And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

2 KINGS 20:15KJV
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2 Kings 20:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 20:15 mean?

2 Kings 20:15 describes a conversation where the prophet Isaiah asks King Hezekiah what the visitors from Babylon have seen in his palace, and Hezekiah replies that he has shown them everything, holding nothing back from his treasures. The verse highlights Hezekiah’s openness in revealing all his possessions to foreign envoys.

Isaiah is speaking to Hezekiah after visitors from Babylon have come to Jerusalem. Isaiah’s question, “What have they seen in thine house?” uses the Hebrew word for “house” (בַּיִת, bayit), which often means not just a building but a household or royal estate. Hezekiah’s answer shows that he has displayed all his treasures (אוֹצָר, ’otsar) to the visitors, setting up Isaiah’s warning in the next verses about the future consequences of this act.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 20:15

  • “Seen” (רָאָה, ra’ah): This word means to see or to look at. The repetition in the verse emphasizes that the visitors did not just glance but thoroughly inspected everything Hezekiah had.
  • “House” (בַּיִת, bayit): While often translated as “house,” this word can refer to the entire royal household or palace, including all possessions and treasures, not just the physical building.
  • “Treasures” (אוֹצָר, ’otsar): This word means storehouse or treasury, referring to valuable possessions, wealth, or royal resources. Hezekiah’s mention of this word shows he revealed not just everyday items but his most valuable assets.

Why 2 Kings 20:15 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Hezekiah did not hide anything from the Babylonian envoys, which sets the stage for Isaiah’s prophecy of coming judgment and loss.
  • The focus on “all” that was shown reveals Hezekiah’s lack of caution and possibly pride in displaying his wealth to outsiders.
  • Understanding the meaning of “house” and “treasures” in the original language shows that this was about more than just a few items—it was a full disclosure of the kingdom’s riches and resources.

Where else these words appear

“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:

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H2396 · used in 78 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
  • Isaiah 36:16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;