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.”’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Rabshakeh claims the Lord himself commissioned his invasion, twisting God’s past dealings with Israel into a divine endorsement of destruction. This isn't just propaganda; it's a blasphemous attempt to usurp God's authority, suggesting that He would command violence against His own people.
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.”’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, has arrived at Jerusalem's walls and is attempting to intimidate the city into surrendering. He addresses the people directly, not just the officials, claiming that the Assyrian invasion is divinely sanctioned by the LORD and that any resistance is futile. He mockingly questions why Hezekiah would trust in Egypt or in the LORD, highlighting past defeats of other nations and their gods by the Assyrian army.
Why would an Assyrian commander invoke the name of the LORD? Rabshakeh twists God's own name into a tool of intimidation.
Rabshakeh, the Assyrian commander, uses the name 'LORD' (Yahweh) not out of reverence, but as a strategic weapon. He claims the LORD himself commissioned their destructive mission to Jerusalem.
Rabshakeh’s words reveal a profound misunderstanding, or deliberate distortion, of who God is. What did he get so wrong?
Rabshakeh’s taunts reveal a pagan worldview where gods are limited to their own territories and powers, much like kings ruling nations. He cannot fathom the LORD having authority beyond Assyria's current reach.
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Understand the original words
shachath · Hebrew Verb
To cause something to perish, to ruin, or to bring to an end. In this context, it reflects the exercise of power—often granted by God—to execute judgment upon a people or a land.
Rabshakeh's words reflect a common ancient Near Eastern practice of attributing military campaigns to divine will, but his specific claim that the LORD Himself commanded him to destroy Jerusalem is a calculated move to instill terror by falsely co-opting Jewish theology.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to Assyria, leading to the deportation of its population. This event serves as a stark reminder to Judah of Assyria's military might and the fate of those who resist.
c. 705-701 BC
Sennacherib's Campaign
King Sennacherib of Assyria launches a major campaign into the Levant, aiming to consolidate Assyrian control. Hezekiah, king of Judah, had been relying on Egypt for support against this threat.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Sennacherib's forces invade Judah, capturing many fortified cities. The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, arrives at Jerusalem to demand its surrender.
c. 701 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
Sennacherib's army surrounds Jerusalem. Rabshakeh delivers a fierce ultimatum to the city, attempting to demoralize the defenders and incite surrender.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Withdrawal
An unexplained plague or disaster strikes the Assyrian army, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw his forces from Jerusalem. The city is miraculously saved.
This passage shows a similar pattern of a prophet being commanded by God to go and bring judgment, mirroring the Assyrian commander's claim, highlighting how divine pronouncements could be twisted or misunderstood.
Isaiah 10:5-7This earlier passage in Isaiah directly addresses the Assyrian's role as an instrument of God's judgment, providing context for why the commander might falsely claim a divine commission for destruction.
2 Kings 18:14-16This parallel account shows Hezekiah initially trying to appease Sennacherib with tribute, demonstrating the dire political situation that the Assyrian's boasting was designed to exploit, even if Hezekiah's actions were a misstep in trust.
Romans 8:31-39While on the surface very different, this New Testament passage powerfully reaffirms God's ultimate sovereignty and protective love for His people, providing the true theological answer to the Assyrian's challenge about divine opposition.
cambridgeIsaiah 36:10: "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."
10 . That the Assyrian should represent himself as commissioned by Jehovah to avenge the desecration of his sanctuaries is not by any means incredible. A precisely similar sentiment is put into the mouth of Cyrus in his account of the conquest of Babylon. It expresses no serious religious conviction (see Isaiah 36:20 ); and the resemblance to Isa…
barnesIsaiah 36:10: "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."
And am I now come up without the Lord - Am I come up without his permission or command? Rabshakeh here speaks in the name of his master; and he means to say that he had the express command of Yahweh to inflict punishment on the Jews. It is possible that there had been conveyed to Sennacherib a rumour of what Isaiah had said (see Isaiah 10:5-6 ) t…
Rabshakeh claims the Lord himself commissioned his invasion, twisting God’s past dealings with Israel into a divine endorsement of destruction. This isn't just propaganda; it's a blasphemous attempt to usurp God's authority, suggesting that He would command violence against His own people.
The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, has arrived at Jerusalem's walls and is attempting to intimidate the city into surrendering. He addresses the people directly, not just the officials, claiming that the Assyrian invasion is divinely sanctioned by the LORD and that any resistance is futile. He mockingly questions why Hezekiah would trust in Egypt or in the LORD, highlighting past defeats of other nations and their gods by the Assyrian army.
The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, has arrived at Jerusalem's walls and is attempting to intimidate the city into surrendering. He addresses the people directly, not just the officials, claiming that the Assyrian invasion is divinely sanctioned by the LORD and that any resistance is futile. He mockingly questions why Hezekiah would trust in Egypt or in the LORD, highlighting past defeats of other nations and their gods by the Assyrian army.
"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.”’”" — Rabshakeh claims the Lord himself commissioned his invasion, twisting God’s past dealings with Israel into a divine endorsement of destruction. This isn't just propaganda; it's a blasphemous attempt…
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Last reviewed October 2026