This verse, Isaiah 36:14, is part of a speech delivered by the Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, to the people of Jerusalem during the siege of the city by the Assyrian king Sennacherib.
The verse means:
"Thus says the king..." - The Rabshakeh is emphasizing that he's speaking with the full authority of King Sennacherib of Assyria.
"Don't let Hezekiah deceive you..." - He's warning the people not to be misled by King Hezekiah, their leader.
"...for he will not be able to deliver you." - This is the core message. The Rabshakeh is telling the people that Hezekiah is powerless to save them from the might of the Assyrian army. He's trying to break their morale and encourage them to surrender. He is undermining Hezekiah's leadership and attempting to instill fear and hopelessness in the population.
Context and Significance:
The Assyrians were a powerful and ruthless empire. Their military was renowned, and they had a history of conquering and destroying cities. The Rabshakeh's speech is a form of psychological warfare. He's attempting to:
Undermine confidence: He wants to erode the people's faith in their king and their God.
Isolate Hezekiah: He's trying to create a divide between the king and his people, making it easier to conquer the city.
Encourage surrender: By convincing them that resistance is futile, he hopes they will give up without a fight, saving the Assyrians time and resources.
In essence, this verse is a threat and a challenge to Hezekiah's authority and the people's faith in their ability to withstand the Assyrian siege. It highlights the vulnerability and fear the people of Jerusalem faced in the face of the overwhelming Assyrian army.
This verse, Isaiah 36:14, is part of a speech delivered by the Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, to the people of Jerusalem during the siege of the city by the Assyrian king Sennacherib.
The verse means:
"Thus says the king..." - The Rabshakeh is emphasizing that he's speaking with the full authority of King Sennacherib of Assyria.
"Don't let Hezekiah deceive you..." - He's warning the people not to be misled by King Hezekiah, their leader.
"...for he will not be able to deliver you." - This is the core message. The Rabshakeh is telling the people that Hezekiah is powerless to save them from the might of the Assyrian army. He's trying to break their morale and encourage them to surrender. He is undermining Hezekiah's leadership and attempting to instill fear and hopelessness in the population.
Context and Significance:
The Assyrians were a powerful and ruthless empire. Their military was renowned, and they had a history of conquering and destroying cities. The Rabshakeh's speech is a form of psychological warfare. He's attempting to:
Undermine confidence: He wants to erode the people's faith in their king and their God.
Isolate Hezekiah: He's trying to create a divide between the king and his people, making it easier to conquer the city.
Encourage surrender: By convincing them that resistance is futile, he hopes they will give up without a fight, saving the Assyrians time and resources.
In essence, this verse is a threat and a challenge to Hezekiah's authority and the people's faith in their ability to withstand the Assyrian siege. It highlights the vulnerability and fear the people of Jerusalem faced in the face of the overwhelming Assyrian army.