Isaiah 36 3

Isaiah 36:3 kjv

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.

Isaiah 36:3 nkjv

And Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came out to him.

Isaiah 36:3 niv

Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went out to him.

Isaiah 36:3 esv

And there came out to him Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.

Isaiah 36:3 nlt

These are the officials who went out to meet with them: Eliakim son of Hilkiah, the palace administrator; Shebna the court secretary; and Joah son of Asaph, the royal historian.

Isaiah 36 verses

Isaiah 36 3 Meaning

This verse describes the actions of Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, as he approaches Jerusalem. His intent is to confront King Hezekiah, and to do so, he seeks out specific individuals: the sons of Hezekiah. The primary purpose of seeking them is to deliver a message from his master, the king of Assyria.

Isaiah 36 3 Context

Isaiah chapter 36 marks a shift in the narrative, introducing an external threat. Assyria, under Sennacherib, has conquered many cities in Judah, and now Rabshakeh, a chief emissary, is sent to Jerusalem to demand unconditional surrender from King Hezekiah. This is a strategic psychological warfare tactic. Rabshakeh is positioned before the city walls to demoralize the people and king with intimidating words. Hezekiah, despite his faith and earlier reforms, faces a severe test of trust in God and in his kingdom's defense. The events leading up to this involved Sennacherib's campaigns and Hezekiah's seeking of alliance, which ultimately proved insufficient.

Isaiah 36 3 Word Analysis

• And (וְ - wə) - A conjunction, linking this verse to the preceding action.
• there (שָׁם - shām) - A locative adverb, indicating the place.
• came (בָּא - bā') - Verb in the Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular. Denotes arrival or coming.
• Rabshakeh (רַבְשָׁקֵה - Rabshāqēh) - Proper noun. Likely a title meaning "chief cupbearer" or "chief of the officials."
• from (מִן - min) - A preposition, indicating origin or source.
• Lachish (לָכִישׁ - Lāḵīš) - Proper noun, a significant fortified city in Judah conquered by Assyria.
• to (אֶל - 'el) - A preposition indicating direction or destination.
• Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלִַם - Yərūšālaiem) - Proper noun, the capital city of Judah.
• and (וְ - wə) - Conjunction.
• stood (עָמַד - ʿāmad) - Verb in the Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine singular. To stand, stand fast, remain.
• upon (עַל - ʿal) - A preposition, signifying position or atop.
• the highway (מְקוֹר - məqōr or often contextually pathway/source of water, but here more generally a public way/causeway) - Noun, masculine singular. A conduit or place of origin, implying a prominent, public path.
• of (שֶׁל - šeL) - Possessive particle.
• the Fullers’ field (שְׂדֵה הַכּוֹבֵס - śəḏēh hakkōḇēś) - Noun, masculine singular + definite article + Noun, masculine singular. The place associated with the process of cleaning and preparing cloth, signifying a known public area outside the city walls where work was done.

Group Analysis

• "came Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem": This phrase establishes the aggressor's presence and the target. Lachish being mentioned underscores the progression of Assyrian conquest, indicating that the previous strongholds had already fallen, increasing the psychological pressure on Jerusalem.
• "and stood upon the highway of the Fullers’ field": This placement is strategic. The highway signifies a main road, a public thoroughfare, chosen to maximize visibility and intimidation. The "Fullers' field" implies a place associated with ordinary people and their labor, highlighting the public nature of this confrontation and the intent to display power before the populace and defenders. It’s a deliberate, public challenge meant to broadcast the Assyrian threat and degrade the Jewish defenses.

Isaiah 36 3 Bonus Section

The specific mention of the "Fullers' field" has thematic relevance. Fulling was a labor-intensive process to cleanse and thicken wool fabrics. Its mention here, a place of manual work, contrasts sharply with the brute force and impending destruction represented by the Assyrian army. It may also symbolize a call to purification or readiness. Rabshakeh's presence in such a place, a symbolic hub of the common people, is an affront to their daily lives and livelihoods, meant to amplify the message of impending subjugation and loss of national identity. The boldness of his actions—publicly challenging the king and demanding capitulation outside the city walls—is a direct affront to Jerusalem's sanctity and its role as the city of God.

Isaiah 36 3 Commentary

Rabshakeh's actions are a calculated display of power and an attempt to instill fear and doubt in Jerusalem. By approaching from a conquered city (Lachish) and positioning himself at a prominent public location outside the walls, he aims to overawe the inhabitants. His demand is for a parley with Hezekiah's representatives. This tactic mirrors psychological warfare strategies employed throughout history, leveraging the intimidation factor of a visible military presence and a clear, if arrogant, communication. The choice of location is deliberate, not random; it is a public stage set for Assyria's dominance.