Isaiah 36:4-5
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? Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me?
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Rabshakeh doesn't just ask what Hezekiah is trusting in, but what kind of trust it is, implying it's flimsy and perhaps even foolish. He highlights his own king's title, "great king," to set up a stark contrast, suggesting Hezekiah's trust is utterly insignificant against such power.
Assyria's formidable army has already conquered many cities of Judah, leaving Jerusalem isolated. The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, confronts Hezekiah's representatives with a taunting question, demanding to know the basis of Hezekiah's trust and defiance. He seeks to undermine any hope Hezekiah might have in Egypt or, more significantly, in the Lord, attempting to break the city's spirit before the main assault.
Imagine standing before an intimidating figure, their words dripping with arrogance. This is the scene as the Assyrian Rabshakeh confronts Hezekiah's officials.
The Rabshakeh, representing the Assyrian king Sennacherib, uses a title that immediately signals power and superiority: 'the great king, the king of Assyria.' This wasn't just a name; it was a declaration of dominance.
A Title of Terror
The Question of Confidence
The core of his message is a direct challenge: 'On what do you rest this trust of yours?' This question wasn't seeking information; it was a rhetorical jab, implying that Hezekiah's trust was foolish and misplaced. Rabshakeh was trying to dismantle the very foundation of Hezekiah's resolve.
Rabshakeh doesn't just ask what Hezekiah trusts in; he anticipates the answer and begins to tear it down before Hezekiah's officials can even fully respond.
The Assyrian envoy was sent with a specific strategy: to attack Jerusalem's defenses by dismantling Hezekiah's sources of confidence. He identified two primary pillars: alliances and faith.
Attacking the Pillars
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.
etsah · Hebrew Noun
A term used for a course of action, counsel, or wisdom formulated to achieve a specific outcome, often in political or military contexts. In Scripture, it signifies the plans made by human leaders, which are ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God.
geburah · Hebrew Noun
Power, strength, or ability to accomplish a task; in a military context, it refers to the physical force or might of an army. Theologically, it is often contrasted with the divine power of God.
This exchange happened during a terrifying military invasion by the Assyrian Empire under King Sennacherib. The Assyrians had already conquered many cities in Judah, and their emissary, Rabshakeh, was sent to intimidate Jerusalem into surrender, questioning their trust in Egypt or even in God.
c. 705 BC
Sennacherib's Ascension to Assyrian Throne
Sennacherib becomes king of the powerful Assyrian Empire, known for its military might and expansionist policies.
701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Campaign in Judah
Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many of its fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem, as described in Isaiah 36.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Lachish
The Assyrian army captures the major Judean city of Lachish, a significant event leading up to the confrontation at Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian forces surround Jerusalem, and Rabshakeh delivers his taunting ultimatum to King Hezekiah and the city.
This passage directly parallels Rabshakeh's speech, showing his scorn for Hezekiah's reliance on Egypt and his questioning of Hezekiah's trust in the LORD, which directly mirrors the question asked in Isaiah 36:4.
Psalm 115:1-8This Psalm speaks of the futility of trusting in idols and emphasizes that true trust is in the LORD, contrasting sharply with Rabshakeh's attempt to discredit Hezekiah's faith in God by pointing to the impotence of other nations' gods.
Jeremiah 17:5-7This passage condemns trusting in human strength and praises those who trust in the LORD, providing a theological framework for understanding Rabshakeh's challenge and highlighting the wisdom of Hezekiah's ultimate reliance on God.
1 Samuel 17:45-47David's confrontation with Goliath echoes Rabshakeh's challenge by questioning the opponent's 'confidence' and asserting that victory comes not by human might but by the power of the LORD, illustrating a similar dynamic of faith versus worldly power.
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.
Rabshakeh doesn't just ask what Hezekiah is trusting in, but what kind of trust it is, implying it's flimsy and perhaps even foolish. He highlights his own king's title, "great king," to set up a stark contrast, suggesting Hezekiah's trust is utterly insignificant against such power.
Assyria's formidable army has already conquered many cities of Judah, leaving Jerusalem isolated. The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, confronts Hezekiah's representatives with a taunting question, demanding to know the basis of Hezekiah's trust and defiance. He seeks to undermine any hope Hezekiah might have in Egypt or, more significantly, in the Lord, attempting to break the city's spirit before the main assault.
Assyria's formidable army has already conquered many cities of Judah, leaving Jerusalem isolated. The Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, confronts Hezekiah's representatives with a taunting question, demanding to know the basis of Hezekiah's trust and defiance. He seeks to undermine any hope Hezekiah might have in Egypt or, more significantly, in the Lord, attempting to break the city's spirit before the main assault.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 36:4-5 is available in the Sola app.
The Goal: Undermine and Isolate
Rabshakeh's aim was to isolate Hezekiah, stripping away any perceived support – human or divine – and leaving him vulnerable to surrender. He sought to prove that any trust Hezekiah placed in anything other than submission to Assyria was ultimately futile and even foolish.
marad · Hebrew Verb
To break away from authority, loyalty, or a covenantal obligation. In the Old Testament, it can refer to political revolt against a king or, more significantly, the spiritual act of turning away from God's covenant.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Withdrawal
An unexplained disaster strikes the Assyrian army, forcing Sennacherib to lift the siege of Jerusalem and return to Nineveh.
c. 681 BC
Assassination of Sennacherib
Sennacherib is assassinated by his own sons, marking the end of his reign and a shift in Assyrian power.
"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? Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have…" — Rabshakeh doesn't just ask what Hezekiah is trusting in, but what kind of trust it is, implying it's flimsy and perhaps even foolish. He highlights his own king's title, "great king," to set up a…
