This verse conveys God’s authoritative warning through His prophet, urging the king of Judah to heed what lies ahead.
In “Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of the LORD.’” (v.16), we find the prophet Isaiah directly addressing King Hezekiah with a solemn message that came straight from God. Hezekiah ruled the kingdom of Judah from approximately 715-686 B.C., a period marked by his sincere devotion to the LORD. This setting likely took place in Jerusalem, the capital city of Judah and a significant center of religious activity in the ancient Near East. Isaiah himself was a prophet who served from about 740-681 B.C., proclaiming God’s truths and warnings to several kings during a tumultuous time in Israel’s history.
The immediate context of this verse follows King Hezekiah’s recovery from a life-threatening illness and a visit from Babylonian envoys, an event that prompted God’s stern warning (2 Kings 20:12-18). By saying to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD,” (v.16), Isaiah underscores the importance and urgency of the divine message. It also serves as a reminder that God’s word will not be taken lightly, reflecting a sacred continuity with how the Lord’s spokesmen always delivered prophetic insight—sometimes carrying weighty pronouncements of judgment or events to come. This intention of calling for spiritual attentiveness finds resonance in the New Testament as Jesus likewise emphasizes the necessity of hearing and obeying God’s message (Matthew 7:24).
Isaiah’s pronouncement to a king deeply beloved by his people foreshadows the sobering future of Judah, warning of the eventual downfall and exile that would come under Babylon. In the broader biblical narrative, this demonstrates God’s sovereignty and faithfulness at work, even through dire warnings. Centuries later, Jesus would proclaim hope and redemption for all people, showing that God’s desire for repentance and restoration would ultimately lead to salvation (Luke 19:10).
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2 Kings 20:16 meaning
In “Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of the LORD.’” (v.16), we find the prophet Isaiah directly addressing King Hezekiah with a solemn message that came straight from God. Hezekiah ruled the kingdom of Judah from approximately 715-686 B.C., a period marked by his sincere devotion to the LORD. This setting likely took place in Jerusalem, the capital city of Judah and a significant center of religious activity in the ancient Near East. Isaiah himself was a prophet who served from about 740-681 B.C., proclaiming God’s truths and warnings to several kings during a tumultuous time in Israel’s history.
The immediate context of this verse follows King Hezekiah’s recovery from a life-threatening illness and a visit from Babylonian envoys, an event that prompted God’s stern warning (2 Kings 20:12-18). By saying to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD,” (v.16), Isaiah underscores the importance and urgency of the divine message. It also serves as a reminder that God’s word will not be taken lightly, reflecting a sacred continuity with how the Lord’s spokesmen always delivered prophetic insight—sometimes carrying weighty pronouncements of judgment or events to come. This intention of calling for spiritual attentiveness finds resonance in the New Testament as Jesus likewise emphasizes the necessity of hearing and obeying God’s message (Matthew 7:24).
Isaiah’s pronouncement to a king deeply beloved by his people foreshadows the sobering future of Judah, warning of the eventual downfall and exile that would come under Babylon. In the broader biblical narrative, this demonstrates God’s sovereignty and faithfulness at work, even through dire warnings. Centuries later, Jesus would proclaim hope and redemption for all people, showing that God’s desire for repentance and restoration would ultimately lead to salvation (Luke 19:10).