2 Kings 18:29

KJV

Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the king {H4428}, Let not Hezekiah {H2396} deceive {H5377} you: for he shall not be able {H3201} to deliver {H5337} you out of his hand {H3027}:

Complete Jewish Bible

This is what the king says: 'Don't let Hizkiyahu deceive you, because he won't be able to save you from the power of the king of Ashur.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you; he cannot deliver you from my hand.

American Standard Version

Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you; for he will not be able to deliver you out of his hand:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 18:29 captures a pivotal moment during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, as Rabshakeh, the Assyrian field commander, delivers a chilling message from King Sennacherib. This verse, "Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand," is a calculated act of psychological warfare. It directly challenges the authority and credibility of King Hezekiah, aiming to erode the trust of the Judean people in their leader and, by extension, in the protective power of their God, thereby forcing their surrender without a fight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the larger narrative of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah and his siege of Jerusalem, primarily detailed in [2 Kings 18](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18 - Sennacherib's Invasion") and [2 Kings 19](/2_kings/19 "2 Kings 19 - God Delivers Jerusalem"). Rabshakeh's speech, which spans [2 Kings 18:19-35](/2_kings/18-19 "2 Kings 18:19-35 - Rabshakeh's Taunts"), is a masterclass in ancient Near Eastern propaganda. Following an initial exchange with Hezekiah's officials, Rabshakeh deliberately shifts to speaking in Hebrew, ensuring his words are understood by the common people listening from the city walls. Verse 29 is a direct, authoritative command from Sennacherib, designed to sow seeds of doubt and fear, directly undermining Hezekiah's leadership and the people's resolve. The immediate literary context sets up the dramatic contrast between human boasts and divine intervention that unfolds in the subsequent chapters.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BCE was dominated by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, known for its brutal military efficiency and sophisticated psychological warfare. Assyria's policy involved deporting conquered peoples and dismantling their national and religious identities. King Hezekiah of Judah (c. 715-686 BCE) had initiated significant religious reforms, centralizing worship in Jerusalem and removing idolatry, and had also rebelled against Assyrian tribute, trusting in the Lord. Sennacherib's campaign in 701 BCE was a punitive expedition, devastating Judah and conquering many fortified cities before laying siege to Jerusalem. Rabshakeh, a high-ranking official, was not merely a messenger but a skilled orator, leveraging Assyria's reputation for invincibility and the common knowledge of other nations' failures against them (as seen in [2 Kings 18:33-35](/2_kings/18-33 "2 Kings 18:33-35 - Rabshakeh's Challenge to God")). His use of Hebrew was a deliberate tactic to bypass Hezekiah's court and directly appeal to the demoralized populace.

* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully highlights several key themes. **Propaganda and Psychological Warfare** are central, as Rabshakeh's speech is a calculated attempt to break the Judeans' will to resist through intimidation, false promises, and accusations of deception. This sets up a profound contrast between **Human Inability vs. Divine Power**. Rabshakeh's core argument is that Hezekiah, a mere human, is utterly powerless against the overwhelming might of Assyria, implicitly challenging the God of Judah. This theme is dramatically resolved by God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem in [2 Kings 19:35-36](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35-36 - God's Deliverance of Jerusalem"), demonstrating that true salvation comes not from human strength or political maneuvering but from divine intervention. Finally, the theme of **Trust and Deception** is paramount. Rabshakeh accuses Hezekiah of "deceiving" the people, implying that their trust in him and in God is misplaced. This direct assault on Hezekiah's credibility was designed to compel the people to surrender to Sennacherib's "hand," representing his absolute power and control, rather than trusting in the Lord's promise of protection.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deceive (Hebrew, _nasha'_):** The Hebrew verb נָשָׁא (_nasha'_) carries the meaning of to beguile, mislead, lead astray, or cause to forget. In this context, Rabshakeh uses it to accuse Hezekiah of making false assurances of safety and deliverance, implying that the king's promises are empty and will ultimately lead the people to ruin. It's an attempt to portray Hezekiah as untrustworthy and his counsel as dangerous, aiming to sever the bond of trust between the king and his subjects. The implication is that Hezekiah is leading them down a path of false hope that will only result in their destruction.
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _hitzil'_):** The Hebrew verb הִצִּיל (_hitzil_), a Hiphil form of נָצַל (_natsal_), means to rescue, save, snatch away, or deliver. It implies an act of intervention that brings one out of danger or oppression. Rabshakeh's assertion that Hezekiah "shall not be able to deliver you" directly challenges the king's capacity to provide salvation from the overwhelming Assyrian threat. This word choice sets up the central conflict of the narrative: whether human strength (Hezekiah's) or divine power (Yahweh's) will ultimately provide the necessary deliverance. The very word highlights the dire need for salvation from an impossible situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the king,"**: This opening phrase establishes the absolute authority behind the message. Rabshakeh is not speaking his own opinion but delivering a direct, undeniable decree from King Sennacherib, the most powerful monarch of the time. This imbues the words with the weight and inevitability of imperial command, aiming to instill fear and discourage any notion of defiance. It positions the message as an official, non-negotiable ultimatum from the supreme power.
* **"Let not Hezekiah deceive you:"**: This is the core accusation and the strategic thrust of the verse. It's a direct assault on Hezekiah's integrity and leadership. Rabshakeh implies that Hezekiah is deliberately misleading the people with false hopes of deliverance or divine intervention. This statement is designed to sow distrust among the besieged population, suggesting that their king is either foolishly optimistic or maliciously dishonest, and that following his counsel will lead them to disaster. It aims to isolate Hezekiah from his people and undermine his moral authority.
* **"for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:"**: This clause provides the "reason" for the preceding warning and reinforces the Assyrian claim of invincibility. The "hand" here is a common biblical idiom representing power, authority, or control. Rabshakeh asserts that Hezekiah lacks the military, political, or even spiritual capacity to rescue Judah from Sennacherib's overwhelming might. This statement is intended to strip the Judeans of any hope, presenting their situation as utterly hopeless under Hezekiah's leadership and leaving surrender as the only logical option. It highlights the vast disparity in power between a besieged city and the dominant Assyrian Empire.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to achieve its persuasive effect. Foremost is **Psychological Warfare**, where Rabshakeh's words are meticulously crafted not for military engagement but to break the morale and will of the besieged populace. By directly addressing the people in their own language and undermining their king, he seeks to create internal division and despair, making surrender seem like the only rational choice. This is further amplified by **Direct Address**, as Rabshakeh bypasses Hezekiah's envoys and speaks directly to the people on the wall, fostering a sense of personal appeal and urgency, and implying that he is communicating a truth their own king is hiding. Finally, the verse is a prime example of **Propaganda**, as it disseminates information (or misinformation) in a biased way to promote a political cause. Rabshakeh's message is not merely an announcement but a carefully constructed narrative designed to manipulate the Judeans' perceptions, exaggerate Assyrian power, and diminish Hezekiah's credibility, all to achieve a desired outcome without further bloodshed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, a direct challenge from a pagan king, serves as a profound theological test for Judah, echoing the recurring biblical theme of where true trust should be placed. Rabshakeh's words force the Judeans to confront the question of whether their ultimate reliance is on human strength and political maneuvering (Hezekiah's ability) or on the sovereign power and faithfulness of God. The Assyrian's boast that no god has been able to deliver his people from Sennacherib's hand is a direct affront to Yahweh, setting the stage for God to demonstrate His unique power and covenant faithfulness. This narrative powerfully illustrates that human limitations are precisely where divine power is most gloriously revealed, providing a stark contrast between the futility of trusting in worldly might and the unfailing security found in God alone.

* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")
* [Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the Man Who Trusts in Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In our own lives, we often face "Rabshakehs"—voices, circumstances, or internal doubts that seek to undermine our faith and convince us that God is unable or unwilling to "deliver" us from our trials. These voices may accuse our spiritual leaders of "deceiving" us with promises of hope, or they may simply declare the overwhelming power of our problems, asserting that no one, not even God, can rescue us from their "hand." This verse calls us to discern the source of such messages and to remember that true deliverance comes not from human strength or clever strategies, but from the sovereign, limitless power of God. Like Hezekiah, who responded to this threat not with despair but with fervent prayer and trust in the Lord ([2 Kings 19:14-19](/2_kings/19-14 "2 Kings 19:14-19 - Hezekiah's Prayer")), we are reminded that our ultimate refuge and source of salvation is God Himself. Even when circumstances seem impossible and human solutions fail, God's faithfulness remains steadfast, and His power to save is absolute.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Rabshakeh voices" are currently trying to "deceive" you into doubting God's ability to deliver you from a difficult situation?**
* **How does this passage challenge your understanding of where true power and deliverance reside?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to trust in human solutions or your own strength rather than fully relying on God for deliverance?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's power, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly against you?**

### FAQ
**Why did Rabshakeh speak in Hebrew, and what was the significance of this tactic?**

Answer: Rabshakeh deliberately spoke in Hebrew (specifically, "the language of Judah," [2 Kings 18:26](/2_kings/18-26 "2 Kings 18:26 - Rabshakeh Speaks Hebrew")) rather than Aramaic, the common diplomatic language of the time, to directly address the common people of Jerusalem who were listening from the city walls. His aim was to bypass Hezekiah's officials and directly sow fear, distrust, and despair among the populace. By speaking in their native tongue, he ensured that his message of Hezekiah's inability to deliver them and the futility of resistance was understood by everyone, not just the court. This was a sophisticated psychological tactic designed to break their morale and incite them to surrender without further military engagement, playing on their fears and undermining their loyalty to King Hezekiah.

**How did Hezekiah and Judah ultimately respond to this psychological attack?**

Answer: Despite the immense pressure and the terrifying nature of Rabshakeh's speech, King Hezekiah and the people of Judah did not surrender. Hezekiah's immediate response was one of humility and dependence on God: he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord ([2 Kings 19:1](/2_kings/19-1 "2 Kings 19:1 - Hezekiah's Response")). He also sent his officials to the prophet Isaiah, seeking divine counsel and prayer ([2 Kings 19:2-4](/2_kings/19-2 "2 Kings 19:2-4 - Hezekiah Seeks Isaiah's Counsel")). Isaiah delivered a message of assurance from the Lord, promising that Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem ([2 Kings 19:6-7](/2_kings/19-6 "2 Kings 19:6-7 - Isaiah's Prophecy")). When Sennacherib sent another threatening letter, Hezekiah took it directly to the temple and spread it before the Lord, offering a powerful prayer for deliverance ([2 Kings 19:14-19](/2_kings/19-14 "2 Kings 19:14-19 - Hezekiah's Prayer")). Ultimately, God miraculously intervened, sending an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw ([2 Kings 19:35-36](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35-36 - God's Miraculous Deliverance")). This demonstrated that God, not Hezekiah, was indeed able to deliver them from the hand of the Assyrian king.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Assyrian's boast that no earthly king could deliver his people from his hand finds its ultimate counterpoint and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Hezekiah was a faithful king who trusted in God for a physical deliverance from a temporal enemy, Jesus is the divine King who offers eternal deliverance from the ultimate enemies: sin, death, and the power of darkness. Rabshakeh's taunt, "he shall not be able to deliver you," is utterly reversed in Christ, who, through His life, death, and resurrection, definitively "delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to His kingdom" ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). He is the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and the one who, by His own death, "destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Our trust is not in a human king, but in the Son of God, who has already secured the decisive victory, ensuring that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" ([Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God Is For Us")). In Christ, we find the ultimate and unshakeable deliverance from every "hand" that seeks to enslave or deceive us.

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.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 32:15

Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

2 Thessalonians 2:4

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2 Thessalonians 2:8

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Daniel 3:15

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who [is] that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Daniel 3:17

If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.

Daniel 6:16

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast [him] into the den of lions. [Now] the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

John 19:10

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?