Old Testament
Isaiah 39:2
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Hezekiah was glad about them and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious ointment, his entire armory, and everything in his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
Compare translations
And 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.
What Isaiah 39:2 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, King Hezekiah is excited to receive visitors from Babylon and proudly displays all his wealth and treasures to them. He shows off his silver, gold, spices, and even his armory, revealing everything he possesses. This act of showing off his riches indicates a sense of pride and perhaps a desire to impress the visitors. However, it also raises questions about his judgment, as he exposes his kingdom's wealth to potential threats. The verse highlights the importance of humility and discretion, especially when it comes to sharing personal or national treasures. Hezekiah's actions serve as a reminder that boasting about our possessions can lead to vulnerability and may attract unwanted attention or envy from others.
How to apply Isaiah 39:2 to your life
This verse teaches us to be cautious about how we present our possessions and achievements. Instead of boasting, we should practice humility and be mindful of the potential consequences of our actions. Sharing our blessings can be good, but it should be done wisely and with discernment.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Isaiah's story: Envoys from Babylon (Isaiah 39:1–8)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Isaiah
Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Isaiah 39:2
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Isaiah 39:2
Related Bible verses
At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 39:2 mean?
Isaiah 39:2 describes King Hezekiah's pride as he shows Babylonian visitors all his wealth and treasures. This act reveals his desire to impress others but also raises concerns about his judgment in exposing his kingdom's riches.
What lessons can we learn from Isaiah 39:2?
Isaiah 39:2 teaches the importance of humility and discretion in sharing our possessions. It reminds us that while it's good to share blessings, we should be mindful of how we present them to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
What does the phrase 'precious things' refer to in Isaiah 39:2?
In Isaiah 39:2, 'precious things' refers to Hezekiah's valuable possessions, including silver, gold, spices, and ointments. This highlights the wealth and resources of his kingdom.
How does Isaiah 39:2 relate to the theme of vulnerability?
Isaiah 39:2 illustrates vulnerability by showing how Hezekiah's prideful display of wealth could attract envy or threats from others. It emphasizes the need for caution in revealing personal or national treasures.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.