1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, [that] Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.
2 And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field.
3 Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah’s son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph’s son, the recorder.
4 And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence [is] this wherein thou trustest?
5 I say, [sayest thou], (but [they are but] vain words) [I have] counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
6 Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
7 But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: [is it] not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?
8 Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
9 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
10 And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
11 Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand [it]: and speak not to us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that [are] on the wall.
12 But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? [hath he] not [sent me] to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?
13 Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.
14 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.
15 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make [an agreement] with me [by] a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
17 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.
18 [Beware] lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
19 Where [are] the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where [are] the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?
20 Who [are they] among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?
21 But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
22 Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
Context of Isaiah Chapter 36
Isaiah Chapter 36 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Isaiah, marking a significant moment in the history of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. This chapter transitions from prophetic messages to a historical narrative, focusing on the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem.
Key Characters
- Hezekiah: The King of Judah, known for his religious reforms and efforts to strengthen Jerusalem against Assyrian aggression.
- Rabshakeh: A high-ranking Assyrian official, serving as the spokesperson for King Sennacherib, who delivers a message of intimidation to the people of Jerusalem.
- Sennacherib: The King of Assyria, known for his military campaigns and conquests, particularly against the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
- The people of Jerusalem: The inhabitants of the city who are faced with the threat of invasion and must grapple with fear and uncertainty.
Summary of Events
- Assyrian Invasion: The chapter begins with the Assyrian army laying siege to Jerusalem, highlighting the military might of Sennacherib.
- Rabshakeh’s Address: Rabshakeh is sent to speak to the people of Jerusalem, delivering a message intended to instill fear and undermine their confidence in Hezekiah and their God.
- Mockery of Judah’s Trust: Rabshakeh mocks the alliances Judah has formed, particularly with Egypt, and questions the effectiveness of their faith in God.
- Appeal to Reason: He urges the people to surrender, arguing that their situation is hopeless and that resistance will only lead to destruction.
- Promise of Safety: Rabshakeh offers the people a false promise of safety and prosperity if they surrender to the Assyrians.
Theological Themes
- Faith vs. Fear: The chapter illustrates the tension between faith in God and the fear of human powers, as the people of Jerusalem are confronted with overwhelming odds.
- God’s Sovereignty: Implicit in Rabshakeh’s speech is the challenge to God’s sovereignty, as he claims that no god has been able to save any nation from the Assyrians.
- Human Agency: The chapter emphasizes the choices faced by the people of Judah, highlighting the importance of their response to the threats they encounter.
Literary Devices
- Rhetorical Questions: Rabshakeh employs rhetorical questions to undermine the confidence of the people, challenging their beliefs and alliances.
- Irony: There is a stark irony in the Assyrian official’s claims that their gods have defeated other nations, juxtaposed with the biblical narrative of God’s sovereignty over all nations.
- Direct Speech: The use of direct speech in Rabshakeh’s address adds immediacy and intensity to the narrative, allowing readers to grasp the psychological warfare being waged.
Historical Significance
This chapter is significant not only for its theological implications but also for its historical context. The Assyrian Empire was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, and their siege of Jerusalem represents a critical moment in the history of Judah. The events of this chapter set the stage for God’s intervention and the subsequent deliverance of Jerusalem, which is elaborated upon in the following chapters.
Conclusion
Isaiah Chapter 36 serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges of faith in the face of adversity. The confrontation between Rabshakeh and the people of Jerusalem encapsulates the broader themes of trust, fear, and divine sovereignty that resonate throughout the book of Isaiah. This chapter not only recounts a historical event but also invites readers to reflect on their own responses to crises and the nature of their faith.
