The Assyrian commander isn't just asking for surrender; he's offering a tempting, albeit deceptive, vision of peace and prosperity—enjoying your own vineyards and water—to lull them into a false sense of security before they're forcibly deported. This highlights how the enemy often promises comfort and normalcy as bait to lure people away from God's protection.
Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, stands before the walls of Jerusalem, having already conquered many of Judah's cities. He directly addresses the people, urging them to ignore King Hezekiah's pleas to trust in God. Rabshakeh promises them security and the enjoyment of their own property, like their vines and fig trees, if they surrender, but hints at a future exile.
The Assyrian king's envoy offers terms of peace, but the words hide a sinister agenda. What did 'making a blessing' really mean?
Rabshakeh, the Assyrian commander, urges the people of Jerusalem to 'Make an agreement with me' (or 'Make peace with me'). The original Hebrew word, 'berakah,' typically means 'blessing.' Here, it's used in a twisted way. It doesn't mean a genuine exchange of goodwill; it's a demand for submission and a bribe disguised as peace.
A Demand, Not a Gift
This tactic aims to make surrender seem like the most beneficial, even 'blessed,' option, masking the reality of conquest and subjugation.
Rabshakeh paints a picture of peaceful life – eating figs, drinking water. But is this security real, or just a temporary illusion?
The Assyrian envoy promises that if Jerusalem surrenders, its people will 'eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern.' This is a powerful image, evoking prosperity, self-sufficiency, and peace.
A False Sense of Home
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The assurance of enjoying one's vine and fig tree is a bait, designed to make them believe they can retain their lives and livelihoods. It’s a strategic deception to break their resolve and encourage surrender, without revealing the ultimate goal of deportation.
Understand the original words
berakah · Hebrew Noun
A formal agreement or settlement of hostilities, often implying submission to a superior power. In a theological context, it contrasts with the peace (shalom) that comes only through reconciliation with God.
Rabshakeh's words are a calculated psychological warfare tactic, attempting to break Jerusalem's spirit by promising prosperity if they surrender, while also sowing doubt about God's ability to protect them. This highlights the stark contrast between the Assyrian's materialistic threats and Hezekiah's faith in God's divine protection.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invades Judah, conquering many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event is the direct context for the Assyrian envoy's (Rabshakeh) taunts.
c. 701 BC
Hezekiah's Reforms
King Hezekiah of Judah had recently undertaken significant religious reforms, removing idolatrous altars and centralizing worship in Jerusalem, which may have been perceived as defiance by Assyria.
c. 701 BC
Siege of Lachish
The Assyrian army, under Sennacherib, captures the major Judean city of Lachish. This event is highlighted in Assyrian records and precedes the encounter at Jerusalem's walls.
c. 701 BC
Rabshakeh's Demands
The Assyrian commander Rabshakeh delivers a harsh ultimatum to Jerusalem, demanding surrender and mocking Hezekiah's trust in God and Egypt.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Army's Destruction
According to the biblical account, a divine intervention causes the death of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw his army from Jerusalem.
c. 681 BC
Assassination of Sennacherib
Sennacherib is assassinated by his own sons in Nineveh, an event that occurred later in his reign but marked the end of his aggressive expansion in the region.
This passage paints a picture of peace and security under God's reign, where people can rest securely under their own fig trees and vines, directly contrasting the Assyrian king's deceptive promises in Isaiah 36:16.
Jeremiah 29:28This verse highlights how the false prophets in Babylon offered deceptive promises of peace and prosperity, similar to how the Assyrian king offers temporary security in Isaiah 36:16 to lure the people into surrender.
Proverbs 26:24-25This proverb warns about those who speak with deceptive sweetness to hide their malice, directly paralleling the Assyrian official's smooth words in Isaiah 36:16, which were designed to trick Jerusalem into surrender.
2 Kings 18:31-32This passage directly echoes the Assyrian king's plea, showing the repeated tactic of promising a good life in a new land to entice surrender, as seen in Isaiah 36:16, contrasted with Hezekiah's faith in God.
cambridgeIsaiah 36:16: "Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;"
16 . Make an agreement with me by a present ] R.V. Make peace with me . Lit. “Make to me a blessing” (see R.V. marg.). The expression does not occur elsewhere, and its exact sense is doubtful. Probably “make peaceful submission to me.” come ou…
barnesIsaiah 36:16: "Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;"
Hearken not to Hezekiah - Do not listen to his entreaties to confide in him, and in Yahweh; do not unite with him in endeavoring to make any resistance or opposition to us. Make an agreement with me by a present - The Septuagint read this, Ει…
The Assyrian commander isn't just asking for surrender; he's offering a tempting, albeit deceptive, vision of peace and prosperity—enjoying your own vineyards and water—to lull them into a false sense of security before they're forcibly deported. This highlights how the enemy often promises comfort and normalcy as bait to lure people away from God's protection.
The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, stands before the walls of Jerusalem, having already conquered many of Judah's cities. He directly addresses the people, urging them to ignore King Hezekiah's pleas to trust in God. Rabshakeh promises them security and the enjoyment of their own property, like their vines and fig trees, if they surrender, but hints at a future exile.
The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, stands before the walls of Jerusalem, having already conquered many of Judah's cities. He directly addresses the people, urging them to ignore King Hezekiah's pleas to trust in God. Rabshakeh promises them security and the enjoyment of their own property, like their vines and fig trees, if they surrender, but hints at a future exile.
"Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own…" — The Assyrian commander isn't just asking for surrender; he's offering a tempting, albeit deceptive, vision of peace and prosperity—enjoying your own vineyards and water—to lull them into a false sens…
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Last reviewed October 2026
