seeking affirmation or security in what is temporal. This verse challenges us to consider if our actions truly glorify God or if they subtly reveal a reliance on ourselves or the world. When God's "word" comes to us, whether through Scripture, a sermon, or the wise counsel of others, do we "hear" it with a posture of humility and obedience, ready to internalize its truth and adjust our lives? Or do we, like Hezekiah, allow pride or a lack of spiritual discernment to cloud our judgment, leading to unforeseen consequences? Our ultimate security and wisdom lie not in what we possess or display, but in our attentive and obedient relationship with the "LORD of hosts," whose word alone provides true guidance and lasting peace.

#### 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 for God's glory?**
* **How readily do I "hear" and obey the corrective or challenging "word of the LORD" when it comes to me through Scripture or other means?**
* **What does the title "LORD of hosts" reveal about God's character, and how should this understanding impact my trust in Him during times of uncertainty or temptation?**
* **What are the long-term implications of my current choices, and am I prioritizing God's wisdom over worldly prudence?**

### FAQ
**Why was Hezekiah's action of showing his treasures to the Babylonians considered so serious by God?**

Answer: Hezekiah's action was serious for several interconnected reasons. Firstly, it demonstrated a lack of spiritual discernment and an over-reliance on earthly wealth and military might rather than on God, who had just miraculously delivered him from illness ([Isaiah 38](/isaiah/38 "Isaiah 38 - Hezekiah's Illness")) and Judah from the Assyrians ([Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - God Delivers Judah from Sennacherib")). Instead of glorifying God for these deliverances, Hezekiah seemingly sought to impress a foreign power with his own strength. Secondly, the Babylonians were an idolatrous nation, and forming alliances or seeking their favor through such displays was a form of spiritual compromise, implicitly trusting in man rather than God. This went against the covenant principles that called Israel to trust Yahweh alone. Thirdly, and most significantly, Hezekiah's actions inadvertently revealed Judah's vulnerabilities and wealth to a future enemy. While Babylon was not yet the dominant world power, God, in His omniscience, knew the future threat they posed. Hezekiah's imprudent display provided the Babylonians with intelligence that would later be used against Judah, leading to the very captivity foretold in the subsequent verses ([Isaiah 39:6-7](/isaiah/39-6 "Isaiah 39:6-7 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity")). Thus, it was a profound failure of leadership, trust, and foresight.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 39:5, with its solemn declaration "Hear the word of the LORD of hosts," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While Isaiah delivered a word of judgment and prophecy of future exile, Jesus is the very **Word of God incarnate** ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). He is not merely a messenger but the message itself, the ultimate revelation of the "LORD of hosts." Just as Isaiah commanded Hezekiah to "hear," Jesus consistently called His disciples and the crowds to "hear" His teachings, emphasizing that those who have ears to hear should listen and obey ([Mark 4:9](/mark/4-9 "Mark 4:9 - He Who Has Ears to Hear")). The judgment pronounced through Isaiah foreshadows the greater judgment that would come upon those who reject God's Word, yet Christ also offers the ultimate deliverance from that judgment through His atoning sacrifice. Hezekiah's failure to trust fully in God's provision for his kingdom points to humanity's universal need for a perfect King who would perfectly obey God's word and secure an eternal kingdom. Jesus, as the true King, perfectly fulfilled the will of the Father, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He established a new covenant where all who "hear" and believe in Him receive eternal life and become part of His spiritual kingdom, a kingdom not built on earthly treasures but on divine grace ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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

1 Samuel 15:16

Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

1 Samuel 13:13

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

1 Samuel 13:14

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee.