Keraia
Isaiah 37

Isaiah 37:8

Sennacherib’s Blasphemous Letter · Isaiah 37:8–13
Read Isaiah 37

Translations

Modern
When the Rabshakeh heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.
Traditional
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
Literal
And the Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria making war against Libnah, for he had heard that he had set out from Lachish.
Latin
Reversus est autem Rabsaces, et invenit regem Assyriorum præliantem adversus Lobnam: audierat enim quia profectus esset de Lachis.

Original

Hebrew
English
When the Rabshakeh heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.

Notes

Isaiah 37:8

Libnah was a city on the Philistine plain near Lachish. Sennacherib was preparing to fight both Egypt and Jerusalem when he sent word to Hezekiah.

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 19:8–13

People

Rabshakeh: A Babylonian official who taunted Hezekiah and Jerusalem's people

Places

Assyria: A powerful ancient empire, often in conflict with Israel Lachish: A fortified city in Judah Libnah: A Canaanite city conquered by Joshua; a Levitical city

Glossary

Assyria, Assyrians Hezekiah History of Israel Inscriptions Isaiah, Book of Kings, Books of First and Second Libnah Micah (Person) Rabshakeh Shebna

Topics

Libnah: A City of the Tribe of Judah, Captured by Joshua: Sennacherib Besieged