Isaiah 39:6

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

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} until this day {H3117}, shall be carried {H5375} to Babylon {H894}: nothing {H1697} shall be left {H3498}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}.

'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.

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.

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

Commentary

Isaiah 39:6 KJV Commentary

Isaiah 39:6 delivers a solemn prophetic word from the LORD to King Hezekiah, foretelling the complete plundering of Judah's treasures and their exile to Babylon. This verse stands as a stark warning, revealing the consequences of human pride and reliance on earthly power rather than divine guidance.

Context

This verse follows a critical moment in King Hezekiah's reign. After miraculously recovering from a severe illness, Hezekiah received envoys from Babylon, led by Merodach-baladan, who ostensibly came to congratulate him (Isaiah 39:1). In a display of what appears to be pride and a desire to impress, Hezekiah showed them all his royal treasures, his armory, and everything in his palace (Isaiah 39:2). The prophet Isaiah confronted Hezekiah about this action, asking what the men had seen (Isaiah 39:3). Hezekiah confessed he had shown them everything. Verse 6, along with verse 7, is the LORD's immediate and severe judgment against Hezekiah's imprudence, revealing that the very nation Hezekiah sought to impress would one day be the instrument of Judah's downfall and the carrying away of their wealth.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences of Pride: The prophecy directly links Hezekiah's actions—his prideful display of wealth and potential reliance on an earthly alliance with Babylon—to the devastating future judgment. It underscores the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction.
  • Sovereignty of God: Despite the power of human kings and empires, God declares their future, demonstrating His ultimate control over history and nations. The phrase "saith the LORD" emphasizes the divine authority behind this pronouncement.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This prophecy concerning the Babylonian captivity and the plunder of Jerusalem's treasures was fulfilled decades later, notably during the reigns of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, as recorded in 2 Kings 24:13 and Jeremiah 52:17-23.
  • Total Loss: The phrase "nothing shall be left" highlights the completeness and severity of the impending judgment. All accumulated wealth, from Hezekiah's time and his ancestors, would be carried away.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "Babylon" (בָּבֶל, Bavel) here signifies not just a geographical location but a powerful, emerging empire that would become the instrument of God's judgment against Judah. The phrase "nothing shall be left" (לֹא יִוָּתֵר דָּבָר, lo' yivvater davar) powerfully conveys the idea of absolute desolation and total confiscation, emphasizing the thoroughness of the impending plunder.

Practical Application

Isaiah 39:6 serves as a timeless reminder for believers:

  • Humility Over Pride: It warns against the dangers of pride, especially when one's blessings or achievements lead to self-glorification rather than gratitude to God. Hezekiah's display of wealth was an act of self-reliance, not God-reliance.
  • Trust in God, Not Riches or Alliances: The verse challenges us to consider where our trust lies. Relying on earthly treasures, military might, or political alliances instead of God's protection can lead to devastating consequences. Our ultimate security is found in the LORD alone.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: God's warnings are not empty threats. This prophecy, fulfilled in history, demonstrates that God holds His people accountable for their actions and choices.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 2 Kings 25:15

    And the firepans, and the bowls, [and] such things as [were] of gold, [in] gold, and of silver, [in] silver, the captain of the guard took away.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 20:5

    Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.

  • 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.

  • 2 Kings 20:17

    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.