Isaiah 39:4 kjv
Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
Isaiah 39:4 nkjv
And he said, "What have they seen in your house?" So Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them."
Isaiah 39:4 niv
The prophet asked, "What did they see in your palace?" "They saw everything in my palace," Hezekiah said. "There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them."
Isaiah 39:4 esv
He said, "What have they seen in your house?" Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them."
Isaiah 39:4 nlt
"What did they see in your palace?" asked Isaiah. "They saw everything," Hezekiah replied. "I showed them everything I own ? all my royal treasuries."
Isaiah 39 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 39:4 | Hezekiah questioned, "What did they see in your palace?" | 2 Kings 20:14 |
| Isaiah 39:4 | Hezekiah replied, "They saw everything in my palace." | 2 Kings 20:15 |
| 2 Kings 20:15 | "What did they see in your palace?" Hezekiah asked the messengers. "I saw everything in my palace," Hezekiah replied. | Directly parallel account of the event. |
| Isaiah 40:1 | "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. | Foretells a future of comfort after present distress. |
| Isaiah 13:17 | I will stir up the Medes against them. | Prophecy of Babylon's destruction by the Medes. |
| Jeremiah 50:9 | I will stir up against Babylon an alliance of great nations. | Further prophecy against Babylon. |
| Daniel 2:38 | To whom are kingdoms given to rule the world? | Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom over the nations. |
| Daniel 4:30 | "Is not this the great Babylon I have built...?" | Nebuchadnezzar's pride and downfall. |
| Luke 14:28-30 | Counting the cost before building a tower. | Warning against presumption. |
| Proverbs 4:23 | Above all else, guard your heart. | Emphasizes the importance of inner security. |
| Proverbs 11:2 | When pride comes, then comes disgrace. | Connects pride to future shame. |
| Proverbs 21:20 | Precious treasure remains and oil in the wise man's house. | Contrasts foolish and wise use of resources. |
| Matthew 6:19-21 | Do not store up treasures on earth. | Teaches about heavenly treasures. |
| Philippians 2:3 | Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. | Exhortation against pride. |
| 1 Peter 5:5 | God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. | God's stance on pride. |
| Psalm 50:15 | Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you. | God's faithfulness in times of need. |
| Psalm 105:13-15 | Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm. | Protection of God's chosen servants. |
| 2 Corinthians 1:12 | Our conscience bears witness that we have conducted ourselves in the world... | Paul's integrity in ministry. |
| 1 Timothy 6:10 | For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. | Warning against covetousness. |
| Deuteronomy 7:25 | You shall not covet silver or gold. | Prohibition against coveting. |
| Judges 9:56 | Thus God repaid Abimelech the evil he had done. | God's justice against wickedness. |
| Hosea 4:6 | My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. | Consequences of ignorance. |
| Mark 8:36 | What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? | The ultimate value of one's soul. |
Isaiah 39 verses
Isaiah 39 4 Meaning
Hezekiah shows all his treasures to the Babylonians, revealing everything in his royal palace and kingdom. This act demonstrated a significant lack of discernment and undermined his previously established position with God.
Isaiah 39 4 Context
Isaiah chapter 39 describes an event during Hezekiah's reign. Messengers arrived from Babylon to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery from illness and to inquire about the marvels he had displayed. In his pride and misplaced security, Hezekiah opened his entire treasury and armory to them, showing them all that was in his palace and kingdom. This chapter is immediately followed by Isaiah's prophecy of Babylon's future conquest and the exile of Jerusalem's treasures, directly linking Hezekiah's indiscreet display to future divine judgment. Historically, this event underscores the geopolitical shifts of the era, with the rising power of Babylon posing a new threat after the decline of Assyria. The prophet Isaiah delivers a stern warning concerning the consequences of this action.
Isaiah 39 4 Word analysis
"So Hezekiah said to Isaiah,": This establishes Hezekiah's direct interaction and request to the prophet, seeking clarification or confirmation.
"What did your servants see in your palace?": This is Hezekiah’s question, directed to Isaiah regarding what the Babylonian delegation observed during their visit. It reflects a belated sense of concern after the event.
"Hezekiah replied to Isaiah,": Hezekiah answers his own question.
"They saw everything in my palace.": This is the stark and complete confession of Hezekiah's action. It means literally every part of his royal wealth and possessions was revealed. "Everything" (Hebrew: kōl) signifies a total lack of discretion.
Word group analysis: The interaction between Hezekiah and Isaiah highlights a moment of accountability. Hezekiah's question, prompted by Isaiah's earlier pronouncement of impending exile, reveals a recognition of his potentially grave error in revealing his kingdom’s riches. Isaiah's response, detailing Hezekiah's own admission, underscores the completeness of the exposure, implying no part of Judah's wealth was kept secret from these foreign emissaries. This exchange sets the stage for the judgment that Isaiah announces.
Isaiah 39 4 Bonus section
This incident is often viewed as a pivotal moment where Hezekiah's faith faltered, trading spiritual security for temporal pride. His earlier miracle of extended life (Isaiah 38) should have been a constant reminder of God’s power and his own reliance on divine grace, not an occasion to display earthly splendor. The parallel account in 2 Kings 20:14-18 adds that not only did Hezekiah show his treasures, but "Hezekiah did not hold back anything from them." This reinforces the gravity of his error. The prophet Isaiah's pronouncement of Babylonian exile directly links Hezekiah's action to a future consequence for his kingdom.
Isaiah 39 4 Commentary
Hezekiah's transparency with the Babylonian envoys was not a demonstration of wisdom but a significant lapse in judgment and faith. By revealing the totality of his wealth, he inadvertently showcased Judah's vulnerability and earthly riches, which drew the covetous eyes of Babylon. This act betrayed the trust placed in him as a leader responsible for God's people and kingdom. It was a pragmatic mistake with profound spiritual implications, as it showcased reliance on material wealth rather than on God's protection. The prophetic word immediately following serves as a stark reminder that such earthly boasting and lack of discernment would ultimately lead to the very loss he sought to avoid. The verse is a potent lesson against worldly pride and a call for absolute dependence on divine providence.