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Monday, July 21st, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible

Isaiah 39:3

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!

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."
Berean Standard Bible
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."
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."
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

1 At that time, Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah, - for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick, and had recovered. 2 And Hezekiah, rejoiced over them, and showed them his house of precious things - the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious ointment and all his armoury - and all that was found among his treasures, - there was nothing, which Hezekiah, did not show them - in his house or in all his dominion. 3 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! 4 And he said, What have they seen in thy house? Then said Hezekiah, - All that is in my house, have they seen, there is nothing which I shewed them not among my treasures.

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
And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech, with Phicol chieftain of his host, spake unto Abraham, saying, - God, is with thee in all that, thou art doing.
Genesis 26:24
And Yahweh appeared unto him the same night, and said, I, am the God of Abraham thy father, - Do not fear for with thee, am, I, And I will bless thee and multiply thy seed, For the sake of Abraham my servant.
Genesis 26:28
And they said: We, saw plainly, that Yahweh was with thee, so we said, Let there be we pray thee an oath betwixt us both, betwixt us and thee, - and let us solemnise a covenant with thee: -
Genesis 30:27
And Laban said unto him, If, I pray thee, I have found favour in thine eyes, …I have divined that Yahweh hath blessed me for thy sake.
Genesis 30:30
For it was, little I that thou hadst - before I came and then it brake forth into multitude, and Yahweh blessed thee at my every step. Now, therefore, when am, I, also to do something for my own house?
Genesis 39:7
And it came to pass after these things, that his lord's wife lifted up her eyes unto Joseph, - and she said - Come! lie with me.
Genesis 39:8
And he refused and said unto his lord's wife, Lo! my lord, taketh no note with me as to what is in the house, - but, all that pertaineth to him, hath he delivered into my hand:
Genesis 39:15
And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted high my voice, and cried out, then left he his garment beside me, and fled and gut forth outside.
Genesis 39:16
So she laid by his garment beside her, - until his lord should come into his house,
Genesis 39:23
After nothing, was the chief of the prison looking, of whatever was in his hand, - in that Yahweh, was with him, and whatsoever, he was doing, Yahweh, was causing to prosper.

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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