Definition: 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, [even] from Babylon.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling part of the Bible. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This passage tells us that Babylon was sending messengers to King Hezekiah. It’s a message of impending doom and a warning about a terrible future. Let’s unpack it further: “Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah…” – This means Isaiah, a prophet known for speaking truth, went to King Hezekiah. “…and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?” – Hezekiah was asking Isaiah why these people were coming to him. They were essentially delivering a message of something that was happening. “And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country…” – This is the core of the message. Hezekiah recognized that these messengers weren't coming from his land or his kingdom. They were coming from a place very distant - Babylon. What does this mean? Babylon was a powerful and often oppressive nation: Throughout much of biblical history, Babylon was a major city-state in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) that wielded immense power, wealth, and influence. It was known for its cruelty and its control over many people. The message is a warning about Babylonian influence: Isaiah’s words are a clear signal that Babylon was becoming increasingly influential and potentially hostile to Judah (the kingdom of Israel). It suggests a growing threat and a loss of independence. It implies a disruption of the balance of power: The fact that Babylon was sending messengers suggests a shift in the geopolitical landscape, possibly with the intention of destabilizing or challenging Hezekiah’s authority. In short, this verse is a dramatic prediction of a significant threat – a powerful empire from a faraway land that could eventually cause problems for Judah. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Provide context about the time period when this verse was written? Discuss the significance of the prophecy itself?