2 Kings 18:27

But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? [hath he] not [sent me] to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?

But Rabshakeh {H7262} said {H559} unto them, Hath my master {H113} sent {H7971} me to thy master {H113}, and to thee, to speak {H1696} these words {H1697}? hath he not sent me to the men {H582} which sit {H3427} on the wall {H2346}, that they may eat {H398} their own dung {H6675}{H2755}, and drink {H8354} their own piss {H4325}{H7272}{H7890} with you?

But Rav-Shakeh answered them, "Did my master send me to deliver my message just to your master and yourselves? Didn't he send me to address the men sitting on the wall, who, like you, are going to eat their own dung and drink their own urine?"

But the Rabshakeh replied, “Has my master sent me to speak these words only to you and your master, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are destined with you to eat their own dung and drink their own urine?”

But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit on the wall, to eat their own dung, and to drink their own water with you?

Commentary

2 Kings 18:27 captures a moment of intense psychological warfare during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. Rabshakeh, the Assyrian field commander, directly addresses the people on the wall, using vulgar and shocking language to demoralize them and incite rebellion against King Hezekiah.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, around 701 BC, when Sennacherib, King of Assyria, launched a devastating campaign against Judah. The Assyrians were a dominant and brutal empire known for their military prowess and cruel tactics. Rabshakeh's mission was not just to defeat Judah militarily but to break their will to resist. Earlier in the chapter, Hezekiah's officials (Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah) had asked Rabshakeh to speak in Aramaic, a diplomatic language, rather than Hebrew, to prevent the common people from understanding his threats. Rabshakeh's retort in this verse is a deliberate defiance of that request, emphasizing that his message is precisely for the besieged populace, aiming to terrify them with the prospect of extreme famine and suffering if they continue to resist.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Psychological Warfare: Rabshakeh employs a classic tactic of intimidation, using graphic and disgusting imagery to instill fear and despair. His goal is to make the people believe their situation is hopeless, thereby weakening their resolve and their trust in Hezekiah and their God.
  • Desperation of Siege Warfare: The crude imagery of eating human waste highlights the horrific reality of prolonged sieges, where food and water supplies dwindle, leading to unimaginable suffering and degradation. This was a stark warning of the consequences of continued resistance, referencing a stark prophecy found in Deuteronomy concerning the horrors of prolonged sieges.
  • Assyrian Arrogance and Contempt: Rabshakeh's speech is filled with contempt for Judah, its king, and its God. He views the Judeans as weak and easily manipulable, believing that such shocking language will break their spirit more effectively than military might alone.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's direct translation of "dung" and "piss" (from Hebrew tso'ah and mey raglayim, "water of their feet") emphasizes the raw, visceral nature of Rabshakeh's taunt. The Hebrew phrase for "piss" is a euphemism, but Rabshakeh's delivery would have been intended to be as offensive and degrading as possible. The shock value of these words was a key part of his psychological strategy, designed to convey the absolute extremity and horror of starvation and thirst during a siege.

Related Scriptures

This verse is part of a larger narrative of the Assyrian invasion. For the broader context of Rabshakeh's defiant speech and Hezekiah's response, one can read from 2 Kings 18:17 through 2 Kings 19. The parallel account is found in Isaiah 36:12. The miraculous deliverance that follows this period of intense pressure is recorded in 2 Kings chapter 19, demonstrating God's faithfulness to Hezekiah's trust.

Practical Application

In our own lives, we may face situations where adversaries (or even our own fears) use intimidating, demoralizing, or vulgar language to try and break our spirit or undermine our faith. This verse reminds us:

  1. Recognize Intimidation Tactics: Understand that not all attacks are physical; some are designed to create fear, doubt, and despair.
  2. Stand Firm in Faith: Just as Hezekiah and the people were called to trust in God despite dire threats, we are reminded to place our confidence in God's power and promises, not in the strength or threats of our adversaries.
  3. Guard Against Lies: Rabshakeh's words, while describing potential horrors, were also designed to mislead and break loyalty. We must discern truth from lies, especially when under pressure.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Lamentations 4:5 (2 votes)

    They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

  • Ezekiel 4:13 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them.

  • Ezekiel 4:15 (2 votes)

    Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.

  • Deuteronomy 28:53 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee:

  • Deuteronomy 28:57 (2 votes)

    And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all [things] secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates.

  • Psalms 73:8 (2 votes)

    They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.

  • 2 Kings 6:25 (2 votes)

    And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was [sold] for fourscore [pieces] of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five [pieces] of silver.