2 Kings 20 18

2 Kings 20:18 kjv

And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

2 Kings 20:18 nkjv

'And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.' "

2 Kings 20:18 niv

And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."

2 Kings 20:18 esv

And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."

2 Kings 20:18 nlt

Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon's king."

2 Kings 20 verses

2 Kings 20 18 Meaning

This verse contains a direct prophecy from the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah. It foretells that some of Hezekiah's own male descendants will be taken into captivity by the future Babylonian empire. There, they will be made "eunuchs," serving in the palace of the king of Babylon. This consequence is presented as a judgment for Hezekiah's proud display of his wealth and armory to Babylonian envoys, implicitly trusting in worldly alliances and riches over reliance on the Lord. It signifies humiliation, the cessation of their lineage (if literal eunuchs), and forced servitude in a foreign land.

2 Kings 20 18 Context

The immediate context of 2 Kings 20:18 is found in verses 12-19 of the same chapter. King Hezekiah had recently recovered from a mortal illness, and a sign from God (the moving back of the sun's shadow) confirmed his extended life. News of his recovery reached Merodach-Baladan, the king of Babylon, who sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah. Babylon was a rising power, possibly seeking alliances against their common enemy, Assyria. Instead of focusing on God, who had just healed him and extended his reign, Hezekiah foolishly displayed all his wealth—his silver, gold, spices, oil, armor, and all his treasury—to these envoys. This act, whether driven by pride, a desire for a powerful alliance, or simple naivety, was a grave misstep. The prophecy in verse 18 (and the parallel Isa 39:7) directly condemns this act, stating that these very treasures, and even his own royal descendants, would eventually be carried away to Babylon as a consequence of this display and lack of trust in God alone. This prophetic declaration sets the stage for the eventual Babylonian exile, which becomes a central theme in later biblical narratives.

2 Kings 20 18 Word analysis

• And some of your descendants, whom you will beget,

  • Some of your descendants: Hebrew mibbaneikha (מִבָּנֶיךָ֙), "from your sons/descendants." This highlights that the judgment directly impacts his lineage, but not necessarily all of it, focusing on specific individuals destined for this fate.
  • whom you will beget: Hebrew ʾasher tolid (אֲשֶׁ֣ר תּוֹלִיד֩). This emphasizes the direct parental link, making the future shame even more poignant for Hezekiah, as these would be his direct biological progeny. It highlights the principle of generational consequence.

• will be taken away;

  • will be taken away: Hebrew yiqqaḥu (יִקָּח֛וּ), a passive form meaning "they will be taken" or "they will be carried off." This indicates a forcible removal, against their will, symbolizing a loss of freedom, homeland, and destiny. It is a judgment of captivity.

• and they will become eunuchs

  • eunuchs: Hebrew serisim (סָרִיסִ֖ים). This term is crucial. It can denote:
    1. Literally, an emasculated male, used often in ancient Near Eastern courts to ensure loyalty (no competing family ambitions) and access to royal harems without risk. For a royal descendant, this means the end of their direct dynastic line.
    2. Figuratively or idiomatically, a high-ranking court official or minister, regardless of their physical state (e.g., Potiphar in Gen 37:36; the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:27).
  • In the context of this prophecy concerning royal Jewish descendants serving in a foreign court, both meanings carry severe implications. If literal, it's deep humiliation and an end to lineage. If an official, it still implies enforced servitude, absorption into a foreign power's system, and potential defilement through association with pagan practices, marking a sharp contrast to the divinely promised future for the house of David. Scholars indicate Babylonian custom would often literal emasculate such individuals for high office, making both meanings relevant.

• in the palace of the king of Babylon.

  • in the palace: Hebrew beheikhal (בְּהֵיכַ֤ל), signifying a place of royal authority, luxury, but also strict control and pagan influence. Their elevated position comes at the cost of identity and freedom.
  • of the king of Babylon: Hebrew melekh Bavel (מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל). This clearly identifies the oppressor and future dominant world power, validating Isaiah's prophetic foresight regarding Babylon's rise, as at this time Assyria was the dominant power. It specifically names the agent of judgment, connecting it back to the very envoys Hezekiah was entertaining.

2 Kings 20 18 Bonus section

The prophecy in 2 Kings 20:18 is fulfilled remarkably accurately over a century later, primarily during the reigns of kings Jehoiachin and Zedekiah when prominent members of the royal family and nobility were taken to Babylon (e.g., 2 Ki 24-25; Dan 1). This demonstrates God's perfect foreknowledge and His commitment to His word. While Hezekiah lived to see his reign prolonged and Judah delivered from Assyria (which he learned through another prophecy from Isaiah immediately following this one), his private lapse still brought generational repercussions, highlighting that individual actions, particularly by leaders, can have far-reaching effects. The fact that the prophet Isaiah explicitly names Babylon as the instrument of judgment decades before its ascent to imperial power emphasizes the supernatural nature of biblical prophecy.

2 Kings 20 18 Commentary

2 Kings 20:18 delivers a sharp prophetic judgment against King Hezekiah, directly linking his act of prideful display to future national and familial consequences. Hezekiah's momentary lapse in faith, when he showcased his earthly treasures to Babylonian envoys rather than trusting solely in God's providence, incurred divine displeasure. The prophecy of his descendants serving as "eunuchs" in Babylon’s palace signifies profound humiliation and the subversion of God’s covenant with David. Whether referring to literal castration or merely enforced servitude in high office, it implies a loss of personal freedom, lineage, and national identity for Hezekiah's offspring within a pagan empire. This incident serves as a stark reminder against human pride, reliance on worldly power and alliances, and highlights God's sovereignty over history, fulfilling His word concerning both judgment and the rise and fall of nations.