And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The specific location where the Assyrian envoy, Rabshakeh, stands—by the conduit of the upper pool on the Washer's Field road—is highly symbolic. This spot, a vital water source and a public thoroughfare, was deliberately chosen to maximize intimidation, positioning him right at the city's edge where his threatening words could be heard by the defenders and the populace, making surrender seem like the only viable, albeit terrifying, option.
And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Assyrian king Sennacherib, after having already conquered many Judean cities and received a hefty bribe from Hezekiah, sends a high-ranking official named Rabshakeh with a large force to Jerusalem. This envoy arrives at a strategic location near the city's water supply, setting the stage for a psychological assault designed to intimidate Jerusalem into surrender.
Who was this 'Rabshakeh' that delivered such a chilling message? The name itself tells us a lot about his position and the Assyrian court's power.
The word 'Rabshakeh' wasn't a personal name, but a title, likely meaning 'chief cupbearer' or 'chief of the officers.' This wasn't just some random soldier; it was a high-ranking official, possibly even a trusted advisor to the Assyrian king.
Think of it like a modern-day Secretary of State or a top general sent with a crucial, intimidating message. The choice of such a figure highlights the seriousness of the Assyrian king's demands and the Assyrian empire's vast reach and authority. He was sent with a 'great army,' emphasizing the military might backing his words.
Why did the Assyrian envoy stop precisely at this spot? The location wasn't random; it was a calculated move to instill fear and assert control.
Rabshakeh didn't just set up camp anywhere. He positioned himself by the 'conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field.' This was a critical area.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
Rab-shaqeh · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew title meaning 'the king's brother' or a similar derivative, historically interpreted as a high-ranking military or civil official or field commander under the Assyrian king. In the context of biblical history, he served as the primary spokesman for Sennacherib.
This verse captures a pivotal moment in the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, highlighting the intimidating tactics of the Assyrian Empire and the precarious political situation faced by King Hezekiah of Judah.
c. 705 BC
Sennacherib becomes King of Assyria
Sennacherib ascended the throne of the powerful Assyrian Empire, a position from which he would launch major military campaigns throughout the region.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's campaign in Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded the Kingdom of Judah, conquering numerous fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian forces besiege Lachish
Sennacherib's army laid siege to and captured the important Judean fortress city of Lachish, a strategic location on the route to Egypt.
c. 701 BC
Rabshakeh's ultimatum at Jerusalem
From the vicinity of Lachish, the Assyrian commander Rabshakeh was sent with a large force to demand Jerusalem's surrender from King Hezekiah.
c. 701 BC
Divine intervention and Assyrian withdrawal
Following Rabshakeh's failed attempt to intimidate Jerusalem, a miraculous event led to the Assyrian army's sudden withdrawal.
c. 681 BC
Death of Sennacherib
Sennacherib was assassinated by his own sons in Nineveh, ending his reign and impacting the future of the Assyrian Empire.
This passage directly parallels Isaiah 36:2, naming the Assyrian commanders (Tartan, Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh) sent against Hezekiah, highlighting the official and military nature of the delegation.
Isaiah 7:3This verse in Isaiah sets the scene for a similar Assyrian threat to Jerusalem. The 'conduit of the upper pool' mentioned in Isaiah 36:2 is the same strategic location where Isaiah delivered a message to King Ahaz years earlier, indicating a pattern of Assyrian psychological warfare targeting Jerusalem's water supply and defenses.
2 Chronicles 32:9This passage provides context for Sennacherib's actions, stating he 'laid siege to Lachish and all his power with him' while sending messengers to Jerusalem. It emphasizes that this was not a minor delegation but part of a larger, direct military campaign by the Assyrian king himself.
Isaiah 22:1-14This chapter describes Jerusalem's celebratory but ultimately misplaced confidence in its own defenses and preparations, in stark contrast to the spiritual reliance God desires. It sets the backdrop for Rabshakeh's taunts by illustrating the spiritual state of Jerusalem that he exploits.
barnesIsaiah 36:2: "And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field."
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh - In 2 Kings 18:17 , it is said that he sent Tartan, and Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh. In regard to Tartan, see the note at Isaiah 20:1 . It is probable that Rabshakeh only is mentioned in Isaiah because the expedition may have been mainly under his direction, or…
pooleIsaiah 36:2: "And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field."
No text from Poole on this verse.
The specific location where the Assyrian envoy, Rabshakeh, stands—by the conduit of the upper pool on the Washer's Field road—is highly symbolic. This spot, a vital water source and a public thoroughfare, was deliberately chosen to maximize intimidation, positioning him right at the city's edge where his threatening words could be heard by the defenders and the populace, making surrender seem like the only viable, albeit terrifying, option.
The Assyrian king Sennacherib, after having already conquered many Judean cities and received a hefty bribe from Hezekiah, sends a high-ranking official named Rabshakeh with a large force to Jerusalem. This envoy arrives at a strategic location near the city's water supply, setting the stage for a psychological assault designed to intimidate Jerusalem into surrender.
The Assyrian king Sennacherib, after having already conquered many Judean cities and received a hefty bribe from Hezekiah, sends a high-ranking official named Rabshakeh with a large force to Jerusalem. This envoy arrives at a strategic location near the city's water supply, setting the stage for a psychological assault designed to intimidate Jerusalem into surrender.
"And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field." — The specific location where the Assyrian envoy, Rabshakeh, stands—by the conduit of the upper pool on the Washer's Field road—is highly symbolic. This spot, a vital water source and a public thorough…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026