Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Read the Bible

The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible

Isaiah 39:3

Then the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, "Where did those men come from, and what did they say to you?" "They came to me from a distant land," Hezekiah replied, "from Babylon."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Minister, Christian;   Temptation;   Thompson Chain Reference - Hezekiah;   Isaiah;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Isaiah;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Treaty;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Hezekiah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Kings, 1 and 2;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Text, Versions, and Languages of Ot;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Hezekiah;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hezekiah (2);   Isaiah;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Then the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did these men say, and where did they come to you from?”
Hebrew Names Version
Then came Yesha`yahu the prophet to king Hizkiyahu, and said to him, What said these men? and from whence came they to you? Hizkiyahu said, They are come from a far country to me, even from Bavel.
King James Version
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.
English Standard Version
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, "What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?" Hezekiah said, "They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon."
New American Standard Bible
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?" And Hezekiah said, "They came to me from a far country, from Babylon."
New Century Version
Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say? Where did they come from?" Hezekiah said, "They came from a faraway country—from Babylon."
Amplified Bible
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and asked, "What did these men say? From where have they come to you?" And Hezekiah said, "They came to me from a far country, from Babylon."
World English Bible
Then came Isaiah the prophet to king Hezekiah, and said to him, What said these men? and from whence came they to you? Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country to me, even from Babylon.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then came Isaiah the Prophet vnto King Hezekiah, & said vnto him, What said these men? and from whence came they to thee? And Hezekiah saide, They are come from a farre countrey vnto me, from Babel.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where have they come to you?" And Hezekiah said, "They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon."
Contemporary English Version
I asked Hezekiah, "Where did these men come from? What did they want?" "They came all the way from Babylonia," Hezekiah answered.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then Yesha‘yahu the prophet came to King Hizkiyahu and asked him, "What did these men say? Where did they come from?" Hizkiyahu answered, "They came to me from a distant country, Bavel."
Darby Translation
Then came the prophet Isaiah to king Hezekiah, and said to him, What said these men? and from whence came they to thee? And Hezekiah said, They came from a far country to me, from Babylon.
Easy-to-Read Version
Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say? Where did they come from?" Hezekiah said, "These men came all the way from Babylon just to see me."
George Lamsa Translation
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him. What did these men say to you? And from whence did they come to you? And Hezekiah said, They have come from a far country to me, even from Babylon.
Good News Translation
Then the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, "Where did these messengers come from and what did they say to you?" Hezekiah answered, "They came from a very distant country, from Babylonia."
Lexham English Bible
And Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?" And Hezekiah answered, "They came to me from a distant country, from Babylon."
Literal Translation
And Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, What did these men say? And from where did they come to you? And Hezekiah said, They have come from a distant land to me, from Babylon.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The came Esay the prophet to kinge Ezechias, and sayde vnto him: What haue ye men sayde, and from whence came they vnto the? Ezechias answered: They came out of a farre countre vnto me: out of Babilon.
American Standard Version
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.
Bible in Basic English
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, What did these men say, and where did they come from? And Hezekiah said, They came from a far country, even from Babylon.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him: 'What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?' And Hezekiah said: 'They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.'
King James Version (1611)
Then came Isaiah the Prophet vnto King Hezekiah, and sayde vnto him, What sayd these men? and from whence came they vnto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a farre countrey vnto me, euen from Babylon.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then came Esai the prophete to king Hezekia, and sayde vnto hym: What haue the men sayde, and from whence came they vnto thee? Hezekia aunswered, They came out of a farre countrey vnto me, out of Babylon.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Esaias the prophet came to king Ezekias, and said to him, What say these men? and whence came they to thee? and Ezekias said, They are come to me from a land afar off, from Babylon.
English Revised Version
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Sotheli Ysaie, the prophete, entride to kyng Ezechie, and seide to hym, What seiden thes men, and fro whennus camen thei to thee? And Ezechie seide, Fro a fer lond thei camen to me, fro Babiloyne.
Update Bible Version
Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah, and said to him, What did these men say? and where did they come to you from? And Hezekiah said, They have come from a far country to me, even from Babylon.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then came Isaiah the prophet to king Hezekiah, and said to him, What said these men? and from whence came they to thee? and Hezekiah said, They have come to me from a far country, [even] from Babylon.
New English Translation
Isaiah the prophet visited King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say? Where do they come from?" Hezekiah replied, "They come from the distant land of Babylon."
New King James Version
Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?" So Hezekiah said, "They came to me from a far country, from Babylon."
New Living Translation
Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did those men want? Where were they from?" Hezekiah replied, "They came from the distant land of Babylon."
New Life Bible
Then Isaiah the man of God came to King Hezekiah and said to him, "What did these men say? From where have they come to you?" And Hezekiah said, "They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon."
New Revised Standard
Then the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and said to him, "What did these men say? From where did they come to you?" Hezekiah answered, "They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then came Isaiah the prophet, unto King Hezekiah, - and said unto him - What said these men? and whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, From a land far away, came they unto me, from Babylon!
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Isaias the prophet came to king Ezechias, and said to him: What said these men, and from whence came they to thee? And Ezechias said: From a far country they came to me, from Babylon.
Revised Standard Version
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezeki'ah, and said to him, "What did these men say? And whence did they come to you?" Hezeki'ah said, "They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon."
Young's Literal Translation
And Isaiah the prophet cometh in unto king Hezekiah, and saith unto him, `What said these men? and whence come they unto thee?' And Hezekiah saith, `From a land afar off they have come unto me -- from Babylon.'
THE MESSAGE
Later the prophet Isaiah showed up. He asked Hezekiah, "What were these men up to? What did they say? And where did they come from?" Hezekiah said, "They came from a long way off, from Babylon."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where have they come to you?" And Hezekiah said, "They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon."

Contextual Overview

1At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard about Hezekiah's illness and recovery. 2And Hezekiah welcomed the envoys and showed them what was in his treasure house-the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his entire armory-everything that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. 3Then the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, "Where did those men come from, and what did they say to you?" "They came to me from a distant land," Hezekiah replied, "from Babylon."4"What have they seen in your palace?" Isaiah asked. "They have seen everything in my palace," answered Hezekiah. "There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

came Isaiah: Isaiah 38:1, Isaiah 38:5, 2 Samuel 12:1, 2 Kings 20:14, 2 Kings 20:15, 2 Chronicles 16:7, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 2 Chronicles 25:15, Jeremiah 22:1, Jeremiah 22:2

They are: Deuteronomy 28:49, Joshua 9:6, Joshua 9:9, Jeremiah 5:15

Reciprocal: Isaiah 5:26 - end Isaiah 10:3 - in the desolation Jeremiah 4:16 - from Jeremiah 8:19 - the voice Ezekiel 23:22 - I will raise

Cross-References

Genesis 21:22
At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do.
Genesis 26:24
and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham."
Genesis 26:28
"We can plainly see that the LORD has been with you," they replied. "We think there should be an oath between two parties-between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you
Genesis 30:27
But Laban replied, "If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you."
Genesis 30:30
Indeed, you had very little before my arrival, but now your wealth has increased many times over. The LORD has blessed you wherever I set foot. But now, when may I also provide for my own household?"
Genesis 39:7
and after some time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Sleep with me."
Genesis 39:8
But he refused. "Look," he said to his master's wife, "with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care.
Genesis 39:15
When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house."
Genesis 39:16
So Potiphar's wife kept Joseph's garment beside her until his master came home.
Genesis 39:23
The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him and gave him success in whatever he did.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then came Isaiah the prophet unto King Hezekiah,.... Quickly after the ambassadors had been with the king, and he had shown them all his treasures; the prophet did not come of himself, but was sent by the Lord, though he was not sent for by the king; in the time of his distress and illness he could send for him, but now being well, and in prosperity, he forgot the prophet, to send for him, and have his advice, how he should behave towards these men, as not to offend the Lord:

and said unto him, what said these men? what was their errand to thee, and their business to thee? what did they communicate to thee, or request of thee?

and from whence came they unto thee? from what country? these questions the prophet put to the king, not as ignorant of the men, and their business, and country, but in order to have everything from the king himself, and to lead on to further conversation with him on these things:

and Hezekiah said, they are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon; he makes no answer to the first question, but at once replies to the second, as being what his heart was lifted up with; that ambassadors should come to him from a very distant country, and from so famous and renowned a place as Babylon; which showed that his name was great in foreign parts, and was in high esteem in distant countries, and even so great a prince as the king of Babylon courted his friendship.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Then came Isaiah - Isaiah was accustomed to declare the will of God most freely to monarchs (see Isaiah 7:0)

What said these men? - What proposition have they made? What is the design of their coming? It is implied in the question that there had been some improper communication from them. To this question Hezekiah returned no answer.

And from whence came they? - It was doubtless known in Jerusalem that ambassadors had come, but it would not be likely to be known from what country they had come.

From a far country - Probably this was said in order to palliate and excuse his conducts, by intimating to the prophet that it was proper to show respectful attention to foreigners, and that he had done nothing more than was demanded by the laws of hospitality and kindness.


 
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