2 Kings 20:16 kjv
And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
2 Kings 20:16 nkjv
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD:
2 Kings 20:16 niv
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD:
2 Kings 20:16 esv
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD:
2 Kings 20:16 nlt
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Listen to this message from the LORD:
2 Kings 20 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 1:10 | Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom... | Call to listen to God's word. |
| Isa 39:5 | Then Isaiah said, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:...” | Parallel passage to 2 Ki 20:16, same context. |
| Jer 2:4 | Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob... | Common prophetic opening for divine message. |
| Ezek 13:3 | Thus says the Lord God, “Woe to the foolish prophets...” | Prophets claiming divine word, often falsely. |
| Hos 4:1 | Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy... | God's word brings a case against His people. |
| Amos 7:16 | Now therefore hear the word of the Lord: You say, ‘Do not prophesy...’ | Authority of divine word against human resistance. |
| Mic 3:8 | But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. | True prophet delivering God's message. |
| Zech 1:3 | Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts... | Reinforces the divine source of the message. |
| Deut 18:18 | I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers... | Promise of prophets to deliver God's word. |
| Jer 1:9 | Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” | God commissioning prophets with His word. |
| 1 Sam 3:1 | The word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. | Value of direct divine communication. |
| 1 Sam 15:10 | The word of the Lord came to Samuel:... | Divine communication bringing revelation. |
| 1 Sam 15:26 | And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord...” | Consequences of rejecting God's word. |
| Ps 33:6 | By the word of the Lord the heavens were made... | Power and authority of God's word. |
| Prov 13:13 | Whoever despises the word is destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. | Wisdom regarding the reception of God's word. |
| Luke 10:16 | The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me. | Authority of God's messenger. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword... | Nature and power of God's word. |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness... | God's word as inspired and authoritative. |
| Rom 10:17 | So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. | The necessity of hearing God's word for faith. |
| Jas 1:22 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. | Practical obedience to the word. |
| 1 Pet 1:25 | but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you. | The eternal nature of God's word. |
2 Kings 20 verses
2 Kings 20 16 Meaning
This verse marks a pivotal moment where the prophet Isaiah delivers a direct divine message from the Lord to King Hezekiah, emphasizing that what follows is not merely a human word but an authoritative declaration from God himself. It immediately follows Hezekiah's ill-advised act of displaying his entire treasury and arsenal to the Babylonian envoys.
2 Kings 20 16 Context
2 Kings chapter 20 begins with King Hezekiah's mortal illness, his fervent prayer, and God's miraculous extension of his life by fifteen years, signified by the sun's shadow moving back. This miraculous healing and the associated sign generated international interest, leading to envoys from Babylon, specifically Merodach-Baladan (Marduk-apla-iddina II), sending letters and a present to Hezekiah. In an act of pride and possibly to impress a potential ally against Assyria, Hezekiah showed the envoys his entire treasury, his silver, gold, spices, oil, armor, and all his possessions. This unwise display of wealth and strength, revealing Judah's vulnerability and resources to a rising foreign power, directly led to the divine judgment announced by Isaiah. The verse "Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Hear the word of the Lord:'" serves as the direct introduction to God's immediate response to Hezekiah's actions, pivoting the narrative from Hezekiah's glory to divine judgment and prophecy of future Babylonian captivity. Historically, this incident predates Babylon's full ascendancy over Assyria, making Hezekiah's flaunting of resources a critical diplomatic blunder.
2 Kings 20 16 Word analysis
- Then: Signifies a chronological sequence and an immediate response to the preceding events. It underscores the direct consequence of Hezekiah's actions.
- Isaiah: Refers to the prophet, whose name means "Yahweh is Salvation." He serves as God's faithful messenger. He delivered numerous prophecies to Judah and its kings throughout his ministry.
- said: Denotes a verbal pronouncement, often used in the context of divine communication. In Hebrew, אָמַר (amar) often introduces authoritative speech, highlighting a direct address from the prophet.
- to Hezekiah: Identifies the recipient of the divine message. Hezekiah, king of Judah, had recently experienced miraculous healing and divine favor, making his subsequent act of pride and the ensuing prophecy of judgment particularly poignant.
- Hear: In Hebrew, שְׁמַע (shema), which implies not just hearing audibly, but also listening attentively, understanding, and obeying. It is a fundamental command in biblical parlance, emphasizing receptivity to God's will.
- the word: Hebrew: דָּבָר (davar), referring to a divine utterance, a decree, or a message. It is distinct from human speech, carrying absolute authority. It is more than just spoken words; it is a communication that demands response and shapes reality.
- of the Lord: Hebrew: יְהוָה (Yahweh), the covenant name of God. This specifies the ultimate divine source of the message. It immediately establishes the supreme authority and unchallengeable truth of the subsequent prophecy, directly connecting it to the sovereign Creator of all.
- "Hear the word of the Lord:" This phrase functions as a solemn prophetic formula, frequently used to introduce a significant divine oracle or command. It highlights the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message, distinguishing it from human counsel or opinion. This command to "hear" is not an option; it's a solemn imperative for the king to truly comprehend and internalize the message being delivered. It serves as a stark contrast to Hezekiah's prior focus on human recognition and alliances.
2 Kings 20 16 Bonus section
The precise wording "Hear the word of the Lord" serves not only as a prophetic introduction but also as a powerful implicit contrast to human wisdom and short-sightedness. Hezekiah had just acted out of human pride and strategic misjudgment by revealing his resources. Immediately following, the divine corrective comes, reminding him where true authority and foresight reside. This phrase establishes the message to follow (2 Ki 20:17-18) as an infallible divine decree concerning Judah's future and is a standard way prophets initiated God's judgments or promises, thereby giving them ultimate weight and authority over any human plan or desire.
2 Kings 20 16 Commentary
2 Kings 20:16 marks a critical turning point following Hezekiah's demonstration of his treasures to the Babylonian envoys. The opening phrase, "Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Hear the word of the Lord:'," emphasizes the immediate divine consequence of Hezekiah's imprudent actions. It is a formulaic introduction to an oracle of judgment, elevating the gravity of what is about to be revealed from a prophet's personal opinion to the undeniable word of Yahweh. The term "hear" (שְׁמַע) implies attentive and obedient reception, underscoring that the king is expected to internalize and respond to this divine pronouncement, regardless of its difficult nature. This direct confrontation highlights God's sovereignty over nations and the direct consequences of human pride and reliance on worldly strength over divine counsel, even in a devout king.