2 Kings 18:28

KJV

Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Rabshakeh {H7262} stood {H5975} and cried {H7121} with a loud {H1419} voice {H6963} in the Jews' language {H3066}, and spake {H1696}, saying {H559}, Hear {H8085} the word {H1697} of the great {H1419} king {H4428}, the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Rav-Shakeh stood up and, speaking loudly in Hebrew, said: "Hear what the great king, the king of Ashur, says!

Berean Standard Bible

Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out loudly in Hebrew: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria!

American Standard Version

Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spake, saying, Hear ye the word of the great king, the king of Assyria.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The verse captures a pivotal moment during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, where the Rabshakeh, King Sennacherib's chief representative, strategically employs psychological warfare. By speaking directly to the people of Judah in their native Hebrew tongue, he bypasses diplomatic channels, aiming to undermine their morale, their trust in King Hezekiah, and their faith in God, by proclaiming the irresistible power and supreme authority of the "great king, the king of Assyria."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of the Assyrian invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. Following Hezekiah's initial, failed attempt to appease Sennacherib with tribute ([2 Kings 18:14-16](/2_kings/18-14 "2 Kings 18:14-16 - Hezekiah's Tribute to Sennacherib")), the Assyrian king sends a formidable delegation, including the Rabshakeh, to Jerusalem with a large army ([2 Kings 18:17](/2_kings/18-17 "2 Kings 18:17 - Rabshakeh Arrives in Jerusalem")). The Rabshakeh's speech, which begins in [2 Kings 18:19](/2_kings/18-19 "2 Kings 18:19 - Rabshakeh's Initial Taunt"), is a calculated act of psychological warfare designed to sow discord and fear among the besieged populace. Verse 28 marks a crucial turning point in his address, as he shifts from speaking to Hezekiah's officials in Aramaic to directly addressing the common people on the wall in Hebrew, ensuring his demoralizing message is widely understood. This entire episode is also recounted in parallel in [Isaiah 36](/isaiah/36 "Isaiah 36 - Rabshakeh's Challenge to Jerusalem").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BCE was dominated by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, a formidable military and political power known for its brutal conquest strategies and effective propaganda. King Sennacherib (705-681 BCE) was one of its most powerful rulers, and his campaign against Judah in 701 BCE is well-documented in both biblical and Assyrian records (Sennacherib's Prism). The Rabshakeh was a high-ranking Assyrian official, likely a "chief cupbearer" or "chief officer," serving as a direct emissary of the king. His decision to speak "in the Jews' language" (Hebrew, or _Yehudith_) was a deliberate and culturally astute tactic. While Aramaic was the lingua franca for diplomacy and trade among the elite, Hebrew was the common language of the people of Judah. By speaking Hebrew, the Rabshakeh bypassed Hezekiah's officials, who had requested he speak Aramaic ([2 Kings 18:26](/2_kings/18-26 "2 Kings 18:26 - Eliakim's Request")), and directly targeted the morale of the ordinary citizens and soldiers defending the city walls, exploiting their fear and vulnerability under siege conditions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [2 Kings](/2_kings "The Book of 2 Kings - History of Israel and Judah's Kings"). Firstly, it highlights the **clash between human power and divine sovereignty**. The "great king, the king of Assyria" represents the pinnacle of earthly might and self-proclaimed supremacy, directly challenging the authority and protective power of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **trust versus fear**. The Rabshakeh's speech is designed to instill fear and erode the people's trust in Hezekiah and, more importantly, in God's ability to deliver them, contrasting with Hezekiah's steadfast faith and ultimate reliance on the Lord as seen in [2 Kings 19](/2_kings/19 "2 Kings 19 - Hezekiah's Prayer and Deliverance"). Thirdly, the passage emphasizes the **power of words** as a weapon. The Rabshakeh's loud, direct, and manipulative speech demonstrates how language can be used not just for communication, but for psychological warfare, propaganda, and control, aiming to break the will of the besieged without a single arrow being fired.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rabshakeh (Hebrew, _rav-shaqeh'_):** This is not a personal name but a high-ranking Assyrian title, likely meaning "chief cupbearer" or "chief officer." As an official directly serving the king, the Rabshakeh was Sennacherib's personal representative, carrying his authority and speaking on his behalf. His presence and direct address underscore the gravity of the Assyrian threat and the king's personal investment in the psychological subjugation of Jerusalem.
* **Jews' language (Hebrew, _Yehudith'_):** This phrase refers specifically to the Hebrew language spoken in Judah, distinct from Aramaic, which was the diplomatic language. The Rabshakeh's deliberate choice to speak in _Yehudith_ was a highly strategic move. It allowed him to bypass Hezekiah's officials, who understood Aramaic, and directly communicate his message of intimidation and surrender to the common people and soldiers on the city walls, thereby attempting to incite panic and rebellion from within.
* **great king (Hebrew, _melekh gadol'_):** This was a common self-designation for powerful ancient Near Eastern monarchs, especially the Assyrian kings, who saw themselves as supreme rulers over lesser kings and nations. By proclaiming Sennacherib as "the great king," the Rabshakeh was asserting absolute authority and superiority, implicitly challenging the sovereignty of Yahweh and the legitimacy of Hezekiah's rule, framing the conflict as a contest between an invincible earthly power and a seemingly impotent deity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice":** This opening phrase emphasizes the public, authoritative, and intimidating nature of the Rabshakeh's address. His standing indicates a position of authority and deliberate intent, while "cried with a loud voice" highlights the direct, unmediated, and attention-grabbing delivery, ensuring his words would be heard by a wide audience on the city walls.
* **"in the Jews' language":** This clause specifies the strategic linguistic choice. By speaking in Hebrew, the Rabshakeh intentionally circumvented the diplomatic protocol of using Aramaic, aiming his message directly at the common people of Jerusalem. This move was designed to maximize the psychological impact, fostering fear and undermining morale among the populace.
* **"and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria":** This phrase introduces the core of the Rabshakeh's message. The command "Hear the word" demands immediate attention and obedience. The source of this "word" is explicitly identified as "the great king, the king of Assyria," a title that asserts Sennacherib's supreme authority and power, positioning him as an unrivaled monarch whose decrees must be heeded, and implicitly challenging the authority of Hezekiah and the God of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [2 Kings 18:28](/2_kings/18-28 "2 Kings 18:28 - Rabshakeh's Challenge") masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its dramatic tension and thematic depth. **Propaganda** is the overarching device, as the Rabshakeh's entire speech is a calculated act of psychological warfare designed to demoralize the besieged city. His use of **direct address** ("Hear the word") and the specific choice of "the Jews' language" are tactics to bypass official channels and directly manipulate the common people. There is a strong element of **contrast** established between the self-proclaimed "great king, the king of Assyria," representing overwhelming human might, and the implied, yet unseen, power of Yahweh, whom the Rabshakeh attempts to diminish. The Rabshakeh's boastful rhetoric also contains **irony**, as his claims of irresistible power and his challenge to God will ultimately be overturned by divine intervention, foreshadowing the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem. The **foreshadowing** of God's coming judgment on Assyria is subtle here but becomes explicit in the subsequent chapters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Rabshakeh's audacious challenge in [2 Kings 18:28](/2_kings/18-28 "2 Kings 18:28 - Rabshakeh's Challenge") serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine sovereignty versus human arrogance. The Assyrian king, through his representative, asserts a claim to ultimate authority ("the great king"), attempting to usurp the unique position of Yahweh as the true sovereign over all creation. This confrontation highlights the recurring biblical theme of the futility of human boasting and the inevitable downfall of those who set themselves against God. It calls God's people to discern between the loud, intimidating voices of the world and the quiet, yet infinitely powerful, voice of truth and divine promise. The ultimate victory of Jerusalem, not by military might but by divine intervention, will later vindicate God's supremacy over all earthly powers and their boasts.

* [Psalm 2:1-4](/psalms/2-1 "Psalm 2:1-4 - The Futility of Human Rebellion") - Describes the nations raging against the Lord and His anointed, with God laughing at their futile plans.
* [Isaiah 37:6-7](/isaiah/37-6 "Isaiah 37:6-7 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Deliverance") - Isaiah's prophecy to Hezekiah, assuring him not to be afraid of the Rabshakeh's words, as God will put a spirit in him to return to his own land.
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord") - Affirms that there is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel against the Lord, reinforcing God's ultimate sovereignty.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In our contemporary world, we often encounter "Rabshakehs"—voices of doubt, fear, and worldly power that seek to intimidate us and undermine our trust in God. These voices may come from societal pressures, media narratives, personal anxieties, or even spiritual attacks, all aiming to convince us that God is either unable or unwilling to act on our behalf. [2 Kings 18:28](/2_kings/18-28 "2 Kings 18:28 - Rabshakeh's Challenge") serves as a powerful reminder that we must not succumb to such psychological warfare. Instead, like Hezekiah, who turned to the Lord in prayer rather than engaging in fruitless arguments or despairing ([2 Kings 19:1-4](/2_kings/19-1 "2 Kings 19:1-4 - Hezekiah's Response to Rabshakeh")), we are called to discern the source and intent of these intimidating messages. Our response should be rooted in unwavering faith in God's ultimate sovereignty and power, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. This passage encourages us to stand firm, trusting in divine strength and truth, rather than being swayed by the loud, boastful claims of those who oppose God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "loud voices" or "great kings" in your life or society attempt to undermine your trust in God?**
* **How can you discern between the truth of God's Word and the propaganda of the world?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to respond to intimidation with fear or despair, rather than faith?**
* **What practical steps can you take to "hear the word of the great King" (God) above all other voices?**

### FAQ

**Who was Rabshakeh, and why is his role significant in this narrative?**

Answer: Rabshakeh was not a personal name but a high-ranking Assyrian official's title, likely meaning "chief cupbearer" or "chief officer." His role was highly significant because he served as King Sennacherib's direct emissary and chief propagandist. He was sent to Jerusalem not primarily for military assault at this stage, but for psychological warfare. His authority and direct communication, as seen in [2 Kings 18:28](/2_kings/18-28 "2 Kings 18:28 - Rabshakeh's Challenge"), were designed to demoralize the city's inhabitants, undermine their trust in King Hezekiah, and challenge their faith in God, thereby coercing them into surrender without a costly siege.

**Why did Rabshakeh choose to speak "in the Jews' language" (Hebrew) instead of Aramaic?**

Answer: Rabshakeh's choice to speak "in the Jews' language" (Hebrew, or _Yehudith_) was a deliberate and cunning strategic move. As noted in [2 Kings 18:26](/2_kings/18-26 "2 Kings 18:26 - Eliakim's Request"), Hezekiah's officials asked him to speak Aramaic, the common language of diplomacy, so that the common people on the wall would not understand. By refusing and speaking Hebrew, Rabshakeh bypassed these officials and directly addressed the ordinary citizens and soldiers. This was a calculated tactic to spread fear, incite panic, and encourage rebellion from within the city walls, aiming to break the morale of the entire populace and force a surrender.

**What was the theological significance of Rabshakeh's declaration, "Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria"?**

Answer: The declaration "Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria" carried immense theological weight. "Great king" (_melekh gadol_) was a common title for supreme monarchs in the ancient Near East, particularly the Assyrian emperors, signifying absolute authority and dominion over lesser kings. By using this title, Rabshakeh was asserting Sennacherib's unparalleled power and implicitly challenging the sovereignty of Yahweh, the God of Israel. He was positioning the Assyrian king as the ultimate authority, suggesting that resistance was futile and that even Judah's God could not deliver them. This set up a direct confrontation between the perceived might of an earthly empire and the true, unseen power of the Almighty God, which would ultimately be resolved by divine intervention in [2 Kings 19:35-36](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35-36 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes the Assyrian Army").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Rabshakeh's arrogant boast and challenge to the God of Israel in [2 Kings 18:28](/2_kings/18-28 "2 Kings 18:28 - Rabshakeh's Challenge") finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "great king, the king of Assyria," represents all earthly powers and spiritual forces that set themselves against God and His people, seeking to intimidate, deceive, and ultimately destroy. Yet, the New Testament reveals Jesus as the true and eternal "Great King," whose authority far surpasses any earthly monarch or spiritual adversary. While the Rabshakeh's words were designed to instill fear and lead to surrender, Christ's words bring life, hope, and ultimate victory over sin and death ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Words of Eternal Life")). The Assyrian king's boast of invincibility was shattered by the Angel of the Lord ([2 Kings 19:35](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes the Assyrian Army")), foreshadowing Christ's definitive triumph over all principalities and powers on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). He is the one before whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess His supreme Lordship ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation")). Thus, the Rabshakeh's challenge, though terrifying in its moment, ultimately points to the absolute and unshakeable sovereignty of Christ, who has overcome the world and secured eternal deliverance for His people ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ's Victory Over the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.