Isaiah 36 11

Isaiah 36:11 kjv

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.

Isaiah 36:11 nkjv

Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; and do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people who are on the wall."

Isaiah 36:11 niv

Then Eliakim, Shebna and Joah said to the field commander, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don't speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall."

Isaiah 36:11 esv

Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of Judah within the hearing of the people who are on the wall."

Isaiah 36:11 nlt

Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Assyrian chief of staff, "Please speak to us in Aramaic, for we understand it well. Don't speak in Hebrew, for the people on the wall will hear."

Isaiah 36 verses

Isaiah 36 11 Meaning

The verse signifies the request by the Judean officials for the Assyrian scribe (Rabshekeh) to speak in Aramaic rather than Hebrew. Their intent was to prevent the common people on the city wall from understanding the Assyrian's threatening words, thus preserving their morale and avoiding panic.

Isaiah 36 11 Context

This verse occurs within the historical account of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. Assyria, the dominant superpower of the era, had conquered many nations. Sennacherib's campaign against Jerusalem, detailed in chapters 36 and 37 of Isaiah (and paralleled in 2 Kings 18-19), was intended to bring Judah under Assyrian control. The Assyrian commander, Rabshekeh, is depicted attempting psychological warfare by speaking directly to the people of Jerusalem from the city walls, using intimidation and deceptive arguments to undermine their faith and resistance. The officials of Jerusalem understand the power of words and the potential for demoralization.

Isaiah 36 11 Word analysis

• "Then": Indicates the immediate following action.

• "Eliakim": Hebrew, "My God will establish." He was a high-ranking official in Hezekiah's court.

• "and": Connective.

• "Shebna": Hebrew, meaning uncertain, possibly "sweet-smelling" or "youthful." Initially a scribe, later demoted.

• "and": Connective.

• "Joah": Hebrew, "Yahweh holds." Another official.

• "said": Spoke.

• "to": Directing their words.

• "Rabshekeh": Assyrian title, meaning "chief cupbearer" or "chief eunuch," a high-ranking military and political official.

• "Please": A polite request, even in a tense situation.

• "speak": Address.

• "to": The recipients.

• "your": Possessive pronoun.

• "servants": Referring to themselves, a position of humility before a powerful official.

• "in": The language used.

• "Aramaic": An ancient Semitic language, widely used as a lingua franca in the Near East at that time. It was understood by the Judean elite.

• "for": Explaining the reason.

• "we": Themselves and those with them.

• "understand": Comprehend.

• "it": Aramaic.

• "Don't": A negative imperative.

• "speak": Utter words.

• "to": Direction of speech.

• "us": The officials.

• "in": The language used.

• "Hebrew": The language of Judah, the common tongue of the people.

• "in": Within the range or context.

• "the": Definite article.

• "hearing": Within earshot of.

• "of": Belonging to.

• "the": Definite article.

• "people": The common folk.

• "who": Relative pronoun.

• "are": State of being.

• "on": Positioned upon.

• "the": Definite article.

• "wall": The fortifications of Jerusalem.

• Group analysis: The request is strategic, aiming to control the flow of information. Speaking Aramaic was a deliberate act to shield the populace from demoralizing rhetoric, protecting their faith and resolve. It highlights the power of language in warfare and diplomacy.

Isaiah 36 11 Bonus Section

The incident also serves as a historical marker for the linguistic transition in the region. While Hebrew was the language of sacred texts and national identity, Aramaic was gaining prominence as the administrative and commercial language across the Assyrian Empire and later, the Babylonian and Persian empires. The ability of Judean officials to understand Aramaic reflects their integration into the broader political landscape of the ancient Near East. Furthermore, this event is a narrative precursor to the subsequent reliance on Aramaic as a primary spoken language for many Jews, especially during and after the Babylonian Exile, as documented in the books of Daniel and Ezra, and echoed in the New Testament period.

Isaiah 36 11 Commentary

The officials' request to Rabshekeh underscores their astute understanding of psychological warfare. They recognized that allowing Rabshekeh to address the populace in Hebrew would be an effective tactic to sow fear and division. By speaking Aramaic, a language of international diplomacy but not the common vernacular of Jerusalem, they aimed to contain the negative impact of his words. This reflects a tactical political decision, prioritizing the morale of the besieged city over direct engagement with the Assyrian's bluster in their own tongue. It demonstrates a careful consideration of how language can influence faith and resistance, revealing a strategy of information control.