King James Version

What Does Isaiah 36:2 Mean?

Isaiah 36:2 in the King James Version says “And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by t... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

Isaiah 36:2 · KJV


Context

1

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

2

And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

3

Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder. scribe: or, secretary

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?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Rabshakeh was the Assyrian field commander sent with a large army to Jerusalem. His position at the "conduit of the upper pool" was strategic—threatening Jerusalem's water supply demonstrated Assyria's power to besiege the city. This geographical detail emphasizes the real historical threat. The large army's presence was psychological warfare, meant to intimidate. This sets the stage for God's dramatic deliverance, showing that human military might means nothing when God defends His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred in 701 BC during Hezekiah's 14th year. Sennacherib had already conquered 46 fortified Judean cities. Jerusalem appeared next on the list.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God allow His people to face overwhelming threats to display His power?
  2. What modern "armies" threaten to overwhelm believers today?
  3. How should we respond when facing seemingly impossible opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח1 of 19

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ2 of 19

And the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֣וּר׀3 of 19

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

אֶת4 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רַבְשָׁקֵ֨ה5 of 19

Rabshakeh

H7262

rabshakeh, a babylonian official

מִלָּכִ֧ישׁ6 of 19

from Lachish

H3923

lakish, a place in palestine

יְרוּשָׁלְַ֛מָה7 of 19

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֶל8 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ9 of 19

And the king

H4428

a king

חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ10 of 19

Hezekiah

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

בְּחֵ֣יל11 of 19

army

H2426

an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment

כָּבֵ֑ד12 of 19

with a great

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֗ד13 of 19

And he stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בִּתְעָלַת֙14 of 19

by the conduit

H8585

a bandage or plaster (as placed upon a wound)

הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה15 of 19

pool

H1295

a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place)

הָעֶלְיוֹנָ֔ה16 of 19

of the upper

H5945

an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme

בִּמְסִלַּ֖ת17 of 19

in the highway

H4546

a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase

שְׂדֵ֥ה18 of 19

field

H7704

a field (as flat)

כוֹבֵֽס׃19 of 19

of the fuller's

H3526

to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 36:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 36:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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