Hezekiah’s Pride and a Warning about Babylon
2 Kings 20:12-21
2 K.20.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בראדך: NOUN,prop,ms,sg
- בלאדן: NOUN,prop,ms,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלאדן: NOUN,prop,ms,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ספרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומנחה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 39:1 (quotation): Direct retelling of the same incident: envoys from Babylon visit Hezekiah after hearing he was sick.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (quotation): Chronicles' parallel account noting Hezekiah's illness, the visit of Babylonian envoys, and the subsequent prophetic outcome.
- Isaiah 38:1-5 (thematic): Earlier part of the same episode describing Hezekiah's serious illness and God's granting of fifteen additional years—background for why foreign rulers learned of his sickness.
- 2 Kings 20:14-19 (structural): Immediate continuation of the narrative: Hezekiah shows his treasures to the Babylonian envoys and Isaiah prophesies the future deportation to Babylon (the consequence of the visit).
Alternative generated candidates
- At that time Berodach‑baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah was sick.
- At that time Merodach‑baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah was sick.
2 K.20.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויראם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נכתה: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הזהב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הבשמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- שמן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הטוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נמצא: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- באוצרתיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- הראם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,obj:3,m,pl
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בביתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- ממשלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isa.39.2 (verbal): Direct parallel account: Isaiah 39:2 recounts Hezekiah’s showing the Babylonian envoys all his house and treasures with virtually the same wording.
- Isa.39.5-7 (structural): Immediate prophetic consequence to the same episode: Isaiah warns that Babylon will carry off Hezekiah’s descendants and treasures—explicit theological outcome of showing the valuables.
- 2 Chron.32.31 (allusion): Chronicles reflects on Hezekiah’s pride and its consequences (his heart was lifted up), linking to the episode of revealing his wealth to foreign envoys and its negative outcome.
- 1 Kgs.10.4-5 (thematic): The Queen of Sheba’s inspection of Solomon’s house, servants, silver, gold and spices parallels the motif of foreign dignitaries viewing a king’s treasures and luxury.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Hezekiah heard of it, he showed them all the house of his treasures—the silver and the gold, the spices and the choice oil, his household vessels and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
- And Hezekiah received them and showed them all the house of his treasures—the silver, the gold, the spices, the choice oil, the house of his armory, and all that was found among his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
2 K.20.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ומאין: CONJ+ADV,whence
- יבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רחוקה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מבבל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Isaiah 39:3 (quotation): Nearly verbatim parallel: Isaiah asks Hezekiah what the men said and where they came from, and Hezekiah replies that they came from a far country, even Babylon.
- Isaiah 39:5-7 (thematic): Directly parallels the consequence announced after 2 Kgs 20:14 — Isaiah prophesies that Babylon will come and take away treasures and offspring, echoing the warning addressed to Hezekiah.
- 2 Kings 20:16-18 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same narrative in 2 Kings: Isaiah prophesies to Hezekiah that the men from Babylon will return and carry off his treasures and descendants.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (thematic): Chronicles notes that Hezekiah's pride led to wrath against Judah and Jerusalem, thematically linking Hezekiah’s display to the later judgment associated with Babylonian involvement.
- 2 Kings 24:13 (thematic): Fulfillment parallel: Nebuchadnezzar carries off the treasures of the house of the LORD to Babylon, reflecting the outcome Isaiah warned about after Hezekiah’s encounter with Babylonian envoys.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say? And where did they come from to you?” Hezekiah said, “From a far land—they came from Babylon.”
- Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “From a far country; they came from Babylon.”
2 K.20.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- בביתך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בביתי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,?,sg
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- הראיתם: VERB,hifil,perf,2,m,pl
- באצרתי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,?,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 39:2 (verbal): Isaiah retells the same episode with wording close to 2 Kings: Hezekiah 'showed them all that was in his house,' and Isaiah then pronounces the prophetic consequence of that display.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (allusion): Chronicles recounts the visit of Babylonian envoys and links Hezekiah's openness/pride to subsequent divine judgment—an expanded retelling of the Kings episode.
- 2 Kings 20:13 (structural): Immediate context in Kings: the arrival of Merodach‑baladan's envoys ('what have they seen in your house?') directly leads into verse 15's report that Hezekiah showed them all his treasures.
- Jeremiah 52:17-23 (thematic): A later historical account of Nebuchadnezzar's removal of the temple and royal treasures from Jerusalem—themewise linked to the danger and eventual reality implicit in Hezekiah's revealing of his wealth.
Alternative generated candidates
- Isaiah asked, “What did they see in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They saw all that is in my house; there was nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.”
- He said, “What did they see in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They saw all that was in my house; there was nothing in my house that I did not show them.”
2 K.20.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אל: NEG
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 39:5-7 (verbal): Direct parallel wording and content: Isaiah addresses Hezekiah with 'Hear the word of the LORD' and delivers the same oracle about Babylon and Judah's future.
- 2 Kings 20:17-18 (structural): Immediate continuation of the speech that begins in 20:16; these verses contain the substance of the prophetic warning introduced by 'Hear the word of the LORD.'
- 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 (thematic): Parallel account of Hezekiah's recovery and subsequent pride; provides the same thematic consequence (visitors seeing his treasures and coming judgment) found in the oracle introduced in 20:16.
- Isaiah 38:1-5 (structural): Earlier prophetic exchange between Isaiah and Hezekiah in the same narrative sequence (Hezekiah's illness and the LORD's word), showing the recurring prophetic formula and interaction that culminates in 20:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD.
- Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD.”
2 K.20.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- באים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- ונשא: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בביתך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- אצרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:2,m
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- בבלה: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יותר: ADV
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 39:6-7 (quotation): Nearly identical prophecy delivered by Isaiah about the days when all that is in your house and what your fathers have stored will be carried to Babylon—verbal parallel and direct source of the prediction.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31 (allusion): Chronicles recounts Hezekiah’s interaction with Babylonian envoys and reflects the same theme of future loss to Babylon, alluding to the prophetic judgment recorded in Isaiah/2 Kings.
- 2 Kings 24:13 (structural): Narrative fulfillment within Kings: Nebuchadnezzar carries off the treasures of the king’s house and the house of the LORD to Babylon, realizing the prophecy about plunder.
- Jeremiah 52:17-23 (thematic): Jeremiah’s record of Babylonian deportations and the removal of temple and royal treasures parallels and actualizes the warning that possessions would be carried off to Babylon.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, days are coming when all that is in your house and that which your fathers have stored up until this day shall be carried off to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the LORD.
- Behold, days are coming when all that is in your house and that which your fathers have stored up to this day shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the LORD.
2 K.20.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומבניך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תוליד: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- יקחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- סריסים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בהיכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isa.39.7 (quotation): Nearly identical prophecy repeated in Isaiah: Hezekiah’s descendants will be taken and become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon (verbal repetition of 2 Kgs 20:18).
- 2 Chr.32.31 (structural): Chronicles retells the episode of Babylonian envoys, Hezekiah’s pride, and Isaiah’s resulting prophecy about his sons being taken — a parallel account of the same event and judgment motif.
- 2 Kgs.24.12-16 (thematic): Narrative of the Babylonian deportations where members of the royal house and officials are taken into exile to Babylon — a historical fulfillment theme related to the prediction in 2 Kgs 20:18.
- Deut.28.30 (thematic): Part of the covenant curses promising that offspring will be taken and lost in exile; thematically anticipates the removal of children to foreign captivity as in 2 Kgs 20:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- And some of your own sons, whom you will beget, shall they take away, and they shall become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
- And some of your own sons whom you shall beget shall be taken away, and they shall become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
2 K.20.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ישעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הלוא: PART
- אם: CONJ
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
Parallels
- Isaiah 39:8 (quotation): Nearly identical wording appears here; Isaiah's account repeats Hezekiah's response verbatim ('Good is the word of the LORD... Is it not peace and truth in my days?').
- 2 Kings 20:5-6 (verbal): Immediately preceding promise from the LORD (through Isaiah) that God will add fifteen years to Hezekiah's life—the 'good word' to which Hezekiah is responding.
- Isaiah 38:5 (allusion): Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 38 gives the same divine reply ('I will add fifteen years'); Isaiah 38 is the parallel prophetic context to which 2 Kgs 20:19 refers.
- 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 (structural): Chronicles recounts the same episode in Hezekiah's life (his illness, recovery, and subsequent actions), providing a narrative parallel and later assessment of his conduct.
- Psalm 85:10 (thematic): Expresses the close association of 'truth' and 'peace' ('steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss'), echoing Hezekiah's hopeful formula 'peace and truth' for his days.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” And he added, “Is it not so—may there be peace and truth in my days?”
- Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “Good is the word of the LORD that you have spoken.” And he added, “Is it not so, if there be peace and truth in my days?”
2 K.20.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- גבורתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הברכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- התעלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- העירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הלא: PART
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- למלכי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 32:32 (quotation): Nearly identical closing formula: the remainder of Hezekiah's acts are recorded in the chronicle of the kings of Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 32:30 (verbal): Specifically describes Hezekiah's work on the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and bringing them down to the City of David—parallels 'made the pool and the conduit; brought water into the city.'
- 2 Chronicles 32:2-4 (thematic): Accounts Hezekiah's fortification projects, building towers and diverting water sources to secure Jerusalem—corresponds to the construction and waterworks mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20.
- Isaiah 22:9-11 (thematic): Mentions breaches in the wall and collecting the waters of the lower pool (Gihon); thematically related to Jerusalem's water supply and defensive measures linked with Hezekiah's works.
Alternative generated candidates
- The rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made the conduit and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
- As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and the things that he did—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Also the pool and the conduit that he made, and brought water into the city—
2 K.20.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chr.32.33 (verbal): Almost identical royal formula: 'Hezekiah slept with his fathers; and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.' (chronicle's parallel to the Kings notice).
- 2 Kgs.21.1 (structural): Immediate continuation in Kings: begins account of Manasseh's reign—direct succession statement that follows Hezekiah's death.
- 2 Chr.33.1 (thematic): Parallel account of Manasseh's accession in Chronicles, echoing the succession and introducing Manasseh's reign and deeds.
- 1 Kgs.2.10 (verbal): Uses the same royal formula ('slept with his fathers' and successor reigns in his stead), illustrating the common dynastic/chronistic closing notice used throughout the historical books.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
- and Hezekiah slept with his fathers; and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.
At that time Merodach‑baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah was sick.
Hezekiah heard of them and showed them all the house of his treasures—the silver, the gold, the spices, the choice oil, his household vessels, and all that was found among his treasuries; there was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, 'What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?' Hezekiah answered, 'From a far country— from Babylon.'
He said, 'What did they see in your house?' Hezekiah replied, 'They saw all that was in my house; there was nothing in my treasuries that I did not show them.'
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Hear the word of the LORD.'
'Behold, days are coming when all that is in your house and that which your fathers have stored up to this day shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the LORD.'
'And of your own sons who issue from you—those whom you will beget—they shall take, and they shall make them eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.'
Hezekiah said to Isaiah, 'Good is the word of the LORD that you have spoken.' For he thought, 'Will there not be peace and truth in my days?'
The rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and what he did in the pool and in the conduit and in bringing water into the city—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.