Isaiah 39:1

CHAPTER XXXIX

The Babylonish monarch sends letters of congratulation and a

present to Hezekiah, on account of his recovery from his late

dangerous illness, 1.

The king of Judah shows the messengers of Merodach-baladan all

the treasures of his house and kingdom, 2.

The prophet takes occasion from this ostentatious display of

the king to predict the captivity of the royal family, and of

the people, by the Babylonians, 3-8.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXXIX

Hitherto the copy of this history in the second book of Kings has been much the most correct; in this chapter that in Isaiah has the advantage. In the two first verses two mistakes in the other copy are to be corrected from this: for הזקיהו hizkiyahu, read ויחזק vayechezek, and was recovered; and for וישמע vaiyishma, he heard, read וישמח vaiyismach, he rejoiced.

Verse Isaiah 39:1. At that time Merodach-baladan] This name is variously written in the MSS. Berodach, Medorach, Medarech, and Medurach.

"And ambassadors"] The Septuagint add here και πρεσβεις; that is, ומלאכים umalachim, and ambassadors; which word seems to be necessary to the sense, though omitted in the Hebrew text both here and in the other copy, 2 Kings 20:12. For the subsequent narration refers to them all along, "these men, whence came they?" c. plainly supposing them to have been personally mentioned before. See Houbigant.