Isaiah Chapter 39 · Verse 7

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וּמִבָּנֶ֜יךָ And of thy sons H1121
וּמִבָּנֶ֜יךָ And of thy sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 1 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵצְא֧וּ that shall issue H3318
יֵצְא֧וּ that shall issue
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 3 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִמְּךָ֛ H4480
מִמְּךָ֛
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תּוֹלִ֖יד from thee which thou shalt beget H3205
תּוֹלִ֖יד from thee which thou shalt beget
Strong's: H3205
Word #: 6 of 12
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
יִקָּ֑חוּ shall they take away H3947
יִקָּ֑חוּ shall they take away
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 7 of 12
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וְהָיוּ֙ H1961
וְהָיוּ֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
סָרִיסִ֔ים and they shall be eunuchs H5631
סָרִיסִ֔ים and they shall be eunuchs
Strong's: H5631
Word #: 9 of 12
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
בְּהֵיכַ֖ל in the palace H1964
בְּהֵיכַ֖ל in the palace
Strong's: H1964
Word #: 10 of 12
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
מֶ֥לֶךְ of the king H4428
מֶ֥לֶךְ of the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 11 of 12
a king
בָּבֶֽל׃ of Babylon H894
בָּבֶֽל׃ of Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 12 of 12
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

Analysis & 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.

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection