Isaiah 39 7

Isaiah 39:7 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.

Isaiah 39:7 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.' "

Isaiah 39:7 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."

Isaiah 39:7 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."

Isaiah 39:7 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.'"

Isaiah 39 verses

Isaiah 39 7 Meaning

This verse signifies the consequence of Hezekiah's misplaced pride and premature revelation of his kingdom's treasures to the Babylonian delegation. It declares that all that Hezekiah possesses will be taken to Babylon, and his descendants will be made eunuchs in the Babylonian palace, illustrating a severe and multifaceted judgment.

Isaiah 39 7 Context

This verse is part of Isaiah chapter 39, which narrates a historical event: the visit of emissaries from Merodach-Baladan, king of Babylon, to King Hezekiah of Judah. Merodach-Baladan sought to engage Judah in an alliance against the growing Assyrian empire. Hezekiah, flattered by the attention and impressed by the Babylonian power, ostentatiously displayed his kingdom's wealth and military might. Isaiah, upon learning of this display and Hezekiah's pride, prophesied that this act of revealing Judah's treasures would ultimately lead to them being plundered by the very Babylonians Hezekiah was trying to impress. He also foretold that some of his descendants would be taken captive to Babylon and serve in the Babylonian court.

Isaiah 39 7 Word Analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding prophecy.
• of thy sons (מִבָּנֶיךָ - mi-banecha): "From your sons." This indicates descendants, not just immediate offspring.
• that shall issue from thee (אֲשֶׁר יֵצְאוּ מִמְּךָ - asher yetz'u mim'm'kha): "Who will come forth from you." Refers to future generations.
• which thou shalt beget (אֲשֶׁר תְּלִיד - asher telid): "Whom you will father." Emphasizes lineage.
• shall they take away (יִקָּחוּ - yiqchu): "They will take." A passive or active "they" referring to the Babylonians.
• and they shall be eunuchs (וְהָיוּ סָרִיסִים - ve'hayu saris'im): "And they will be eunuchs." The term "saris" (eunuch) can refer to castrated males or court officials who performed specific duties. The context suggests enforced servitude.
• in the palace (בְּהֵיכַל - be'heikal): "In the palace." The royal court or inner chambers.
• of the king (מֶלֶךְ - melekh): "King." Specifically, the king of Babylon.
• of Babylon (בָבֶל - Bavel): Babylon, a major imperial power in Mesopotamia.

Word-group analysis

• "thy sons... thou shalt beget": Emphasizes a direct lineage and the consequence falling upon Hezekiah's direct descendants.
• "they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon": This phrase describes a severe form of servitude and humiliation, implying loss of freedom, reproductive capability, and personal dignity, serving the conqueror in their own royal establishment.

Isaiah 39 7 Bonus Section

The historical context reveals Merodach-Baladan was an usurper who challenged Assyrian dominance. Hezekiah’s decision to entertain his delegation and reveal Jerusalem's strengths was a significant geopolitical move that aligned Judah with a rising threat to Assyria. However, this alliance proved disastrous in the long run as Babylon itself eventually became the ultimate conqueror. This prophetic warning serves as a counterpoint to popular notions of political expediency trumping divine mandate. The mention of descendants becoming eunuchs, while grim, reflects a severe form of humiliation and powerlessness imposed by a conquering nation. This echoes historical practices of eunuchs serving in royal courts, often after being forcibly castrated, ensuring their loyalty and preventing any claim to the throne. The prophecy thus addresses not just future exile but the specific indignities that would befall Judah's royal line.

Isaiah 39 7 Commentary

Hezekiah's diplomatic success was remarkably short-lived, turning into a prophetic indictment. His sin was not just political imprudence but spiritual arrogance, a failure to trust solely in God for deliverance. The prophecy details a complete reversal: the wealth he flaunted would be confiscated, and his offspring, the future rulers of Judah, would become servants in the very court he so proudly displayed his kingdom to. This is a stark reminder of the covenantal consequences for disobedience and misplaced trust. The stripping of his sons' virility and their service as eunuchs is a symbolic act of the desolation and dismemberment of his lineage and kingdom by the foreign power he engaged with. This event foreshadows the Babylonian captivity described later in Judah's history. It underscores that national security and prosperity are ultimately derived from faithful dependence on God, not from political maneuvering or displaying earthly riches.