The Rabshakeh starts by questioning Hezekiah's "trust," but his real aim is to mock it. He uses the proud title "great king" for his own master, emphasizing the vast difference in power and status, to belittle any confidence Hezekiah might have in his own strength or in God.
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)
The Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, has invaded Judah, capturing many fortified cities. The Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, is sent to Jerusalem to deliver an ultimatum to King Hezekiah. He demands surrender, questioning the basis of Hezekiah's confidence and attempting to break the resolve of both the king and the people by mocking their trust in Egypt and, most importantly, in the LORD God of Israel.
An intimidating messenger arrives, not with a sword, but with words. His mission? To make you doubt everything you stand for.
The Rabshakeh's arrival isn't just a military maneuver; it's a psychological assault. He's sent by the 'great king' of Assyria, a title designed to inspire awe and fear. His first move is to directly question Hezekiah's source of confidence: 'On what do you rest this trust of yours?'
This is a classic tactic of the enemy – to attack the very foundation of our strength. He doesn't immediately threaten with destruction, but instead probes for weakness, aiming to dismantle our resolve from the inside out. By forcing Hezekiah to articulate his trust, the Rabshakeh hopes to expose it as foolish, insufficient, or even non-existent.
This strategy isn't new. The enemy of our souls constantly tries to make us question our faith, our hope, and our reliance on God. He wants us to scrutinize our trust until it crumbles under doubt.
The messenger’s words carry the weight of an empire. But whose greatness is truly being displayed?
The Rabshakeh repeatedly uses the title 'the great king, the king of Assyria.' This isn't just a name; it's propaganda. It’s meant to intimidate Hezekiah and his people by emphasizing the overwhelming power and vast dominion of Assyria.
This title, 'great king,' was a standard boast of ancient Near Eastern rulers, designed to magnize their authority and diminish any potential opponent. The Assyrian king saw himself as a supreme ruler, eclipsing all others. In this context, Hezekiah’s defiance seemed not just foolish, but suicidal.
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However, the true 'Great King' is God Himself. By focusing on the earthly 'great king,' the enemy seeks to distract us from the ultimate King whose power is absolute and eternal. The Rabshakeh's strategy is to make us feel small and insignificant, overshadowed by worldly powers, and to forget the divine authority that truly governs all.
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.
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.
This dramatic confrontation occurred during a pivotal moment when the mighty Assyrian Empire, under Sennacherib, was systematically crushing rebellions throughout the region. Rabshakeh's words reflect Assyria's intimidating power and its strategy of psychological warfare, aiming to break Jerusalem's will to resist by undermining its alliances and its faith in God.
c. 705 BC
Death of Sargon II
Sennacherib succeeds his father Sargon II as king of Assyria, inheriting a vast empire and a history of expansion through military campaigns.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Campaign in the Levant
Sennacherib launches a major military campaign against rebellious states in the Levant, including Phoenicia, Philistia, and Judah.
c. 701 BC
Siege of Lachish
Sennacherib's forces lay siege to and capture the heavily fortified Judean city of Lachish, a significant strategic victory and a brutal display of Assyrian military power.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Envoy Confronts Jerusalem
The Assyrian Rabshakeh, along with other officials, arrives at Jerusalem to demand its surrender, directly confronting King Hezekiah and his people with threats and taunts.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Withdrawal
An unexplained disaster strikes the Assyrian camp, leading to a sudden withdrawal of Sennacherib's army from Jerusalem. The Assyrians suffer heavy losses, and Sennacherib eventually returns to Nineveh.
c. 681-668 BC
Reign of Esarhaddon
Sennacherib's son, Esarhaddon, becomes king of Assyria. He later campaigns in Egypt, further extending Assyrian influence.
This passage mirrors Rabshakeh's taunt, showing his strategy of belittling Hezekiah's reliance on Egypt, which the text calls a 'staff of a broken reed,' highlighting the futility of worldly alliances against divine judgment.
Isaiah 30:1-2Isaiah previously warned against seeking help from Egypt, calling it a 'strength that will not profit,' which directly relates to Rabshakeh's accusation and shows that Hezekiah was being confronted with a prophetic word he had ignored.
Psalm 20:7This psalm expresses trust in the Lord's name, contrasting sharply with the 'confidence' Rabshakeh questions, thereby revealing the spiritual dimension of Hezekiah's stand that the Assyrian envoy could not comprehend.
Jeremiah 17:5-6This passage curses those who trust in humans and worldly might, underscoring the core issue Rabshakeh raises and showing the danger of placing confidence in anything other than God.
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 Rabshakeh starts by questioning Hezekiah's "trust," but his real aim is to mock it. He uses the proud title "great king" for his own master, emphasizing the vast difference in power and status, to belittle any confidence Hezekiah might have in his own strength or in God.
The Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, has invaded Judah, capturing many fortified cities. The Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, is sent to Jerusalem to deliver an ultimatum to King Hezekiah. He demands surrender, questioning the basis of Hezekiah's confidence and attempting to break the resolve of both the king and the people by mocking their trust in Egypt and, most importantly, in the LORD God of Israel.
The Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, has invaded Judah, capturing many fortified cities. The Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, is sent to Jerusalem to deliver an ultimatum to King Hezekiah. He demands surrender, questioning the basis of Hezekiah's confidence and attempting to break the resolve of both the king and the people by mocking their trust in Egypt and, most importantly, in the LORD God of Israel.
"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…" — The Rabshakeh starts by questioning Hezekiah's "trust," but his real aim is to mock it. He uses the proud title "great king" for his own master, emphasizing the vast difference in power and status, t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
