The big picture
Isaiah 39 opens in verse 1 with “At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 4 with “Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in…”, and closes in verse 8 with “Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He…” Repeated or prominent terms include Hezekiah, house, Babylon, Isaiah, king. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Isaiah · King James Version · 8Isaiah 39:1-8
1–8: At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent…
Isaiah 39:1–8 opens with “At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present…” and reaches “Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Isaiah 39 develops its own movement around Hezekiah, house, Babylon, Isaiah, king, with particular weight carried by Hezekiah, house, Babylon.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had…” Naming Babylon and Baladan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:” Naming Hear and Hezekiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Isaiah 39:1-8
King James Version1At 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.
2And 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 armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
3Then 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.
4Then 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.
5Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:
6Behold, 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 .
7And 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.
8Then 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Isaiah 39:1 begins with “At 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…”
Where the chapter turns
Isaiah 39:4 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
Isaiah 39:8 leaves the reader with “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.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Hezekiah, house, Babylon, Isaiah, king, LORD help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What reasons does Joseph give for refusing?
He will not betray his master's trust or commit great wickedness against God.
What remains constant across house and prison?
The Lord's presence, explicitly repeated by the narrator, despite Joseph's changed circumstances.
KJV words made clear
- dominion
- responsibility or rule
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.