King James Version

What Does Isaiah 39:7 Mean?

Isaiah 39:7 in the King James Version says “And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in t... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And 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.

Isaiah 39:7 · KJV


Context

5

Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:

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.

7

And 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.

8

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away—the prophecy targets Hezekiah's descendants specifically. The phrase that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget (אֲשֶׁר יֵצְאוּ מִמְּךָ אֲשֶׁר תּוֹלִיד, asher yetse'u mimmekha asher tolid) emphasizes direct lineage—your own biological offspring. This personally connects judgment to Hezekiah's prideful display.

Shall they take away (יִקָּחוּ, yiqachu)—Babylon will seize them. And they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon (וְהָיוּ סָרִיסִים בְּהֵיכַל מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל, vehayu sarisim beheikhal melekh Bavel)—the ultimate humiliation. Sarisim (eunuchs/court officials) could mean literal castration or high court officials, but the term carries connotations of emasculation and servitude. Royal sons would serve the very king Hezekiah tried to impress.

This was precisely fulfilled in Daniel and his companions (Daniel 1:3-7)—young men of royal/noble descent taken to Babylon, trained in Babylonian ways, given Babylonian names, and made to serve in Nebuchadnezzar's court. The prophecy shows how attempting to secure political advantage through human wisdom apart from God leads to the opposite result: dependence becomes captivity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Fulfilled 115+ years after Isaiah spoke it, when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem (605-586 BC). Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (renamed Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego) were among the first exiles (605 BC, Daniel 1:1-6). The text says they were of 'the king's seed, and of the princes' (Daniel 1:3). Later exiles included King Jehoiachin and his sons (2 Kings 24:12-15). The prophecy's precise fulfillment demonstrates God's sovereignty over history and the serious consequences of pride and faithless political maneuvering.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the fulfillment of this prophecy 115+ years later teach about God's sovereignty over history and His faithfulness to His word?
  2. How does the irony of Hezekiah's sons serving Babylon (the very nation he tried to impress) illustrate the principle that pride brings humiliation?
  3. What warning does this give about making alliances, decisions, or displays of strength without first seeking God's counsel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וּמִבָּנֶ֜יךָ1 of 12

And of thy sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲשֶׁ֨ר2 of 12
H834

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

יֵצְא֧וּ3 of 12

that shall issue

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמְּךָ֛4 of 12
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 12
H834

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

תּוֹלִ֖יד6 of 12

from thee which thou shalt beget

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

יִקָּ֑חוּ7 of 12

shall they take away

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְהָיוּ֙8 of 12
H1961

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

סָרִיסִ֔ים9 of 12

and they shall be eunuchs

H5631

a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state

בְּהֵיכַ֖ל10 of 12

in the palace

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

מֶ֥לֶךְ11 of 12

of the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶֽל׃12 of 12

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Isaiah 39:7 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 Isaiah 39:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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