Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
ISAIAH 39:6KJVWhat does Isaiah 39:6 mean?
Isaiah 39:6 warns that everything in King Hezekiah’s palace, including all the treasures stored up by his ancestors, will one day be taken away to Babylon, leaving nothing behind. This is a prophecy from God, declaring that a future time of loss and exile is coming for Judah.
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking directly to King Hezekiah after Hezekiah showed his wealth to envoys from Babylon. Isaiah tells Hezekiah that all the riches and possessions in his house (the royal palace) will be carried off to Babylon, emphasizing the seriousness of Hezekiah’s actions and the consequences for the nation. This moment marks a turning point, foreshadowing the Babylonian exile that will happen generations later.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 39:6
- בַּיִת (bayit, “house”): This word refers to Hezekiah’s royal household or palace, not just a physical building, highlighting that the loss will affect the entire royal family and its legacy.
- אָבוֹת (avot, “fathers”): This term points to Hezekiah’s ancestors, underlining that the treasures at risk are not just his own, but the accumulated wealth of many generations.
- בָּבֶל (Bavel, “Babylon”): Naming Babylon specifically makes the prophecy concrete and historically grounded, showing that the threat comes from a real and powerful empire.
- לֹא יִוָּתֵר (lo yivater, “nothing shall be left”): This phrase stresses the totality of the coming loss—no part of the royal treasure will remain.
Why Isaiah 39:6 matters
- Isaiah 39:6 clarifies that the consequences of Hezekiah’s prideful display are not immediate, but will affect future generations, connecting personal choices to national destiny.
- The verse marks a shift in Isaiah’s message, moving from warnings about Assyria to a new threat from Babylon, which becomes central in later chapters and in the history of Judah.
- By specifying that nothing will be left, Isaiah 39:6 emphasizes the completeness of the coming judgment, preparing the reader for the seriousness of the exile and the need for humility before God.