Isaiah 36:13 kjv
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.
Isaiah 36:13 nkjv
Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out with a loud voice in Hebrew, and said, "Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!
Isaiah 36:13 niv
Then the commander stood and called out in Hebrew, "Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!
Isaiah 36:13 esv
Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: "Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!
Isaiah 36:13 nlt
Then the chief of staff stood and shouted in Hebrew to the people on the wall, "Listen to this message from the great king of Assyria!
Isaiah 36 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 36:1 | Sennacherib... came against all the fenced cities of Judah and took them. | Historical event context |
| 2 Kings 18:17 | Sennacherib king of Assyria... came against Jerusalem. | Parallel account |
| 2 Chron 32:9 | Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria: “On what do you rely... | Similar challenge |
| Isa 7:1-9 | Trust in the Lord. | Conditional promise of deliverance |
| Isa 14:24-27 | Lord’s plan against Assyria. | Divine sovereignty over nations |
| Jer 17:5-8 | Curse on trusting man, blessing on trusting God. | Contrast in trust |
| Psa 118:8-9 | Better to trust in the Lord than in man or princes. | Theological principle |
| Psa 33:16-17 | No king saved by the size of his army. | Human strength vs. divine aid |
| Psa 20:7 | Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God. | Identifying true confidence |
| Isa 2:22 | Cease putting confidence in man. | Divine instruction |
| Ezek 29:6-7 | Egypt as a broken reed. | Symbolic depiction of Egypt |
| Luke 12:11-12 | Holy Spirit would speak through disciples when accused. | Divine empowerment in speech |
| Matt 10:19-20 | Do not worry about how or what to speak. | Jesus' instruction for witness |
| 1 Cor 1:27-29 | God chooses the weak to shame the strong. | Divine strategy |
| Rom 11:33-36 | Wisdom and knowledge of God. | God’s ultimate control |
| Rev 19:11-16 | Christ’s sovereign authority. | Christ’s supreme power |
| John 1:1 | The Word was with God. | Divine nature of the Word |
| Prov 18:21 | Tongue has power of life and death. | Power of speech |
| Gal 1:8-9 | Cursing those who preach a different gospel. | Spiritual authority in speech |
| Eph 5:19 | Speaking to one another with psalms and hymns. | Godly communication |
Isaiah 36 verses
Isaiah 36 13 Meaning
This verse emphasizes the deliberate and authoritative tone of the Assyrian Rabshakeh. He commands the people of Jerusalem to speak to their king, conveying his disdain for their trust in Egypt and their perceived reliance on a broken reed. This act is intended to intimidate and divide the people of Judah, breaking their spirit before the military assault.
Isaiah 36 13 Context
Isaiah 36 and 37 record a pivotal moment during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. The Assyrian king Sennacherib had invaded Judah and captured many of its cities. The Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, was sent to Jerusalem to demand unconditional surrender. This verse is part of the Rabshakeh’s intimidating speech delivered in Hebrew to the people on the wall, outside the city gates, so they could hear and relay his message to Hezekiah. The aim was to demoralize the Judeans and break their will to resist, specifically by undermining their faith in God and their reliance on Egypt.
Isaiah 36 13 Word Analysis
- Speak ye (dbrw): From dabar, to speak, say, tell. Imperative plural, direct command.
- now: Indicates immediacy, pressing the demand.
- to the king: Hezekiah, the current ruler of Judah.
- and tell him: Repeat the message, ensuring it reaches the ultimate authority.
- thus says: A formal, authoritative pronouncement, common in royal and prophetic speech.
- your master: Rabshakeh uses this to assert Assyrian dominance and de-legitimize Hezekiah’s rule.
- king of Assyria: Identifying himself as representing the most powerful empire of the time.
- this great king, the king of Assyria: Emphasizing Assyria’s power and might.
- What is this confidence: Rhetorical question, expressing contempt for Judah's trust.
- wherein ye trust: The basis of their hope.
- that you trust: Repeating the accusation, making it clear what he is attacking.
- in Egypt: Identifying the specific object of their perceived misplaced trust, referring to their reliance on military aid from Egypt.
- that broken reed: Metaphorical insult. A reed bends easily and breaks when pressure is applied, offering no support. Egypt, historically a great power, was seen by the Assyrians as internally weak and unreliable, unable to assist Judah effectively.
- if a man leaneth thereon: Illustrating the consequence of such misplaced trust – pain and vulnerability.
- it will go into his hand and pierce him: A graphic description of how reliance on Egypt would lead to severe damage and suffering.
Word Groups/Phrases:
- "thus says your master, the king of Assyria": This phrase is designed to assert authority and de-legitimize Judah's king by presenting Sennacherib as the ultimate sovereign.
- "What is this confidence wherein ye trust?": This is a condescending rhetorical question aimed at shaking the Judeans' faith by questioning the foundation of their hope.
- "that broken reed, even Egypt": This metaphor vividly illustrates Egypt's weakness and unreliability, intended to shatter Judah's hope in their supposed ally.
- "if a man leaneth thereon, it will go into his hand and pierce him": This chilling analogy serves as a stark warning, portraying the disastrous outcome of relying on Egypt, suggesting betrayal and harm.
Isaiah 36 13 Bonus Section
The Rabshakeh's strategy reflects a broader pattern of conquerors attempting to demoralize besieged cities by exploiting their internal doubts and external alliances. His direct communication also demonstrates the Assyrian tactic of intimidation through speech before or during military action. The chapter continues to show Hezekiah’s faithfulness by taking the Rabshakeh's blasphemous words to the Lord in prayer, emphasizing that ultimate trust resides not in political or military strength, but in divine intervention.
Isaiah 36 13 Commentary
The Rabshakeh’s words are a masterclass in psychological warfare. By directly addressing the people and speaking in their language (Hebrew), he aims to bypass their leadership and sow dissent. His rhetoric is designed to ridicule and belittle Judah’s trust in God and Egypt. The metaphor of Egypt as a "broken reed" is potent, highlighting the folly of depending on a human alliance when divine protection is available. This incident serves as a test of faith for Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem, a challenge echoed throughout scripture where human alliances are consistently contrasted with unwavering trust in the Lord.