Isaiah 36 10

Isaiah 36:10 kjv

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.

Isaiah 36:10 nkjv

Have I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? The LORD said to me, 'Go up against this land, and destroy it.' "

Isaiah 36:10 niv

Furthermore, have I come to attack and destroy this land without the LORD? The LORD himself told me to march against this country and destroy it.'?"

Isaiah 36:10 esv

Moreover, is it without the LORD that I have come up against this land to destroy it? The LORD said to me, "Go up against this land and destroy it."'"

Isaiah 36:10 nlt

What's more, do you think we have invaded your land without the LORD's direction? The LORD himself told us, 'Attack this land and destroy it!'"

Isaiah 36 verses

Isaiah 36 10 Meaning

This verse signifies God’s direct intervention and provision for His people, preventing them from succumbing to the powerful Assyrian forces through drought. He actively controls natural elements to sustain Jerusalem.

Isaiah 36 10 Context

This chapter is part of the narrative where Sennacherib, king of Assyria, has conquered many cities of Judah and is now threatening Jerusalem. Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, has been sent by Sennacherib to taunt King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem, attempting to demoralize them and persuade them to surrender. Hezekiah, upon hearing Rabshakeh's blasphemous words, despairs and turns to God, sending his own officials to seek the counsel of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah, in response, pronounces God's judgment on Assyria and assures Hezekiah that Jerusalem will be saved.

Verse 10, however, is actually spoken by Rabshakeh as part of his arrogant defiance against God and His people. He is arrogantly questioning the validity of Hezekiah's trust in the Lord, highlighting that other nations who trusted their gods did not receive deliverance from the Assyrian might. He essentially tells Hezekiah not to listen to those who would advise him to trust in the Lord. The divine promise of salvation, as found in the verses that follow (Isaiah 37), directly contradicts Rabshakeh's presumptuous claim.

Isaiah 36 10 Word Analysis

• and Hezekiah hearken not unto you:

  • "Hezekiah" (חִזְקִיָּה, Chizkiyyahu): Means "Yah is strength." A godly king of Judah.
  • "hearken not" (וְלֹא־יַאֲמִן, v’lo-ya’amin): "and not believe" or "and not trust." This highlights Hezekiah’s defiance of Rabshakeh’s counsel, implying a trust in Yahweh rather than surrender.

• Let not your master that ye serve deceive you:

  • "master" (אֲדֹנֵיכֶם, adoneichem): Lord, master. Refers to Sennacherib.
  • "serve" (תַּעַבְדוּן, ta’avdun): "you serve" or "you work for." Emphasizes the subservient relationship of the Assyrian soldiers to their king.
  • "deceive you" (יַשְׁלֶה, yashleh): "to mislead," "to lead astray," "to beguile." Rabshakeh suggests Sennacherib is giving false hope.

• nor your servants hear of it:

  • "your servants" (עַבְדֵיכֶם, avdeychem): This refers to Rabshakeh's own soldiers and, by extension, those who might hear of the conversation.
  • "hear of it" (לִשְׁמֹעַ, lishmo’a): To hear. This part of the sentence is somewhat confusing if taken literally in isolation as spoken by Rabshakeh, as it's unclear who "it" refers to or why his servants hearing it would be a problem in this context. However, within the broader context of persuasive speech, it can be interpreted as Rabshakeh implying that if the people surrender, their servitude will continue and the news of their defeat might be heard. More commonly understood is Rabshakeh's statement to Hezekiah's officials, conveying that Sennacherib doesn't want Hezekiah to listen to those who tell him not to surrender.

• For thus saith king of Assyria:

  • "king of Assyria" (מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר, Melech-Ashshur): Sennacherib, the formidable ruler of the Neo-Assyrian Empire.
  • "thus saith" (כֹּה־אָמַר, ko-’amar): A formal prophetic or royal declaration formula, ironically used by Rabshakeh to convey Sennacherib's pronouncement.

• Let not your master that ye serve deceive you, nor your servants hear of it. (This is a repetition for emphasis from the latter part of verse 9, slightly rephrased to ensure its meaning is captured here in its entirety, as the original request implies comprehensive coverage.) The Assyrian king is asserting that his actions and promises should be trusted over any divine assurance Hezekiah might rely upon.

• Group analysis: Rabshakeh's statement is a masterful piece of psychological warfare. He uses the authority of his king ("thus saith king of Assyria") and plays on the fears of the Judahites. He suggests that any message of hope from Hezekiah's trusted advisors or from God Himself is a deception. He paints a picture of Assyrian invincibility, suggesting that submission is the only logical course of action and that any other expectation is a form of self-deception. The use of "master" and "serve" also attempts to remind them of the futility of resisting a power they are expected to be subordinate to.

Isaiah 36 10 Bonus Section

The historical context reveals that Rabshakeh's taunts were a common Assyrian tactic. The Assyrians believed their military might was divinely sanctioned and used blasphemous language to demoralize their enemies. They often highlighted the impotence of other nations' gods against Assyria to promote submission to their own king, who they saw as the supreme representative of divine power on earth. The contrast between Rabshakeh's boastful claims and Isaiah's prophetic assurances in the subsequent chapter highlights the fundamental conflict between human pride and divine sovereignty. The Lord’s subsequent miraculous intervention demonstrates His power not only over earthly armies but also over nature itself.

Isaiah 36 10 Commentary

Rabshakeh, as Sennacherib's emissary, boldly dismisses Hezekiah's faith in the Lord. He declares that "thus saith the king of Assyria," employing a rhetorical device normally used by prophets to lend authority to divine messages. His words are meant to instill fear and doubt in the hearts of Jerusalem’s inhabitants. He warns Hezekiah not to be misled by any advice advocating reliance on God, implying that the powerful Assyrian empire will inevitably triumph, as it has over other nations and their deities. Rabshakeh's speech is a direct challenge to God's power and His covenant with Israel, attempting to usurp divine authority with earthly might and deception. He questions the faithfulness of Yahweh, suggesting He is no different from the gods of the conquered nations.