King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 20:13 Mean?

2 Kings 20:13 in the King James Version says “And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and th... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. precious things: or, spicery armour: or, jewels: Heb. vessels

2 Kings 20:13 · KJV


Context

11

And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. dial: Heb. degrees

12

At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. Berodachbaladan: or, Merodachbaladan

13

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. precious things: or, spicery armour: or, jewels: Heb. vessels

14

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, even from Babylon.

15

And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 20 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery) reflects the historical reality of genuine religious reform under Hezekiah, including trust in God that resulted in miraculous deliverance from Assyria. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 20 regarding god's mercy and human presumption?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 35 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע1 of 35

hearkened

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

עֲלֵיהֶם֮2 of 35
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ3 of 35

And Hezekiah

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

הֶרְאָ֧ם4 of 35

shewed

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת5 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל6 of 35
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּבֵית֖וֹ7 of 35

and all the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

נְכֹתֹ֡ה8 of 35

of his precious things

H5238

spicery, i.e., (generally) valuables

אֶת9 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכֶּסֶף֩10 of 35

the silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְאֶת11 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַזָּהָ֨ב12 of 35

and the gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וְאֶת13 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַבְּשָׂמִ֜ים14 of 35

and the spices

H1314

fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant

וְאֵ֣ת׀15 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שֶׁ֣מֶן16 of 35

ointment

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

הַטּ֗וֹב17 of 35

and the precious

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְאֵת֙18 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּבֵית֖וֹ19 of 35

and all the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כֵּלָ֔יו20 of 35

of his armour

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

וְאֵ֛ת21 of 35
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל22 of 35
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר23 of 35
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִמְצָ֖א24 of 35

and all that was found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְּאֽוֹצְרֹתָ֑יו25 of 35

in his treasures

H214

a depository

לֹֽא26 of 35
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָיָ֣ה27 of 35
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דָבָ֗ר28 of 35

there was nothing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲ֠שֶׁר29 of 35
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא30 of 35
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הֶרְאָ֧ם31 of 35

shewed

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ32 of 35

And Hezekiah

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

בְּבֵית֖וֹ33 of 35

and all the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וּבְכָל34 of 35
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽוֹ׃35 of 35

nor in all his dominion

H4475

rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 20:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 20:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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