Isaiah 36:14

KJV

Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he cannot deliver you.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 36:14 captures a pivotal moment during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, where Sennacherib's field commander, the Rabshakeh, delivers a chilling message designed to undermine the morale of King Hezekiah and the people of Judah. This verse, presented as a direct quote from the Assyrian king, warns the besieged inhabitants not to be deceived by Hezekiah's assurances of deliverance, explicitly stating that their king lacks the power to save them from the overwhelming Assyrian might. It serves as a potent piece of psychological warfare, aiming to sow doubt and fear, compelling Judah to surrender without a fight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 36:14 is embedded within a significant historical narrative section of the book of Isaiah (chapters 36-39), which largely parallels accounts found in [2 Kings 18-20](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18-20 - Hezekiah's Reign and the Assyrian Invasion"). These chapters interrupt Isaiah's prophetic oracles, providing a historical anchor for his messages of judgment and salvation. Specifically, this verse is part of the Rabshakeh's second, more direct address to the people of Jerusalem, following an initial exchange with Hezekiah's officials. The narrative builds tension, setting the stage for Hezekiah's desperate prayer and God's miraculous intervention, which ultimately vindicates Isaiah's earlier prophecies of divine protection for Jerusalem.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Isaiah 36-39 occurred around 701 BC, during the reign of King Hezekiah in Judah, amidst the aggressive expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire under King Sennacherib. Assyria was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, renowned for its formidable military and brutal conquest tactics, including mass deportations and psychological warfare. The Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, delivered his message in Hebrew, ensuring it was understood by the common people on the city walls. This public address was a calculated move to bypass Hezekiah's leadership, directly appealing to the fears of the populace and exploiting their vulnerability under siege, a common Assyrian strategy to induce surrender before costly direct assault.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Propaganda and Psychological Warfare**, demonstrating how words can be wielded as weapons to demoralize an enemy and manipulate their will to resist. The Rabshakeh's speech is a masterclass in such tactics, designed to erode trust in leadership and divine protection. Secondly, it underscores the **Futility of Trust in Human Power** alone, contrasting Hezekiah's perceived inability with the true source of deliverance. The Assyrian boast challenges the people to consider whether their hope should lie in a human king or in the Almighty God, echoing warnings found in passages like [Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the one who trusts in man") against trusting in man. Finally, the verse sets up the profound theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance**, as God's subsequent miraculous intervention dramatically refutes the Rabshakeh's claims, proving that true salvation comes not from human strength but from the Lord's unfailing power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **deceive (Hebrew, _nâshâʼ'_):** From H5377, this primitive root means "to lead astray," "to delude," or "to seduce." The Rabshakeh employs this strong term to imply that Hezekiah's promises of rescue are not merely mistaken, but intentionally misleading or false. It suggests a deliberate act of beguiling the people into a false sense of security, thereby making their eventual downfall more devastating.
* **able (Hebrew, _yâkôl'_):** From H3201, this primitive root signifies "to be able," literally or morally. In this context, it refers to Hezekiah's capacity or power. The Rabshakeh's declaration, "he shall not be able," is an absolute denial of Hezekiah's capability, asserting his utter impotence in the face of Assyrian might, thereby stripping away any hope of human resistance.
* **deliver (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_):** From H5337, this primitive root means "to snatch away," "to rescue," "to save," or "to rid." It often implies a powerful act of intervention to free someone from danger or oppression. The Rabshakeh's claim is that Hezekiah is utterly incapable of performing such a powerful act of salvation for his people, emphasizing the perceived hopelessness of their situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the king,"**: This opening phrase identifies the source of the message – King Sennacherib of Assyria, though delivered through his field commander, the Rabshakeh. It lends the message an air of absolute authority and finality, coming directly from the supreme power of the invading empire.
* **"Let not Hezekiah deceive you:"**: This is a direct, imperative warning to the people of Jerusalem. The Rabshakeh accuses King Hezekiah of misleading his subjects, implying that any assurances of divine protection or human resistance are mere illusions. This challenges the people's trust in their own king and his counsel.
* **"for he shall not be able to deliver you."**: This clause provides the justification for the warning. It is a definitive declaration of Hezekiah's utter powerlessness against the Assyrian army. This statement aims to strip the people of any remaining hope in their human leadership, leaving them feeling completely exposed and vulnerable, and thus more inclined to surrender.

#### Literary Devices
The Rabshakeh's speech, including this verse, is a masterclass in **Psychological Warfare** and **Propaganda**. The message is a direct **Ad Hominem** attack on Hezekiah's credibility and capability, designed to erode the people's trust in their leader. The Rabshakeh employs **Assertion** and **Categorical Statement** ("he shall not be able") to project an image of absolute certainty and overwhelming power, leaving no room for doubt about the inevitable outcome if Judah resists. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present, though not immediately apparent to the Rabshakeh, as his confident boast of Hezekiah's inability to deliver will be dramatically overturned by God's miraculous intervention, highlighting the stark **Contrast** between human arrogance and divine omnipotence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 36:14, though spoken by an enemy, inadvertently sets the stage for a profound theological truth: the ultimate inability of human power to deliver in the face of overwhelming spiritual or physical threats, and the exclusive capacity of God to bring true salvation. The Rabshakeh's declaration, intended to instill fear and despair, paradoxically highlights the very point where human strength ends and divine power must begin. It forces a choice: will the people trust in the limited arm of flesh, or in the limitless power of the living God? This moment becomes a crucial test of faith, revealing that genuine deliverance stems not from human ingenuity or might, but from the sovereign intervention of the Lord.

* [Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the one who trusts in man")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Isaiah 37:36](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36 - The Lord's Deliverance of Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In our contemporary lives, we frequently encounter "Rabshakeh moments"—situations or voices that seek to undermine our faith, sow doubt, and declare our ultimate inability to overcome challenges. These voices might manifest as overwhelming financial burdens, daunting health diagnoses, relational conflicts, societal pressures, or even internal fears and anxieties that whisper messages of inadequacy and hopelessness. Just as the Rabshakeh sought to isolate Judah from their king and their God, these modern "voices" attempt to sever our trust in divine provision and power. This verse challenges us to discern truth from falsehood, to recognize where true power and deliverance lie, and to resist the temptation to succumb to despair when human efforts seem insufficient. Like Hezekiah, our response to such overwhelming odds should be to turn to the Lord in prayer and humility, placing our hope not in the strength or wisdom of man, but in the unfailing, omnipotent power of God, who alone can deliver us from seemingly impossible situations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "Rabshakeh moments" in my life that seek to undermine my faith or sow doubt about God's ability to deliver?**
* **How do I typically respond when faced with overwhelming odds or voices that declare my inability to overcome challenges?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to place my trust in human strength or resources rather than in God's power?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more consistent trust in God's sovereign deliverance, even when circumstances seem dire?**

### FAQ

**Who is "the king" in this verse, and why is his message significant?**

Answer: "The king" refers to Sennacherib, the powerful king of Assyria, who was besieging Jerusalem. His message, delivered through his field commander, the Rabshakeh, was highly significant because it represented a direct challenge to King Hezekiah's authority and God's ability to protect Judah. It was a strategic attempt at psychological warfare, designed to demoralize the people of Jerusalem and persuade them to surrender without a fight, leveraging the Assyrian Empire's reputation for overwhelming military might and brutality.

**What was the Rabshakeh's main objective in delivering this message?**

Answer: The Rabshakeh's main objective was to break the will of the besieged people of Jerusalem and force their surrender without the need for a costly and potentially difficult full-scale assault. By publicly denouncing Hezekiah as a deceiver and declaring his inability to deliver them, the Rabshakeh aimed to sow disunity, fear, and despair among the populace, convincing them that resistance was futile and that their only hope lay in capitulating to Assyrian demands. This tactic was part of a broader Assyrian strategy to conquer cities through psychological pressure as much as through military force.

**How did King Hezekiah respond to this intimidating message?**

Answer: King Hezekiah's response was a model of faithful leadership in crisis. Instead of panicking or surrendering, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord. He then sent his officials to the prophet Isaiah to seek the Lord's word regarding the Assyrian threats. His primary response was one of humility, prayer, and seeking divine counsel, as recorded in [Isaiah 37:1-7](/isaiah/37-1-7 "Isaiah 37:1-7 - Hezekiah Seeks Isaiah's Counsel"). This act of turning to God, rather than relying on human strength or political maneuvering, proved to be the pivotal moment for Jerusalem's deliverance.

**Was Hezekiah truly unable to deliver his people, as the Rabshakeh claimed?**

Answer: From a purely human perspective, Hezekiah and the people of Judah were indeed vastly outmatched by the formidable Assyrian army, suggesting that humanly speaking, Hezekiah would not have been able to deliver them. However, the Rabshakeh's claim proved ultimately false because he underestimated the power of God. While Hezekiah himself could not deliver his people, the Lord God could and did. In a dramatic display of divine power, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night, as detailed in [Isaiah 37:36](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36 - The Lord's Miraculous Deliverance"). This miraculous intervention demonstrated that true deliverance comes from God alone, not from human might or political strategy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Rabshakeh's boast that Hezekiah was unable to deliver his people, though intended to instill despair, ultimately foreshadows a profound truth about human incapacity and the necessity of divine deliverance, a truth perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Just as Hezekiah, a good king, was ultimately powerless to save Judah from the overwhelming Assyrian threat, so too is humanity utterly unable to deliver itself from the far greater spiritual enemies of sin, death, and the devil. The world, much like besieged Jerusalem, faces an enemy it cannot overcome through its own strength, wisdom, or moral effort. Yet, into this hopeless situation steps the ultimate King, Jesus, who is truly "able to deliver." He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), accomplishing what no human king or sacrifice could. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ has decisively conquered these spiritual foes, disarming the powers and authorities and [triumphing over them by the cross](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers"). He is the one who, through His own death, [destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death"), and delivered all those who were held in slavery by their fear of death. Thus, the Rabshakeh's empty boast against Hezekiah becomes a powerful backdrop against which the absolute, unparalleled ability of Christ to deliver us, not merely from physical enemies but from eternal condemnation, shines forth as the ultimate and everlasting fulfillment. In Christ, we are [more than conquerors](/romans/8-37-39 "Romans 8:37-39 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ") through Him who loved 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

Daniel 6:20

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: [and] the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

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 Kings 19:10

Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.

2 Kings 19:13

Where [is] the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?

Daniel 7:25

And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

2 Chronicles 32:11

Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

2 Chronicles 32:13

Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of [other] lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?