Isaiah 39:3

Authorized King James Version

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 unto me, even from Babylon.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בָּ֥אוּ
Then came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ
Isaiah
jeshajah, the name of seven israelites
#3
הַנָּבִ֔יא
the prophet
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
unto king
a king
#6
חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ
Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#7
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
אֵלָ֜יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
מָ֥ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#10
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
these men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#12
הָאֵ֗לֶּה
these or those
#13
וּמֵאַ֙יִן֙
and from whence
where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)
#14
בָּ֥אוּ
Then came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#15
אֵלֶ֔יךָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#17
חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ
Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#18
מֵאֶ֧רֶץ
country
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#19
רְחוֹקָ֛ה
from a far
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
#20
בָּ֥אוּ
Then came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#21
אֵלַ֖י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#22
מִבָּבֶֽל׃
unto me even from Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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