Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD by saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Assyrian commander isn't just dismissing Hezekiah's words; he's directly attacking the idea of trusting God, framing it as a foolish deception that will lead to ruin. He's trying to make God's promises sound like empty rhetoric, not a sure foundation.
Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD by saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Sennacherib of Assyria's commander is speaking directly to the people of Jerusalem, attempting to demoralize them as they're under siege. He's quoting King Hezekiah, trying to twist his encouragement and faith in the Lord into a foolish boast, so they'll surrender to avoid further suffering. This speech happens just before Sennacherib's forces try to breach the city walls, and it's a critical moment of spiritual and psychological warfare.
Imagine standing on the city walls, hearing the enemy commander's voice booming through a megaphone. He's not just threatening; he's trying to break your spirit before the first arrow flies. This is psychological warfare.
The Assyrian commander's words to Jerusalem weren't just a boast; they were a calculated strategy. By mocking Hezekiah's trust in the LORD, he aimed to sow doubt and fear among the people.
Undermining Faith
He understood that faith could be a powerful weapon. If he could make the people believe that trusting in their God was foolish, he could weaken their resolve. His goal was to make them think their situation was hopeless and that surrender was the only logical option.
The Power of Words
This shows how crucial words are in conflict, even spiritual conflict. The enemy still uses words today to make us doubt God’s promises and His ability to deliver us.
The Assyrian commander presented himself as the ultimate power, the one who held everyone's fate in his hands. But was he really?
The commander’s speech is a stark contrast between false confidence and true hope. He represents the power of this world – military might, political maneuvering, and intimidation.
Assyria's Track Record
He boasts about his nation's successes against other gods and nations. This wasn't just bragging; it was a historical record meant to prove his invincibility. He wanted Jerusalem to feel like just another conquest.
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God's Unfailing Promise
In contrast, Hezekiah’s words, though challenged, were rooted in a covenant relationship with the living God. The true battle was for the people's allegiance – would they trust the powerful empire or the powerful God?
Understand the original words
batach · Hebrew Verb
An act of firm reliance on God's character, promises, and power. It is the opposite of self-reliance or reliance on human strength; it is the fundamental response of faith to the covenant relationship with God.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His faithfulness to His people. It signifies the self-existent, eternal God who enters into a relationship with His creation.
This verse captures the taunting words of an Assyrian commander during a devastating siege. It highlights the intense pressure King Hezekiah and his people faced, where their faith in God was directly challenged by the overwhelming military might of the Assyrian empire.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Kingdom
Assyria, under Tiglath-Pileser III, conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to deportations and the end of the northern ten tribes as a distinct entity.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The capital city of the northern kingdom, Samaria, falls to the Assyrians under Shalmaneser V and Sargon II, completing the destruction of Israel.
c. 705 BC
Sennacherib becomes King of Assyria
Sennacherib ascends to the Assyrian throne, inheriting a vast empire and continuing its expansionist policies.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Sennacherib launches a major campaign against the rebellious kingdoms of the Levant, including Judah. He conquers many Judean cities and lays siege to Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
Sennacherib's forces surround Jerusalem. The Assyrian commander mocks King Hezekiah and the people, urging them to surrender and not trust the LORD.
c. 701 BC
Jerusalem Saved
The siege of Jerusalem is mysteriously lifted. Accounts vary, but biblical narrative points to divine intervention through a plague that decimated the Assyrian army.
This is the exact same message delivered by the Rabshakeh, showing how the Assyrian taunt against trusting God was a repeated tactic.
2 Kings 19:10-13This passage directly quotes the Rabshakeh's challenge, highlighting the specific accusations leveled against Hezekiah and the people for relying on the Lord.
Psalm 78:41This verse speaks to the recurring human tendency to 'limit the Holy One of Israel,' reflecting the very doubt the Rabshakeh was trying to sow.
Jeremiah 7:4This prophetic warning against falsely trusting in the 'temple of the LORD' echoes the Assyrian taunt, showing that outward religious observance without true faith is ultimately hollow.
The Assyrian commander isn't just dismissing Hezekiah's words; he's directly attacking the idea of trusting God, framing it as a foolish deception that will lead to ruin. He's trying to make God's promises sound like empty rhetoric, not a sure foundation.
King Sennacherib of Assyria's commander is speaking directly to the people of Jerusalem, attempting to demoralize them as they're under siege. He's quoting King Hezekiah, trying to twist his encouragement and faith in the Lord into a foolish boast, so they'll surrender to avoid further suffering. This speech happens just before Sennacherib's forces try to breach the city walls, and it's a critical moment of spiritual and psychological warfare.
King Sennacherib of Assyria's commander is speaking directly to the people of Jerusalem, attempting to demoralize them as they're under siege. He's quoting King Hezekiah, trying to twist his encouragement and faith in the Lord into a foolish boast, so they'll surrender to avoid further suffering. This speech happens just before Sennacherib's forces try to breach the city walls, and it's a critical moment of spiritual and psychological warfare.
"Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD by saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’" — The Assyrian commander isn't just dismissing Hezekiah's words; he's directly attacking the idea of trusting God, framing it as a foolish deception that will lead to ruin. He's trying to make God's…
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Last reviewed October 2026