2 kings 18:19 - Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, “What confidence is this in which you trust?
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What does "2 kings 18:19" mean?
This verse is a key part of the story of the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in the time of King Hezekiah. It's a moment of psychological warfare and intimidation. Let's break it down:
Rabshakeh: He was a high-ranking Assyrian official, likely a chief cupbearer or some other important advisor to the Assyrian king, Sennacherib.
"Said to them": Rabshakeh is speaking to the representatives of King Hezekiah (Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah) who have come out to meet him outside the walls of Jerusalem.
“Say now to Hezekiah": This is a direct message meant to be relayed to King Hezekiah, the ruler of Judah.
‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria,’": This is a formulaic way of introducing a message from a powerful ruler. The Assyrian king is emphasizing his immense power and authority. Calling himself "the great king" was a common Assyrian boast, meant to intimidate other nations.
"What confidence is this in which you trust?": This is the core of Rabshakeh's message. He's mocking Hezekiah's reliance on anything other than Assyria. He's trying to undermine Hezekiah's faith, hope, and strategy. He's essentially asking:
What makes you think you can resist the mighty Assyrian empire?
Who or what are you relying on to save you?
Are you relying on your military strength? (Assyria's army was far superior).
Are you relying on Egypt? (He will mock this possibility later).
Are you relying on your God? (He will also mock this idea).
In essence, Rabshakeh is trying to:
Demoralize the people of Jerusalem and their king. By undermining their confidence, he hopes to convince them to surrender without a fight.
Question Hezekiah's leadership. He wants to sow doubt and fear.
Demonstrate the futility of resistance against Assyria. He portrays Assyria as an unstoppable force.
Blaspheme the God of Israel (though this becomes more explicit later). He starts chipping away at their faith.
This verse sets the stage for a longer speech where Rabshakeh will continue to try to break the morale of the people of Jerusalem by taunting them and questioning their faith in God. He uses propaganda and psychological warfare to try to achieve victory without a costly siege.
2 kings 18:19 - Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, “What confidence is this in which you trust?
What does "2 kings 18:19" mean?
This verse is a key part of the story of the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in the time of King Hezekiah. It's a moment of psychological warfare and intimidation. Let's break it down:
Rabshakeh: He was a high-ranking Assyrian official, likely a chief cupbearer or some other important advisor to the Assyrian king, Sennacherib.
"Said to them": Rabshakeh is speaking to the representatives of King Hezekiah (Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah) who have come out to meet him outside the walls of Jerusalem.
“Say now to Hezekiah": This is a direct message meant to be relayed to King Hezekiah, the ruler of Judah.
‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria,’": This is a formulaic way of introducing a message from a powerful ruler. The Assyrian king is emphasizing his immense power and authority. Calling himself "the great king" was a common Assyrian boast, meant to intimidate other nations.
"What confidence is this in which you trust?": This is the core of Rabshakeh's message. He's mocking Hezekiah's reliance on anything other than Assyria. He's trying to undermine Hezekiah's faith, hope, and strategy. He's essentially asking:
What makes you think you can resist the mighty Assyrian empire?
Who or what are you relying on to save you?
Are you relying on your military strength? (Assyria's army was far superior).
Are you relying on Egypt? (He will mock this possibility later).
Are you relying on your God? (He will also mock this idea).
In essence, Rabshakeh is trying to:
Demoralize the people of Jerusalem and their king. By undermining their confidence, he hopes to convince them to surrender without a fight.
Question Hezekiah's leadership. He wants to sow doubt and fear.
Demonstrate the futility of resistance against Assyria. He portrays Assyria as an unstoppable force.
Blaspheme the God of Israel (though this becomes more explicit later). He starts chipping away at their faith.
This verse sets the stage for a longer speech where Rabshakeh will continue to try to break the morale of the people of Jerusalem by taunting them and questioning their faith in God. He uses propaganda and psychological warfare to try to achieve victory without a costly siege.