Keraia
Isaiah 36

Isaiah 36:22

Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem · Isaiah 36:1–22
Read Isaiah 36

Translations

Modern
Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.
Traditional
Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
Literal
And came Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with torn clothes, and they declared to him the words of the Rabshakeh.
Latin
Et ingressus est Eliacim, filius Helciæ, qui erat super domum, et Sobna scriba, et Joahe filius Asaph, a commentariis, ad Ezechiam, scissis vestibus, et nuntiaverunt ei verba Rabsacis.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.

Notes

Isaiah 36:4–22

The Assyrian chief of staff tried to use intimidation to negotiate a peaceful settlement. In his first speech (Isaiah 36:4–10), he correctly argued that Egypt could not rescue them but incorrectly accused Hezekiah of misplaced trust in the Lord.

Interestingly, the Assyrian did not view the contest as between the gods of Assyria and the Lord, but rather between Sennacherib (the great king) and the Lord.

Isaiah 36:1–39:8

Jerusalem’s rescue from King Sennacherib of Assyria is a main event in Isaiah 1–39. The Lord promised to save his people. He would remain present with Jerusalem (see 7:14). He would also keep a remnant, a small group who would survive (see study note on Isaiah 10:20).

Much of the land became empty and the population greatly reduced. This happened because Judah made a foolish alliance with Assyria (chapters 7–8). Even so, the Lord did not allow total defeat. He preserved his people through Hezekiah, a faithful king.

Hezekiah faced the same kind of test that King Ahaz had faced. It was a test of trust in the Lord. In chapter 36, the Assyrian officer repeats the word trust as he challenges the people. But Hezekiah had learned from the earlier warnings in chapters 13–35. At least at first, he trusted God and passed the test.

This story also appears in 2 Kings 18:13–20:19.

Events

Parallels

2 Kings 18:13–37 2 Chronicles 32:1–8

People

Asaph: Recorder during King Hezekiah's reign Eliakim: Palace administrator under King Hezekiah Hezekiah: A righteous king of Judah Hilkiah: An official during King Hezekiah's reign Joah: Son of Asaph, King Hezekiah's secretary Rabshakeh: A Babylonian official who taunted Hezekiah and Jerusalem's people Shebna: Steward of the palace during Hezekiah's reign

Glossary

Asaph Assyria, Assyrians Hezekiah Hilkiah History of Israel Inscriptions Isaiah, Book of Joah Kings, Books of First and Second Lachish Micah (Person) Rabshakeh

Topics

Asaph: Father of Joah Diplomacy: Rab-Shakeh, in Trying to Induce Jerusalem to Capitulate by Bombastic Harangue Eliakim: Son of Hilkiah, Deputy of Hezekiah Hilkiah: officer of Hezekiah Joah: Son of Asaph Rending: (Ripping, Tearing) of Garments, an Outward Sign of Affliction Shebna (Shebnah): A Scribe of Hezekiah