CHAP. XXXIX.
6 Behold, the days come, that all that The king of Babylon sends ambassadors to Hezekiah, who shews is in thine house, and that which thy fathers
them all his treasures, 1, 2. Isaiah, hearing it, foretels the Babylonish captivity, and that his descendants would be eunuchs in the king of Babylon's palace, 3-7. Hezekiah submits to the sentence, 8.
T that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick,
and was recovered.
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 armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came
are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.
4 Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, the word of the LORD of hosts:
a 2 Kings 20:12. Berodach -instruments. baladan .
b 1S:1,19. 14:4. 23:13.
c 2 Sam. 8:10. 10:2. 2 Chr. 32: 23.
d 2 Chr. 32:25,31. Job 31:25. Ps. 146:3,4. Prov. 4:23. Jer. 17:9.
e 2 Kings 20:13. 2 Chr. 32:27. Or, spicery. 1 Kings 10:2,10, 15,25. 2 Chr. 9:1,9.
† Or, jewels. Heb. vessels or
Hear
f Ec. 7:20. 2 Cor. 12:7. 1 John 1 : 8.
g 33:1,5. 2 Sam. 12:1. 2 Kings 20:14,15. 2 Chr. 16:7. 19:2. 25:15,16. Jer. 22:1,2.
h Deut. 28:49. Josh. 9:6,9. Jer. 5:15.
i Josh. 7:19. Job 31:33. Prov. 28:13. 1 John 1:9.
k 1 Sam. 13:13,14. 15:16.
NOTES.
CHAP. XXXIX. V. 1. ( Marg .) 'Merodach 'was the name of an idol worshipped by the 'Babylonians; and Baal or Bel was another: 'Jer. 50:2. and these two idols, with the addi'tion of Adan , or Adon , which signifies lord , 'gave a name to this king of Babylon. It was 'usual for the Babylonian kings to take their 'names from the idols which they worshipped. 'Thus we find one of the kings was called Evil'merodach. 2 Kings 25:27. Nebo was another 'idol of the Babylonians, ... whence Nebonassar, 'Nebuchadnezzar, and several other kings of 'Babylon took their names. One reason of 'sending this embassy was, to satisfy himself 'about the prodigy of the sun's going backward 'upon the king's recovery. (2 Chr . 32:31.)- The Babylonians were famous for the study of as'tronomy, which made their king the more in'quisitive about so extraordinary a phenome 'non.' Lowth. ( Notes , 2 Kings 20:8-13. 2 Chr . 32:30-33, ν. 31.)
V. 2. Was glad .] In the parallel passage it is said, "he hearkened to them," that is, with too much satisfaction. ( Notes , 2 Chr . 32:24-29.)
V. 3-8. ( Notes , 2 Kings 20:14-19.) 'The 'king thought it a great favor, that God would 'delay that punishment which he might have 'inflicted presently, and prolong the tranquil'lity of his kingdom for some time.' Lowth.
have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
7 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.
8 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast
spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.