Isaiah 36:4
And the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The ambassador Rabshakeh doesn't just ask what Hezekiah is trusting in, but uses the phrase "On what confidence is this?" This subtly shifts the focus from a simple inquiry to a contemptuous challenge, implying Hezekiah's trust is foolish and misplaced, setting the stage for his manipulative speech.
The Assyrian army, led by Sennacherib, has invaded Judah and captured many of its fortified cities. Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, confronts King Hezekiah's representatives outside Jerusalem. He begins a taunting speech, questioning the basis of Hezekiah's resistance and his reliance on Egypt or God, setting the stage for a psychological assault on the city's defenders.
Why did the Assyrian commander emphasize his king's title? What was he trying to achieve with this grandiloquent introduction?
The Rabshakeh, the Assyrian commander, opens his verbal assault by declaring, 'Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria.' This isn't just a formality; it's a calculated tactic.
A Title of Dominion
The title 'great king' was a standard, even grandiose, way Assyrian monarchs referred to themselves. It was designed to evoke awe and fear, highlighting their vast empire and numerous subjugated peoples. By emphasizing this, the Rabshakeh aimed to:
The Rabshakeh isn't just delivering a message; he's launching a psychological warfare campaign, using his king's title as his first weapon.
The Rabshakeh cuts to the chase with a probing question. What was he really trying to uncover, and why was it so important to him?
After establishing his king's imposing title, the Rabshakeh drives directly to the heart of the matter with the question: 'On what do you rest this trust of yours?' This question isn't simply curiosity; it’s an attempt to dismantle Hezekiah's resolve.
Probing for Weakness
The Rabshakeh was trying to discover the foundation of Hezekiah's defiance. He likely considered two main possibilities:
Understand the original words
batach · Hebrew Verb
Literally 'to lean' or 'to recline' upon something, used metaphorically to describe reliance, dependence, or placing confidence in a person, object, or God. Biblical usage frequently contrasts resting one's trust in human strength versus trusting in the Lord.
This encounter took place during a critical military siege, where the Assyrian envoy Rabshakeh's taunts were designed to break Hezekiah's resolve and the people's faith by highlighting the futility of their trust in God and Egypt against the mighty Assyrian Empire.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Expansion under Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II
The Neo-Assyrian Empire rapidly expanded its territories, conquering numerous states in the Near East and exerting significant influence over the region.
c. 705 BC
Sennacherib becomes King of Assyria
Sennacherib ascended the throne of Assyria, inheriting a vast and powerful empire, and continuing its aggressive military campaigns.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Campaign Against Judah
Sennacherib led a major military expedition into the Levant, conquering many fortified cities in Judah and besieging Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian army surrounded Jerusalem, and Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, publicly taunted King Hezekiah and the people, questioning their trust in God and Egypt.
This passage directly mirrors the Rabshakeh's intimidating speech, highlighting his arrogant claims and his attempt to undermine Hezekiah's trust in God by emphasizing Assyria's power and Egypt's weakness.
Psalm 115:1-2This psalm speaks to the futility of trusting in human endeavors and idols, which is precisely the accusation the Rabshakeh levels against Hezekiah's trust, urging him to put his confidence in the one true God instead.
Jeremiah 17:5-7This passage warns against trusting in man and outlines the blessings that come from trusting in the Lord, directly contrasting the conditional and ultimately unreliable 'confidence' the Rabshakeh is questioning.
Isaiah 31:1-3This earlier prophecy from Isaiah strongly condemns reliance on Egypt for help, echoing the Rabshakeh's specific accusation and demonstrating God's disapproval of such misplaced trust.
barnesIsaiah 36:4: "And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?"
What confidence - What is the ground of your confidence? on what do you trust? The appellation 'great king' was the customary title of the kings of the Persians and Assyrians.
pooleIsaiah 36:4: "And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?"
No text from Poole on this verse.
The ambassador Rabshakeh doesn't just ask what Hezekiah is trusting in, but uses the phrase "On what confidence is this?" This subtly shifts the focus from a simple inquiry to a contemptuous challenge, implying Hezekiah's trust is foolish and misplaced, setting the stage for his manipulative speech.
The Assyrian army, led by Sennacherib, has invaded Judah and captured many of its fortified cities. Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, confronts King Hezekiah's representatives outside Jerusalem. He begins a taunting speech, questioning the basis of Hezekiah's resistance and his reliance on Egypt or God, setting the stage for a psychological assault on the city's defenders.
The Assyrian army, led by Sennacherib, has invaded Judah and captured many of its fortified cities. Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, confronts King Hezekiah's representatives outside Jerusalem. He begins a taunting speech, questioning the basis of Hezekiah's resistance and his reliance on Egypt or God, setting the stage for a psychological assault on the city's defenders.
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By demanding to know Hezekiah's 'confidence,' the Rabshakeh aimed to expose what he saw as foolish reliance, whether on fickle human allies or an unseen God, and to push Hezekiah towards surrender.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Withdrawal
An inexplicable plague or divine intervention decimated the Assyrian army overnight, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw his forces from Jerusalem and return to Assyria.
"And the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours?" — The ambassador Rabshakeh doesn't just ask what Hezekiah is trusting in, but uses the phrase "On what confidence is this?" This subtly shifts the focus from a simple inquiry to a contemptuous chal…
