Bible Strands
2 Kings 20:16
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Isaiah speaks to King Hezekiah immediately after Hezekiah admits to displaying all his palace treasures to foreign envoys. The declaration functions as the opening pronouncement of a coming judgment.
The words — The phrase שְׁמַע דְּבַר יְהוָה (shema devar Yahweh) translates literally to “hear the word of Yahweh.” This imperative command serves as a formal prophetic marker introducing a direct divine message.
The thread — The identical formula appears in 1 Kings 22:19, 2 Kings 7:1, and Isaiah 1:10 as a standard prophetic introduction. Each instance signals that the prophet is relaying a message carrying full divine authority.
Why it lands — The command demands undivided attention before the announced consequence is delivered. It requires the listener to acknowledge the prophet as God’s authorized messenger and to face the stated reality without negotiation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 22:19 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.
- 2 Kings 7:1 Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’”
- Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
- Amos 7:16 Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD. You say: ‘Do not prophesy against Israel; do not preach against the house of Isaac.’