This verse isn't just about a future threat; it's a sharp contrast to Hezekiah's prideful display. While he eagerly showed off his vast wealth to the Babylonian envoys, Isaiah reveals that this very treasure, accumulated over generations, will be plundered and taken away. It's a powerful reminder that what we boast about can become the very thing that leads to our downfall.
Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Hezekiah has just proudly shown Babylonian envoys all his kingdom's treasures, a display of wealth and power prompted by his recovery from illness. Isaiah confronts him, not with praise for his recovery, but with a stark prophecy of future judgment: all those treasures, and indeed everything in his house, will be carried off to Babylon. This isn't just about stolen goods; it foreshadows a much larger exile for his descendants.
The word 'Babylon' appears in this prophecy, but it wasn't always the primary threat. What makes this prediction so significant?
A Specificity Unseen Before
Before this moment in Isaiah 39, the prophecies about Israel's exile were more general.
But here, Isaiah brings a stark, specific clarity: Babylon is named. This marks the first time this particular nation is identified as the instrument of God's judgment on Judah. It’s a chilling preview of a future devastation, pinpointing the exact location of their suffering and oppression.
Hezekiah proudly displayed his wealth to the Babylonian envoys. What was the ultimate fate of those treasures, and what does it reveal about God's view of pride?
From Royal Vaults to Captive's Burden
Hezekiah's 'foolishness,' as some commentators note, was to show off everything in his house – his silver, gold, spices, precious ointments, armor, and treasures. This wasn't just a diplomatic courtesy; it was a display of Judah's wealth and strength.
Ask a follow-up
Isaiah's prophecy is a direct response to this prideful exhibition:
This isn't just about material possessions. It's about how misplaced pride and a reliance on earthly treasures blind us to God's sovereignty and lead to judgment.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His self-existence and faithfulness to His people. It is the name by which He entered into covenant relationship with Israel.
Babel · Hebrew Proper Noun
A city and empire that historically functioned as the arch-enemy of God’s people in the Old Testament. Symbolically, it often represents worldly power, rebellion against God, and the place of divine judgment and captivity.
saris · Hebrew Noun
Male individuals castrated or physically altered; in a royal context, they often served as trusted administrators or attendants in the inner courts of ancient Near Eastern monarchs.
This prophecy, given after Hezekiah's miraculous recovery and display of wealth to Babylon, is the first explicit mention of a Babylonian exile, a judgment that would fulfill God's warning about misplaced trust and pride.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah and besieks Jerusalem, but miraculously withdraws without conquering the city.
c. 701 BC
Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery
King Hezekiah falls gravely ill, but after prayer, God promises him 15 more years of life and miraculously reverses the sundial.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Babylonian Embassy to Hezekiah
Merodach-Baladan, king of Babylon, sends envoys to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery, but also to inquire about the miracle of the sundial.
c. 701 BC
Hezekiah Displays His Treasures
In pride and seeking alliance, Hezekiah shows the Babylonian envoys all his wealth and the royal armory, revealing Judah's resources.
c. 701 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy of Exile
The prophet Isaiah confronts Hezekiah, revealing that his treasures and descendants will be taken to Babylon, marking the first specific prophecy of this exile.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon begins its systematic deportation of Judah's elite, including Daniel and his companions, to Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the city and the Temple, and carries the remaining population into Babylonian exile.
This passage directly echoes Isaiah's prophecy, stating that all Hezekiah's treasures and those of his ancestors would be carried to Babylon, confirming the fulfillment of this forewarning.
2 Chronicles 36:17-21This account describes the ultimate Babylonian exile, where Nebuchadnezzar 'burned the house of the Lord' and 'carried Jerusalem into exile,' directly fulfilling the 'nothing shall be left' aspect of Isaiah's prophecy.
Jeremiah 25:9-11Jeremiah specifically prophesies that Nebuchadnezzar will come and conquer Egypt and other nations, and that he will bring the people of Judah and their treasures to Babylon for seventy years, aligning with Isaiah's prediction of the destination and scope of the judgment.
Daniel 1:1-2This passage details Nebuchadnezzar's initial invasion of Judah, where he took 'some of the vessels of the house of God' and 'some of the children of Israel' captive to Babylon, showing the beginning of the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.
barnesIsaiah 39:6: "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."
Behold, the days come - The captivity of the Jews in Babylon commenced about one hundred and twenty years after this prediction (compare Jeremiah 20:5 ). That all that is in thine house - That is, all the treasures that are in the treasure-house Isaiah 39:2. And that which thy fathers have laid…
clarkeIsaiah 39:6: "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."
To Babylon - בבלה babelah, so two MSS., (one ancient); rightly, without doubt as the other copy ( 2 Kings 20:17 ) has it. This prediction was fulfilled about one hundred and fifty years after it was spoken: see Daniel 1:2 , Daniel 1:3-7 . What a proof of Divine omniscience!
This verse isn't just about a future threat; it's a sharp contrast to Hezekiah's prideful display. While he eagerly showed off his vast wealth to the Babylonian envoys, Isaiah reveals that this very treasure, accumulated over generations, will be plundered and taken away. It's a powerful reminder that what we boast about can become the very thing that leads to our downfall.
Hezekiah has just proudly shown Babylonian envoys all his kingdom's treasures, a display of wealth and power prompted by his recovery from illness. Isaiah confronts him, not with praise for his recovery, but with a stark prophecy of future judgment: all those treasures, and indeed everything in his house, will be carried off to Babylon. This isn't just about stolen goods; it foreshadows a much larger exile for his descendants.
Hezekiah has just proudly shown Babylonian envoys all his kingdom's treasures, a display of wealth and power prompted by his recovery from illness. Isaiah confronts him, not with praise for his recovery, but with a stark prophecy of future judgment: all those treasures, and indeed everything in his house, will be carried off to Babylon. This isn't just about stolen goods; it foreshadows a much larger exile for his descendants.
"Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. And some of your own sons, who will come from you, wh…" — This verse isn't just about a future threat; it's a sharp contrast to Hezekiah's prideful display. While he eagerly showed off his vast wealth to the Babylonian envoys, Isaiah reveals that this very…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
