Isaiah Chapter 36

At a Glance

  • Isaiah 36 presents a vivid historical narrative within the broader framework of Hezekiah’s crisis with Assyria.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • This chapter is part of the historical-eschatological arc in Isaiah, set during the Assyrian crisis in the late 8th century BCE.
  • As a narrative within prophetic literature, the chapter showcases how political events are read through the lens of faith.
  • trust in politics: The central choice facing Judah.

Chapter Overview

Isaiah 36 presents a vivid historical narrative within the broader framework of Hezekiah’s crisis with Assyria. Rabshakeh, the Assyrian envoy, stands before the walls of Jerusalem and delivers a forceful challenge to rely on human powers—Egypt, chariots, and weapons—against the Assyrian might. His rhetoric is designed to undermine trust in God, appealing to political calculation and fear. He repeats a taunt: “What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?” and asserts that surrender would secure safety, while independence in trust toward the Lord is portrayed as folly. Hezekiah’s officials respond with a measured exchange, and the chapter highlights the tension between political realism and covenant faith.

Rabshakeh’s speech embodies the broader political theology of the era: nations rely on military strength rather than divine protection, and rulers tempt their people to place trust in tangible power rather than the God of Israel. The chapter’s core action is not merely a siege narrative; it is a theological contest over where security resides. The narrative invites readers to consider how fear, pride, and political strategy interact with faith. It ends with the question of whether the people will place their confidence in human deliverance or in the God who delivered Israel in the past, prompting readers to reflect on the source of true security.

Historical & Literary Context

This chapter is part of the historical-eschatological arc in Isaiah, set during the Assyrian crisis in the late 8th century BCE. The Rabshakeh speech captures imperial propaganda and the political strategies employed to break Judah’s resistance. The passage uses dialogue and rhetorical taunts to foreground a clash of worldviews: the Assyrian empire’s militarism versus the covenant faith of Jerusalem.

As a narrative within prophetic literature, the chapter showcases how political events are read through the lens of faith. It foreshadows the broader themes of divine deliverance versus reliance on human means that recur throughout Isaiah and into later biblical books.

Key Themes

- Trust in God vs. trust in politics: The central choice facing Judah.

- The propaganda of empires: Rhetoric designed to induce fear and capitulation.

- Covenant faith under pressure: Hezekiah’s reliance on the Lord tested against reality.

- The sovereignty of God over human plans: God’s eventual intervention remains the decisive factor.

Modern Application

In contemporary life, Isaiah 36 challenges believers to examine where they place security—economic systems, political power, technology, or God’s steadfast faithfulness. It invites a posture of discernment in the face of fear-mongering and propaganda, urging reliance on prayer, communal wisdom, and faithful obedience rather than panic-driven decisions.

The chapter can serve as a reminder of how leaders and communities respond under pressure: do we seek pragmatic safety at the expense of trust in God, or do we anchor ourselves in God’s promises even when circumstances look dire? It also highlights the importance of honest dialogue, wise discernment, and courageous leadership that calls people to faith rather than surrender.

- 2 Kings 18-19 (historical parallel of Hezekiah and Assyria)

- Psalm 20 (trust in the Lord in the day of trouble)

- Isaiah 37 (Hezekiah’s prayer and divine deliverance)

- Psalm 33 (the Lord’s kingship and protection)

Recommended Personas

- Hezekiah (faith under pressure and prayerful leadership)

- Jesus (trust in God over worldly power)

- Paul (faith under persecution and the power of God)

Chapter Text

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.

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?

5

I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

6

Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.

7

But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?

8

Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

9

How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

10

And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.

11

Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

12

But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?

13

Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.

14

Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.

15

Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.

16

Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;

17

Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.

18

Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

19

Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?

20

Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

21

But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

22

Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that 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.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

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