2 Kings 20:13

Hezekiah Shows His Treasures · 2 Kings 20:12–19
Read 2 Kings 20

Translations

Modern
And Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his armory—all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
Traditional
And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all 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.
Literal
And Hezekiah listened to them and showed them all the house of his treasure—the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and and the house of his armor, and all that was found among his treasures. There was not a thing that Hezekiah did not show them in his house and in all his dominion.
Latin
Lætatus est autem in adventu eorum Ezechias, et ostendit eis domum aromatum, et aurum et argentum, et pigmenta varia, unguenta quoque, et domum vasorum suorum, et omnia quæ habere poterat in thesauris suis. Non fuit quod non monstraret eis Ezechias in domo sua, et in omni potestate sua.

Original

Hebrew
English
And Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his armory—all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.

Notes

  • Merodach-baladan ruled Babylon from 721 to 710 BC until Sargon of Assyria forced him to flee. He briefly ruled again in 703 BC. This visit likely happened during his exile; he probably sent envoys with good wishes and a gift because he needed an ally against Assyria.

  • There was nothing … Hezekiah did not show them: Hezekiah showed the Babylonian envoys his vast treasuries, which had not yet been sent to Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:13–16). However, his attempt to impress them was unwise (2 Kings 20:16–18).

In those days: This phrase gives a general time reference. It shows that the events are grouped by theme, not by strict order of time. The story about Merodach-baladan (2 Kings 20:12–19), who Sennacherib had expelled from Babylon before 701 BC, occurred before the events in chapters 18–19 but after Hezekiah's illness (2 Kings 20:12).

Theme notes and profiles

Babylon Hezekiah Isaiah

Events

Parallels

Isaiah 39:1–8

People

Hezekiah: A righteous king of Judah

Glossary

Assyria, Assyrians Babylon, Babylonia Balm, Balsam Hezekiah Incense Kings, Books of First and Second Merodach-Baladan Perfume

Topics

Anointing: Ointment For: Most Expensive Condolence: King of Babylon, to Hezekiah Curiosity of the Babylonians, to See Hezekiah's Treasures Hezekiah: King of Judah: His Lack of Wisdom in Showing his Resources to Commissioners of Babylon Isaiah: Reproves Hezekiah's Folly in Exhibiting his Resources to the Commissioners from Babylon Military Arms: Armouries Built For Ointment: Not Sacred Pride: Hezekiah, in Displaying his Resources Pride: Often Originates in Possession of Wealth Spices: Stores of Temptation: Yielding to Hezekiah The Rich: Hezekiah Treasure-Houses of Kings