Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 36:2
And the king of Assyria sent Rab-shakeh 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.
2. Rabshakeh is not a proper name, but an official designation, like the Tartan (see ch. Isa 20:1) and the Rab-saris (chief eunuch) who are mentioned along with him in 2Ki 18:17. The Assyrian word is Rab-saq, said to mean “chief of the officers.”
from Lachish ] The most important Judan fortress in the Shephelah, commanding the road from Egypt. Recent excavations by Mr Flinders Petrie have identified its site with Tell-el-Hesy, a few miles distant from the modern Umm Lakis.
the conduit of the upper pool ] See on ch. Isa 7:3.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh – In 2Ki 18:17, it is said that he sent Tartan, and Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh. In regard to Tartan, see the note at Isa 20:1. It is probable that Rabshakeh only is mentioned in Isaiah because the expedition may have been mainly under his direction, or more probably because he was the principal speaker on the occasion to which he refers.
From Lachish – This was a city in the south of the tribe of Judah, and was southwest of Jerusalem Jos 10:23; Jos 15:39. It was situated in a plain, and was the seat of an ancient Canaanite king. It was rebuilt and fortified by Rehoboam 2Ch 11:9. It was in some respects a border town, and was a defense against the incursions of the Philistines. It was therefore situated between Jerusalem and Egypt, and was in the direct way of Sennacherib in his going to Egypt, and on his return. It lay, according to Eusebius and Jerome, seven Roman miles from Eleutheropolis toward the south. No trace of the town, however, is now to be found (see Robinsons Bib. Researches, vol. ii. pp. 388, 389).
With a great army – Sennacherib remained himself for a time at Lachish, though he followed not long after. It is probable that he sent forward a considerable portion of his immense army, retaining only so many forces as he judged would be necessary to carry on the siege of Lachish. In 2Ch 32:9, it is said that Sennacherib, while he sent his servants to Jerusalem, laid siege to Lachish and all his power with him; but this must mean that he retained with him a considerable part of his army, and doubtless all that contributed to his magnificence and splendor. The word power in 2Ch 32:9, means also dominion (see the margin), and denotes all the insignia of royalty: and this might have been retained while a considerable part of his forces had been sent forward to Jerusalem.
And he stood – He halted; he encamped there; He intended to make that the point of attack.
By the conduit … – (See the notes at Isa 7:3)
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 36:2
And the King of Assyria sent Rabshakeh
Invasion of Judah by Assyria
In chaps, 36-39, a historical part follows, which retiring from the ideal distances of chaps, 34.
, 35. into the historical realities of chap. 33., begins with the statement that at the conduit of the upper pool in the road of the fullers field, where Ahaz preferred the help of Assyria to that of Jehovah (Isa 7:3), stands anembassy of the King of Assyria with a section of his army. (F. Delitzsch, D.D.)
Rabshakeh
Rabshakeh or Rab-Sak, the chief cup-bearer, or general staff-officer in the Assyrian service, entrusted with diplomatic business. It is the title of an office, and not the name of a person. The Tartan was the supreme military officer, or commander-in-chief, while the Rab Saris was the chief of the Eunuchs, and a confidential officer. Rab-chief. (B. Blake, B.D.)
The Rabshakeh,
Sennacheribs Bismarck. (Prof. G. A. Smith, D.D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
2. Rab-shakehIn 2Ki18:17, Tartan and Rab-saris are joined with him. Rab-shakeh wasprobably the chief leader; Rab is a title of authority,”chief-cup-bearer.”
Lachisha frontier townsouthwest of Jerusalem, in Judah; represented as a great fortifiedcity in a hilly and fruitful country in the Koyunjik bas-reliefs, nowin the British Museum; also, its name is found on a slab over afigure of Sennacherib on his throne.
upper poolthe side onwhich the Assyrians would approach Jerusalem coming from thesouthwest (see on Isa 7:3).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto King Hezekiah with a great army,…. Notwithstanding he had taken Hezekiah’s money to withdraw his army out of his country, yet sends it out to his very capital; along with this Rabshakeh he sent two other generals, Tartan and Rabsaris, 2Ki 18:17 though they are not mentioned, only Rabshakeh, because he was the principal person, however the chief speaker. Lachish was a city in the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:39, which Sennacherib was now besieging, 2Ch 32:9. This message was sent, Bishop Usher says, three years after the former expedition:
and he stood by the conduit of the upper pool, in the highway of the fullers’ field; where they spread their clothes, as the Targum, having washed them in the pool, of which see Isa 7:3. Ben Melech thus describes the pool, conduit, and highway: the pool is a ditch, built with stone and lime, where rainwater was collected, or where they drew water from the fountain, and the waters were gathered into this pool; and there was in this pool a hole, which they stopped, until the time they pleased to fetch water, out of the pool: and the conduit was a ditch near to the pool, and they brought water out of the pool into the conduit, when they chose to drink, or wash garments: the highway was a way paved with stones, so that they could walk upon it in rainy days; and here they stood and washed their garments in the waters of the conduit, and in the field they spread them to the sun. This pool lay outside the city, yet just by the walls of it, which showed the daring insolence of Rabshakeh to come so very nigh, for he was in the hearing of the men upon the walls, Isa 36:12, this Rabshakeh is by the Jewish writers thought to be an apostate Jew, because he spoke in the Jews’ language; and some of them, as Jerome says, will have him to be a son of the Prophet Isaiah’s, but without any foundation, Procopius, in 2Ki 18:18, thinks it probable that he was a Hebrew, who either had fled on his own accord to the Assyrians, or was taken captive by them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2. Then the king of Assyria Rent Rabshakeh. The order of the narrative may here have been altered; for he had formerly said that Sennacherib had taken all the cities of Judea, and now he says that he sent Rabshakeh (28) from Lachish, implying that he was besieging it, and consequently he had not yet stormed them all. But it ought to be observed that historical connection is frequently disturbed, and that what was first in the order of time, comes last in the narrative. Besides, the Scriptures frequently make use of a figure of speech in which a part is taken for the whole, and by which it might be said that all the cities were taken, because those which had been left were few, and Hezekiah had no means of intercourse with them. It appeared, therefore, that the king of Assyria had brought the whole of Judea under his dominion, because nearly all that remained was Jerusalem alone, in which Hezekiah was shut up.
This history is more fully related in the Books of Kings, where it is shewn how eager for peace Hezekiah was; for he labored to obtain it on any terms. He had delivered up “three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold,” which that tyrant had demanded; and he found it necessary to seize the vessels of the Temple, and the golden plates which had been attached to its doors, to make up that sum, because his treasury was exhausted. (2Kg 18:14.) But as such gulfs are insatiable, when he had received that money, he next demanded more, and sought to enforce harder conditions. This was done partly, in order to provoke and torment Hezekiah, (for, having once abused the ready compliance of the pious king, he thought that he would obtain anything,) and partly because he sought an occasion of renewing the war. Yet it ought to be observed that the people were justly punished for their iniquities, as had been foretold; for although true religion flourished as to external worship, yet their life was not changed for the better, and their wickedness was not removed, nor was the inward pollution cleansed from their hearts. Accordingly, because the people did not repent, it was necessary that their obstinate depravity should be severely chastised. But because the measure of their iniquities was not yet full, God abated the fierceness of his anger, and suddenly, when matters were desperate, brought such assistance as could not have been believed.
(28) “The Hebrew doctors will have it that this Rabshakeh was an apostate Jew, and Procopius is of the same opinion, which is not altogether improbable, both because he could speak readily in the Hebrew tongue, and when he blasphemed the Divine Majesty, the king and nobles rent their clothes, which was not usual unless he that uttered such blasphemous words was an Israelite. Some think his name imports that he was the principal cupbearer to the king of Assyria, who assumed to himself the title of the Great King, because of his great conquests and large dominions.” — White.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2) The king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh.The word is a title (the Rabshakeh) probably the chief officer or cup-bearer. In 2 Kings 18; 2 Chronicles 32, we have the previous history of the war. Hezekiah, on hearing Sennacheribs reproach, began to strengthen the fortifications of Jerusalem, called his officers and troops together, and made an appeal to their faith and courage. In Isaiah 22 we have the prophets view of those preparations. Probably by Isaiahs advice, who put no confidence in this boastful and blustering courage, Hezekiah sent to Sennacherib, who was then besieging Lachish, to sue for peace, acknowledging that he had offended. A penalty of three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold was imposed and paid, Hezekiah being reduced to empty his own treasury and that of the Temple, and even to strip the Temple doors and pillars of the plates of gold with which they were overlaid. Peace, however, was not to be had even at that price. Encouraged, perhaps, by this prompt submission, and tearing up the treaty (the breach of covenant of which Isaiah complains in Isa. 35:1), Sennacherib sent his officers, the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh (the names are all official titles) to demand an unconditional surrender.
He stood by the conduit of the upper pool.The spot was the same as that at which Isaiah had addressed Ahaz thirty or more years before (Isa. 7:3). It was probably chosen by the Rabshakeh as commanding one end of the aqueduct which supplied the city with water, and thus enabling him to threaten that he would cut off the supply (Isa. 36:12).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Sent Rabshakeh In 2Ki 18:17, Tartan and Rabsaris are added. These are not personal, but official, names; Rabshakeh means cupbearer. The Jews have a tradition that he was a renegade, or apostate Jew, as he spoke their language.
With a great army Probably only a portion of Sennacherib’s army.
By the conduit The aqueduct of the upper pool The upper Gihon “pool,” just a little northwest of the present Jaffa gate. [See illustrative map on page 158.] This was the place of conference on the terms of the city’s capitulation to the Assyrian. The highway is still in its old place, passing, as of old, the Gihon pool; and the washing places are also there. Roads in Palestine at present are little better than bridle paths. They have never changed in plan or condition since the Roman occupation of the country.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the launderer’s field’
‘The Rabshakeh.’ This was probably the king’s most powerful officer. It will be noted that he acted as spokesman. The word may mean ‘chief cupbearer’ or ‘head of rulers’. In the former case it does not mean that he was a table servant. Official Cupbearers were highly important, for they would receive the cup on the king’s behalf and taste it prior to handing it on, thus demonstrating that it was free from poison. They alone were in a position to slip in poison after they had drunk to test the drink. The chief cupbearer at court (compare Nehemiah’s influential position) did the same for the king, taking the cup from a servant, testing it, and then handing it to the king. He was thus very exalted, and was chosen because he was seen as totally trustworthy. The title thus indicated a powerful overall position of which the ‘cupbearing’ was but a small part. The title ‘head of rulers’ would more accurately describe what he was.
2Ki 18:17 tells us that he was accompanied by the Rabsaris (possibly rabu sa resi – ‘chief one who is at the head’) and the Tartan (turtanu – ‘commander in chief’). Such a powerful messenger as the Rabshakeh would not come alone but would also be attended by the chiefest of his officers. That the Rabshakeh took precedence demonstrates how important he was. His presence, and the presence of the other powerful men, also serves to indicate how important the submission of Hezekiah was seen to be.
‘From Lachish.’ That is, from where the siege of Lachish was taking place, or had been recently completed. Lachish was a very large city, and difficult to take. It was surrounded on three sides by the River Lachish, dry in summer but full in winter. But it did eventually succumb and the result of its capture was vividly portrayed in picture form on the walls of Sennacherib’s palace in Nineveh in commemoration of the event. That also demonstrates that he had failed to capture Jerusalem, the greatest prize of all, for had he done so it would have been that that was displayed.
The city was surrounded by a double wall with towers at intervals. The siege ramp in the south west corner has been identified in excavations and evidence of the siege, including sling stones, arrowheads and fragments of armour have all been found. The excavations demonstrate the tough opposition that Sennacherib faced. Mass burial caves related to the siege have been found nearby.
‘And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the launderer’s field.’ Compare Isa 7:3. The comparison is deliberate. It was the same place as the one where the son of David, Ahaz, had rejected God’s offer of deliverance. The implication is that had he accepted God’s offer, no enemy would ever have stood there. But now an enemy did stand there, who was the fruit of Ahaz’s choice. And he would once again give the house of David an opportunity to choose whether to follow Yahweh or not. It is a reminder to the reader that this is the result of Ahaz’s failure. Failure to trust God will always come back to haunt us by its consequences.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Isa 36:2. And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh The prophet omits what is related in 2Ki 18:14-16, that Hezekiah sent ambassadors to Sennacherib at Lachish. What is here related probably happened after Sennacherib returned from his Egyptian expedition. See Joseph. Antiq. book 10: chap. 1: Rabshakeh is thought to have been a name of office, signifying the principal cup-bearer, as Tartan and Rabsaris mentioned in 2Ki 18:17 signify the president of the council and the chief eunuch.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Rabshakeh: or, “political officer”. Probably a renegade Jew.
Lachish. Now Tell el Hesy, or Umm Lakis. See the work on the excavations there, published by the “Palestine Exploration Fund”. Compare note on 2Ki 18:17, and 2Ki 19:8.
with a great army. Foretold in Isa 29:1-6, as foretold in Isa 22:15-26.
he stood. In the same spot where Isaiah stood with Ahaz twenty-eight years before. See Isa 7:3.
highway. See note on Isa 7:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
am 3294, bc 710
sent: 2Ki 18:17-37, 2Ch 32:9-23
the conduit: Isa 7:3, Isa 22:9-11
Reciprocal: 2Sa 20:13 – the highway 1Ki 20:2 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rabshakeh is a title that seems about equivalent to field commander. The word literally means "chief cup-bearer," but this appears to have been the name of the original office from which the present one evolved. The chief cup-bearer was the king’s personal advisor (cf. Neh 1:11). Lachish stood about 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem. A bas relief, now in the British Museum, shows Sennacherib besieging Lachish. [Note: See J. B. Pritchard, ed., The Ancient Near East in Pictures, pp. 129-32.] Interestingly, the place where the Assyrian commander took his stand near Jerusalem was the same place where Isaiah had stood when he urged Ahaz to trust God 23 years earlier (cf. Isa 7:3). 2Ki 18:17 records that three military officials represented Sennacherib, but Isaiah referred to only the speaker among them. It was because Ahaz failed to trust God earlier that the Assyrian official stood there now (cf. Isa 8:5-8). The very nation that Ahaz had trusted proved to be the greatest threat to her safety only one generation later. Father and son both faced a threat of destruction, both recognized the inadequacy of their own strength, but one trusted man and suffered defeat whereas the other trusted God and enjoyed deliverance.