And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

2 KINGS 20:13KJV
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2 Kings 20:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 20:13 mean?

2 Kings 20:13 describes how King Hezekiah welcomed messengers from Babylon and showed them everything valuable in his palace and kingdom, including his treasures, silver, gold, spices, precious ointment, armory, and all his wealth. Hezekiah did not hold anything back; he revealed all his possessions and resources to these foreign visitors.

In this scene, Hezekiah is the king of Judah, and the visitors are envoys sent by the king of Babylon. The verse highlights Hezekiah’s openness and perhaps pride in displaying his riches and military resources. This action sets the stage for the prophet Isaiah’s later warning that these treasures would eventually be taken away to Babylon, showing the consequences of Hezekiah’s decision.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 20:13

  • The word "hearkened" (שָׁמַע, shama‘) means to listen or pay attention. Here, it shows Hezekiah’s willingness to engage with the Babylonian envoys, not just passively but with interest.
  • "Shewed" (רָאָה, ra’ah) means to see or show. Hezekiah actively revealed or displayed his possessions, emphasizing his deliberate choice to expose everything to outsiders.
  • "Precious things" (נֶכֶת, neḵet) refers to valuable possessions or treasures, underlining the extent and worth of what Hezekiah revealed.
  • "Armour" (כְּלִי, keli) can mean equipment or weapons, so Hezekiah also showed his military resources, not just wealth, which would have strategic implications.

Why 2 Kings 20:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Hezekiah’s display was complete and without reservation, which helps explain why Isaiah’s later prophecy about Babylon taking these treasures is so severe.
  • The verse shows the political and personal motivations at play—Hezekiah may have been seeking favor or recognition from Babylon, revealing both pride and vulnerability.
  • Understanding this moment helps explain the shift in the narrative from Hezekiah’s recovery and success to the warning of future loss and exile, connecting personal choices to national consequences.

Where else these words appear

“things” Hebrew H5238 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 39:2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

“dominion” Hebrew H4475 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • Psalms 114:2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
  • Isaiah 39:2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

“spices” Hebrew H1314 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
  • 1 Chronicles 9:30 And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.
  • Song of Solomon 4:14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

“treasures” Hebrew H214 · used in 70 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:1 Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.
  • Isaiah 2:7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots: