Isaiah 36:4

And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence [is] this wherein thou trustest?

And Rabshakeh {H7262} said {H559} unto them, Say {H559} ye now to Hezekiah {H2396}, Thus saith {H559} the great {H1419} king {H4428}, the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}, What confidence {H986} is this wherein thou trustest {H982}?

Rav-Shakeh addressed them: "Tell Hizkiyahu: 'Here is what the great king, the king of Ashur, says: "What makes you so confident?

The Rabshakeh said to them, โ€œTell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours?

And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?

Commentary

Isaiah 36:4 captures a pivotal moment during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, where King Sennacherib of Assyria, through his chief spokesman Rabshakeh, directly challenges King Hezekiah of Judah. This verse initiates a crucial exchange designed to undermine Judah's morale and faith.

Context

The year is approximately 701 BC. The powerful Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, has swept through the ancient Near East, conquering many nations, including most of Judah. Jerusalem alone remains, under the leadership of King Hezekiah, who had initiated significant religious reforms and trusted in the Lord. Rabshakeh, acting as Sennacherib's envoy and master of psychological warfare, stands before the walls of Jerusalem, speaking in Hebrew to be understood by the people and their king's representatives. This dramatic confrontation is also chronicled in 2 Kings 18 and 2 Chronicles 32, highlighting the immense pressure Hezekiah and his people faced.

Key Themes

  • The Challenge to Trust: Rabshakeh's rhetorical question, "What confidence [is] this wherein thou trustest?" is a direct assault on Hezekiah's source of security. It questions the basis of his reliance, whether it be military strength, alliances, or faith in God.
  • Psychological Warfare: The Assyrians were masters of intimidation. Rabshakeh's speech is designed to sow doubt and fear, convincing Judah that resistance is futile and their God is powerless against the "great king" of Assyria.
  • Human Arrogance vs. Divine Sovereignty: Sennacherib's self-proclaimed title, "the great king, the king of Assyria," reflects a human pride that contrasts sharply with the true sovereignty of God, whom Hezekiah served.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "confidence" here is mibtach (ืžึดื‘ึฐื˜ึธื—), which denotes security, reliance, or the object of trust. The word for "trustest" is batch (ื‘ึธึผื˜ึทื—), meaning to lean on, rely on, or feel secure. The repetition of this root emphasizes the Assyrian's scornful challenge, essentially asking, "What is this thing you are leaning on so securely?" This taunt directly challenges Hezekiah's reliance, which was primarily on the Lord, as seen in his earlier reforms and devotion to God.

Practical Application & Reflection

This verse offers timeless insights for believers. We, too, face "Rabshakehs" in our livesโ€”voices of doubt, fear, or external pressures that question the basis of our hope and security. These challenges might come from financial crises, health issues, relational struggles, or societal pressures that seem overwhelming. The core question remains: "What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?" Do we place our ultimate trust in human wisdom, material possessions, or fleeting circumstances? Or do we, like Hezekiah, seek to place our unwavering confidence in the Lord, who is our refuge and strength? This verse serves as a powerful reminder to examine the foundation of our trust in times of adversity.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 18:19

    And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence [is] this wherein thou trustest?

  • 2 Kings 18:37

    Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

  • Psalms 42:3

    My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where [is] thy God?

  • 2 Chronicles 32:14

    Who [was there] among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?

  • 2 Chronicles 32:16

    And his servants spake yet [more] against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah.

  • Jude 1:16

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

  • 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.
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