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.

ISAIAH 39:2KJV
truelightbible.com

Isaiah 39:2 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 39:2 mean?

Isaiah 39:2 describes how King Hezekiah welcomed envoys from Babylon and showed them all his valuable possessions, including silver, gold, spices, precious ointment, his armory, and everything in his storehouses. Hezekiah did not hide anything from them; he displayed all his treasures and resources throughout his kingdom.

This verse is set during a visit from Babylonian messengers to King Hezekiah of Judah. Hezekiah, feeling pleased by their attention, gave them a full tour of his wealth and military resources. The verse highlights Hezekiah’s openness and perhaps his pride, as he revealed every valuable thing under his control to foreign visitors.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 39:2

  • The word "glad" (שָׂמַח, samach) means to rejoice or be pleased. Hezekiah’s positive reaction to the Babylonian envoys sets the tone for his actions, suggesting he was eager or even flattered by their visit.
  • The word "shewed" (רָאָה, ra’ah) means to show or make visible. The verse uses this word to emphasize that Hezekiah deliberately revealed his treasures, not just passively allowed the Babylonians to see them.
  • The word "precious things" (נֶחְמָד, nechmad) refers to desirable or valuable items. This highlights that Hezekiah was showing off the most treasured and sought-after possessions in his kingdom.
  • The word "treasures" (אוֹצָר, otzar) means storehouses or places where valuables are kept. This underlines the extent of what Hezekiah revealed—not just a few items, but the full wealth and resources of his reign.

Why Isaiah 39:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Hezekiah’s display was total—he held nothing back from the Babylonian visitors, which sets up the warning and consequences that follow in the next verses.
  • The verse shows a moment of vulnerability or pride, as Hezekiah’s openness with foreign envoys could be seen as a political misstep, exposing Judah’s resources to outsiders.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why the prophet Isaiah later rebukes Hezekiah and predicts that these treasures will eventually be taken away to Babylon.