Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good”: This response of Hezekiah appears unusual right after the LORD’s judgment. It would seem as though he is happy to hear that he will lose all Judah’s treasures and that some of his descendants will become eunuchs in Babylonia.

However, the reason for Hezekiah’s reaction is given in the second half of the verse: For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.” He was happy to hear the prophet’s news since it would not affect him; he would continue to live in peace and safety. Selfishly he doesn’t appear to care what happens to the national treasury or to his descendants after he has died. Instead of he thought (literally “he said”), Bible en français courant says “He said to himself,” which also fits the context well. The Hebrew word for peace (shalom) is a broad term that also refers to a state of communal harmony, not just the absence of strife and conflict (see the comments at 26.12 and 32.17). The Hebrew word rendered security (literally “truth”) is another broad term. In this context it refers to stability and safety. The words peace and security together point to the ideal situation for any nation. In my days refers to Hezekiah’s own lifetime. We may also say “as long as I’m alive” or “while I am alive.” Hezekiah’s reaction to Isaiah’s message may be rendered “At least I will enjoy peace and security for the rest of my life!”

Good News Translation reverses the two halves of this verse for a better flow of thought in English. It makes the king’s response seem less unusual, because the reason for it is given first. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch also makes him look better by rendering the whole verse as “Hezekiah said: ‘I submit to the decision of the LORD.’ And he added: ‘If only during my lifetime at least peace and security will prevail!’” Translators may choose this kind of rendering, because it will make the king’s initial words look less surprising. Several other translation models for this verse are:

• Then King Hezekiah told Isaiah, “Yahweh’s message is positive.” He said this because he realized that there would be peace and security throughout his lifetime.

• Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah that Yahweh’s message was a good one since he now knew that he would enjoy peace and security as long as he lived.

• Hezekiah told Isaiah: “I accept the LORD’s word.” And he said to himself: “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime!”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .