The Assyrian Threat to Jerusalem

2 Kings 18

Hezekiah becomes king of Judah, removes the high places and other objects of idolatrous worship, and trusts in the Lord as none before him had. When Sennacherib king of Assyria invades Judah and besieges its cities, his officer Rapsakes comes to Jerusalem and delivers a taunting speech before the people on the wall, urging them not to trust in Hezekiah or in the Lord.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW in the third year of Osea son of Ela king of Israel, Ezekias son of Achaz king of Juda acted as king.

BrentonAnd it came to pass in the third year of Osee son of Ela king of Israel that Ezekias son of Achaz king of Juda began to reign.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν ἔτει τρίτῳ τῷ Ὠσηὲ υἱῷ Ἠλὰ βασιλεῖ Ἰσραὴλ ἐβασίλευσεν Ἐζεκίας υἱὸς Ἄχαζ βασιλέως Ἰούδα.

KJVNow it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

JPSNow it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

ThomsonHe was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem, and his mother’s name was Abu, a daughter of Zacharias.

BrentonFive and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Abu, daughter of Zacharias.

GreekΥἱὸς εἴκοσι καὶ πέντε ἐτῶν ἐν τῷ βασιλεύειν αὐτὸν, καὶ εἴκοσι καὶ ἐννέα ἔτη ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ὄνομα τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ Ἄβού, θυγάτηρ Ζαχαρίου.

KJVTwenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

JPSTwenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.

ThomsonHe did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.

BrentonAnd he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David did.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε τὸ εὐθὲς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Κυρίου κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησε Δαυὶδ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.

JPSAnd he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.

ThomsonHe removed the high places and broke in pieces the pillars and destroyed the bowers and the brazen serpent which Moses made. Because in those days the Israelites were burning incense to it, therefore he called it Neesthan.

BrentonHe removed the high places, and broke in pieces the pillars, and utterly destroyed the groves, and the brazen serpent which Moses made: because until those days the children of Israel burnt incense to it: and he called it Neesthan.

GreekΑὐτὸς ἐξῆρε τὰ ὑψηλὰ, καὶ συνέτριψε τὰς στήλας, καὶ ἐξωλέθρευσε τὰ ἄλση, καὶ τὸν ὄφιν τὸν χαλκοῦν ὃν ἐποίησε Μωυσῆς, ὅτι ἕως τῶν ἡμερῶν ἐκείνων ἦσαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ θυμιῶντες αὐτῷ· καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτὸν Νεεσθάν.

KJVHe removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

JPSHe removed the high places, and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah; and he broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made; for unto those days the children of Israel did offer to it; and it was called Nehushtan.

ThomsonHe trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that there was not after him one like him among the kings of Juda, nor among those who were before him.

BrentonHe trusted in the Lord God of Israel; and after him there was not any like him among the kings of Juda, nor among those that were before him.

GreekἘν Κυρίῳ Θεῷ Ἰσραὴλ ἤλπισεν, καὶ μετʼ αὐτὸν οὐκ ἐγενήθη ὅμοιος αὐτῷ ἐν βασιλεῦσιν Ἰούδα, καὶ ἐν τοῖς γενομένοις ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ.

KJVHe trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.

JPSHe trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel;

ThomsonFor he cleaved to the Lord and departed not from following Him, and kept all His commandments which He had given in charge to Moses.

BrentonAnd he clave to the Lord, he departed not from following him; and he kept his commandments, as many as he commanded Moses.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκολλήθη τῷ Κυρίῳ, οὐκ ἀπέστη ὄπισθεν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐφύλαξε τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ ὅσας ἐνετείλατο Μωυσῇ.

KJVFor he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.

JPSFor he cleaved to the LORD, he departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.

ThomsonAnd the Lord was with him and assisted him in all that he did. And he revolted from the king of Assyria and would not serve him.

BrentonAnd the Lord was with him; and he was wise in all that he undertook: and he revolted from the king of the Assyrians, and served him not.

GreekΚαὶ ἦν Κύριος μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν οἷς ἐποίει, συνῆκε· καὶ ἠθέτησεν ἐν τῷ βασιλεῖ Ἀσσυρίων, καὶ οὐκ ἐδούλευσεν αὐτῷ.

KJVAnd the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

JPSAnd the LORD was with him: whithersoever he went forth he prospered; and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

ThomsonHe smote the Philistines even to Gaza and the border thereof, from the watch tower to the fenced city.

BrentonHe smote the Philistines even to Gaza, and to the border of it, from the tower of the watchmen even to the strong city.

GreekΑὐτὸς ἐπάταξεν τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους ἕως Γάζης, καὶ ἕως ὁρίου αὐτῆς ἀπὸ πύργου φυλασσόντων καὶ ἕως πόλεως ὀχυρᾶς.

KJVHe smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

JPSHe smote the Philistines unto Gaza and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.

ThomsonNow in the fourth year of Ezekias which was the seventh year of Osea son of Ela king of Israel, Salamanasser king of Assyria came up against Samaria and besieged it,

BrentonAnd it came to pass in the fourth year of king Ezekias (this is the seventh year of Osee son of Ela king of Israel,) that Salamanassar king of the Assyrians came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἔτει τῷ τετάρτῳ βασιλεῖ Ἐζεκίᾳ, αὐτὸς ἐνιαυτὸς ὁ ἕβδομος τῷ Ὠσηὲ υἱῷ Ἠλὰ βασιλεῖ Ἰσραήλ, ἀνέβη Σαλαμανασσὰρ βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων ἐπὶ Σαμάρειαν, καὶ ἐπολιόρκει ἐπʼ αὐτὴν,

KJVAnd it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

JPSAnd it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

Thomsonand took it at the end of three years. In the sixth year of Ezekias, which was the ninth of Osea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.

BrentonAnd he took it at the end of three years, in the sixth year of Ezekias, (this is the ninth year of Osee king of Israel, when Samaria was taken.)

Greekκαὶ κατελάβετο αὐτὴν ἀπὸ τέλους τριῶν ἐτῶν ἐν ἔτει ἕκτῳ τῷ Ἑζεκίᾳ, αὐτὸς ἐνιαυτὸς ἔννατος τῷ Ὠσηὲ βασιλεῖ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ συνελήμφθη Σαμάρεια.

KJVAnd at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.

JPSAnd at the end of three years they took it; even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.

ThomsonAnd the king of Assyria removed the Samaritans to Assyria, and placed them along the Alae and the Abor, a river of Gozan, and on the mountains of the Medes,

BrentonAnd the king of the Assyrians carried away the Samaritans to Assyria, and put them in Alaë and in Abor, by the river Gozan, and in the mountains of the Medes;

GreekΚαὶ ἀπῴκισε βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων τὴν Σαμάρειαν εἰς Ἀσσυρίους, καὶ ἔθηκεν αὐτοὺς ἐν Ἁλαὲ καὶ ἐν Ἀβὼρ ποταμῷ Γωζὰν καὶ ὄρὴ Μήδων·

KJVAnd the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:

JPSAnd the king of Assyria carried Israel away unto Assyria, and put them in Halah, and in Habor, on the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes;

Thomsonbecause they had not hearkened to the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed His covenant—and, with regard to all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, had neither hearkened to them nor done them.

Brentonbecause they hearkened not to the voice of the Lord their God, and transgressed his covenant, even in all things that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and hearkened not to them, nor did them.

Greekἀνθʼ ὧν ὅτι οὐκ ἤκουσαν τῆς φωνῆς Κυρίου Θεοῦ αὐτῶν, καὶ παρέβησαν τὴν διαθήκην αὐτοῦ πάντα ὅσα ἐνετείλατο Μωυσῆς ὁ δοῦλος Κυρίου, καὶ οὐκ ἤκουσαν καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησαν.

KJVBecause they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.

JPSbecause they hearkened not to the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed His covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear it, nor do it.

ThomsonAnd in the fourteenth of king Ezekias, Sennacherim the king of the Assyrians came up against the fortified cities of Juda, and when he had taken some of them,

BrentonAnd in the fourteenth year of king Ezekias came up Sennacherim king of the Assyrians against the strong cities of Juda, and took them.

GreekΚαὶ τῷ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῳ ἔτει ἔτει τοῦ βασιλέως βασιλέως Ἑζεκίου ἀνέβη Σενναχηρὶμ βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων ἐπὶ τὰς πόλεις Ἰούδα τὰς ὀχυρὰς, καὶ συνέλαβεν αὐτάς.

KJVNow in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.

JPSNow in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fortified cities of Judah, and took them.

ThomsonEzekias king of Juda sent messengers to the king of Assyria at Lachis, saying, I have done wrong. Depart from me. Whatever thou imposest on me I will bear. Thereupon the king of Assyria imposed on Ezekias king of Juda, three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

BrentonAnd Ezekias king of Juda sent messengers to the king of the Assyrians to Lachis, saying, I have offended; depart from me: whatsoever thou shalt lay upon me, I will bear. And the king of Assyria laid upon Ezekias king of Juda a tribute of three hundred talents of silver, and thirty talents of gold.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἐζεκίας βασιλεὺς Ἰούδα ἀγγέλους πρὸς βασιλέα Ἀσσυρίων εἰς Λαχὶς, λέγων, ἡμάρτηκα, ἀποστράφηθι ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ· ὃ ἐὰν ἐπιθῇς ἐπʼ ἐμὲ, βαστάσω· καὶ ἐπέθηκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων ἐπὶ Ἑζεκίαν βασιλέα Ἰούδα τριακόσια τάλαντα ἀργυρίου, καὶ τριάκοντα τάλαντα χρυσίου.

KJVAnd Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

JPSAnd Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying: ‘I have offended; return from me; that which thou puttest on me will I bear.’ And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

ThomsonAnd Ezekias gave him all the silver which was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasury of the king’s house.

BrentonAnd Ezekias gave all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king's house.

GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκεν Ἑζεκίας πᾶν τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ εὑρεθὲν ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου, καὶ ἐν θησαυροῖς οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως.

KJVAnd Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house.

JPSAnd Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house.

ThomsonAt that time Ezekias cut up the doors of the temple, and the braces which he, Ezekias king of Juda, had overlaid with gold, and gave them to the king of Assyria.

BrentonAt that time Ezekias cut off the gold from the doors of the temple, and from the pillars which Ezekias king of Juda had overlaid with gold, and gave it to the king of the Assyrians.

GreekἘν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ συνέκοψεν Ἑζεκίας τὰς θύρας ναοῦ, καὶ τὰ ἐστηριγμένα ἃ ἐχρύσωσεν Ἑζεκίας ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἰούδα, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὰ βασιλεῖ Ἀσσυρίων.

KJVAt that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.

JPSAt that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the door-posts which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.

ThomsonNevertheless the king of Assyria sent Tharthan and Raphis, and Rapsakes of Lachis, to king Ezekias with a great army against Jerusalem. And when they had marched up and arrived at Jerusalem they halted at the conduit of the upper pool, which is by the high way to the fuller’s field,

BrentonAnd the king of the Assyrians sent Tharthan and Raphis and Rapsakes from Lachis to king Ezekias with a strong force against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem, and stood by the aqueduct of the upper pool, which is by the way of the fuller's field.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων τὸν Θανθὰν καὶ τὸν Ῥαφὶς καὶ τὸν Ῥαψάκην ἐκ Λαχὶς πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Ἑζεκίαν ἐν δυνάμει βαρείᾳ ἐπὶ Ἱερουσαλήμ· καὶ ἀνέβησαν καὶ ἦλθον εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἔστησαν ἐν τῷ ὑδραγωγῷ τῆς κολυμβήθρας τῆς ἄνω, ἥ ἐστιν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ ἀγροῦ τοῦ γναφέως.

KJVAnd the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller’s field.

JPSAnd the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rab-shakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army unto Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fullers’field.

Thomsonand cried to Ezekias. And there went out to him Eliakim son of Chelkias, the steward, and Somnas the secretary, and Joas son of Saphat, the recorder.

BrentonAnd they cried to Ezekias: and there came to him Heliakim the son of Chelcias the steward, and Somnas the scribe, and Joas the son of Saphat the recorder.

GreekΚαὶ ἐβόησαν πρὸς Ἐζεκίαν· καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν Ἑλιακὶμ υἱὸς Χελκίου ὁ οἰκονόμος, καὶ Σωμνὰς ὁ γραμματεὺς, καὶ Ἰωὰς ὁ νἱὸς Σαφὰτ ὁ ἀναμιμνήσκων.

KJVAnd when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

JPSAnd when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

ThomsonAnd Rapsakes said to them, Say, I pray you, to Ezekias, Thus saith the king, the great king of the Assyrians: Of what avail is that confidence on which thou hast relied?

BrentonAnd Rapsakes said to them, Say now to Ezekias, Thus says the king, the great king of the Assyrians, What is this confidence wherein thou trustest?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ῥαψάκης, εἴπατε δὴ πρὸς Ἐζεκίαν, τάδε λέγει ὁ βασιλεὺς, ὁ μέγας βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων, τί ἡ πεποίθησις αὕτη ἣν πέποιθας;

KJVAnd Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?

JPSAnd Rab-shakeh said unto them: ‘Say ye now to Hezekiah: Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria: What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?

ThomsonThou saidst—but they were vain words—I have counsel and strength for war.

BrentonThou hast said, (but they are mere words,) I have counsel and strength for war. Now then in whom dost thou trust, that thou hast revolted from me?

GreekΕἶπας, πλὴν λόγοι χειλέων, Βουλὴ καὶ δύναμις εἰς πόλεμον· νῦν οὖν τίνι πεποιθὼς ἠθέτησας ἐν ἐμοί;

KJVThou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

JPSSayest thou that a mere word of the lips is counsel and strength for the war? Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?

Thomson—

BrentonSee now, art thou trusting for thyself on this broken staff of reed, even upon Egypt? whosoever shall stay himself upon it, it shall even go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharao king of Egypt to all that trust on him.

GreekΝῦν ἰδοὺ πέποιθας σαυτῷ ἐπὶ τὴν ῥἁβδον τὴν καλαμίνην τὴς τεθλασμένην ταύτην, ἐπʼ Αἴγυπτον; ὃς ἂν στηριχθῇ ἀνὴρ ἐπʼ αὐτὴν, καὶ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ, καὶ τρήσει αὐτήν· οὕτως Φαραὼ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου πᾶσι τοῖς πεποιθόσιν ἐπʼ αὐτόν.

KJVNow, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

JPSNow, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it; so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

ThomsonPerhaps thou leanest on that staff—that broken reed—on Egypt; on which if anyone lean, it will enter his hand and pierce it. Such is Pharao king of Egypt to all who trust in him. As to thy telling me, We have relied on the Lord God; is not this He, Whose high places and whose altars Ezekias hath pulled down, saying to Juda and Jerusalem, You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

BrentonAnd whereas thou hast said to me, We trust on the Lord God: is not this he, whose high places and altars Ezekias has removed, and has said to Juda and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

GreekΚαὶ ὅτι εἶπας πρὸς μὲ, ἐπὶ Κύριον Θεὸν πεποίθαμεν· οὐχὶ αὐτὸς οὗτος ἀπέστησεν Ἐζεκίας τὰ ὑψηλὰ αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ θυσιαστήρια αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπε τῷ Ἰούδᾳ καὶ τῇ Ἱερουσαλὴμ, ἐνώπιον τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου τούτου προσκυνήσετε ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ;

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

JPSBut if ye say unto me: We trust in the LORD our God; is not that He, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and to Jerusalem: Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

ThomsonThough you were now in close connexion with my master the king of Assyria, and I were to give thee two thousand horses, couldst thou, I pray thee, mount for thyself riders on them?

BrentonAnd now, I pray you, make an agreement with my lord the king of the Assyrians, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou shalt be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν μίχθητε δὴ τῷ κυρίῳ μου βασιλεῖ Ἀσσυρίων, καὶ δώσω σοι δισχιλίους ἵππους, εἰ δυνήσῃ δοῦναι σεαυτῷ ἐπιβάτας ἐπʼ αὐτούς.

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

JPSNow therefore, I pray thee, make a wager with 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.

ThomsonHow then canst thou turn back the face of a petty governor—one of the lowest servants of my lord, relying on Egypt for chariots and horsemen?

BrentonHow then wilt thou turn away the face of one petty governor from among the least of my lord's servants? whereas thou trustest for thyself on Egypt for chariots and horsemen.

GreekΚαὶ πῶς ἀποστρέψεις τὸ πρόσωπον τοπάρχου ἑνὸς τῶν δούλων τοῦ κυρίου μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων; καὶ ἤλπισας σαυτῷ ἐπʼ Αἴγυπτον εἰς ἅρματα καὶ ἱππεῖς.

KJVHow 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?

JPSHow then canst thou turn away the face of one captain, even of the least of my masters servants? and yet thou puttest thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen!

ThomsonAnd now are we come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord hath said to me, Go up against that land and destroy it.

BrentonAnd now have we come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν μὴ ἄνευ Κυρίου ἀνέβημεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τοῦτον τοῦ διαφθεῖραι αὐτόν; Κύριος εἶπε πρὸς μὲ, ἀνάβηθι ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ταύτην καὶ διάφθειρον αὐτήν.

KJVAm I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.

JPSAm I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said unto me: Go up against this land, destroy it.’

ThomsonThen Eliakim son of Chelkias, and Somnas and Joas, said to Rapsakes, Speak, we pray thee, to thy servants in Syriac, for we understand it. Therefore speak not to us in the Jewish* language. Why shouldst thou speak to the ears of the people on the wall?

BrentonAnd Heliakim the son of Chelkias, and Somnas, and Joas, said to Rapsakes, Speak now to thy servants in the Syrian language, for we understand it; and speak not with us in the Jewish language: and why dost thou speak in the ears of the people that are on the wall?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἑλιακὶμ υἱὸς Χελκίου καὶ Σωμνὰς καὶ Ἰωὰς πρὸς Ῥαψάκην, λάλησον δὴ πρὸς τοὺς παῖδάς σου Συριστὶ, ὅτι ἀκούομεν ἡμεῖς· καὶ οὐ λαλήσεις μεθʼ ἡμῶν Ἰουδαϊστὶ· καὶ ἱνατί λαλεῖς ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶ τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ τείχους;

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

JPSThen said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, unto Rab-shakeh: ‘Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Aramean language; for we understand it; and speak not with us in the Jews’language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.’

ThomsonThereupon Rapsakes said to them, Did my master send me to thy master or to thee, to deliver this message? Was it not to those men who are set on that wall that they may eat their own ordure and drink their own urine?

BrentonAnd Rapsakes said to them, Has my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? has he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own water together with you?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ῥαψάκης, μὴ ἐπὶ τὸν κύριόν σου καὶ πρὸς σὲ ἀπέστειλέ με ὁ κύριός μου λαλῆσαι τοὺς λόγους τούτους; οὐχὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας τοὺς καθημένους ἐπὶ τοῦ τείχους, τοῦ φαγεῖν τὴν κόπρον αὐτῶν, καὶ πιεῖν τὸ οὖρον αὐτῶν μεθʼ ὑμῶν ἅμα;

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

JPSBut Rab-shakeh said unto them: ‘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 on the wall, to eat their own dung, and to drink their own water with you?’

ThomsonThen Rapsakes stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jewish language and said, Hear the words of the great king of the Assyrians.

BrentonAnd Rapsakes stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jewish language, and spoke, and said, Hear the words of the great king of the Assyrians:

GreekΚαὶ ἔστη Ῥαψάκης καὶ ἐβόησε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ Ἰουδαϊστὶ, καὶ ἐλάλησε καὶ εἶπεν, ἀκούσατε τοὺς λόγους τοῦ μεγάλου βασιλέως Ἀσσυρίων.

KJVThen Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:

JPSThen Rab-shakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’language, and spoke, saying: ‘Hear ye the word of the great king, the king of Assyria.

ThomsonThus saith the king, Let not Ezekias deceive you; for he cannot deliver you out of his hand.

Brentonthus says the king, Let not Ezekias encourage you with words: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand.

GreekΤάδε λέγει ὁ βασιλεὺς, μὴ ἐπαιρέτω ὑμᾶς Ἐζεκίας λόγοις, ὅτι οὐ μὴ δύνηται ὑμᾶς ἐξελέσθαι ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτοῦ.

KJVThus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:

JPSThus saith the king: Let not Hezekiah beguile you; for he will not be able to deliver you out of his hand;

ThomsonNeither let Ezekias cause you to trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will deliver us—this city shall not be delivered into the hands of the king of the Assyrians. Hearken not to Ezekias.

BrentonAnd let not Ezekias cause you to trust on the Lord, saying, The Lord will certainly deliver us; this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of the Assyrians: hearken not to Ezekias:

GreekΚαὶ μὴ ἐπελπιζέτω ὑμᾶς Ἐζεκίας πρὸς Κὺριον, λέγων, ἐξαιρούμενος ἐξελεῖται Κύριος, οὐ μὴ παραδοθῇ ἡ πόλις αὕτη ἐν χειρὶ βασιλέως Ἀσσυρίων.

KJVNeither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.

JPSneither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying: The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.

ThomsonFor thus saith the king of the Assyrians, Make peace with me and come out to me. And everyone shall drink of his own vine, and everyone shall eat of his own fig tree, and drink the water of his own cistern;

Brentonfor thus says the king of the Assyrians, Gain my favour, and come forth to me, and every man shall drink of the wine of his own vine, and every man shall eat of his own fig-tree, and shall drink water out of his own cistern;

GreekΜὴ ἀκούετε Ἐζεκίου· ὅτι τάδε λέγει ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων, ποιήσατε μετʼ ἐμοῦ εὐλογίαν, καὶ ἐξέλθατε πρὸς μὲ, καὶ πίεται ἀνὴρ τὴν ἄμπελον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀνὴρ τὴν συκῆν αὐτοῦ φάγεται, καὶ πίεται ὕδωρ τοῦ λάκκου αὐτοῦ,

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

JPSHearken not to Hezekiah; for thus saith the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me, 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;

Thomsonuntil I come and take you to a land like your own—a land of corn and wine, and bread and vineyards—a land of olive oil and honey, that you may live and not die. Hearken not to Ezekias: for he deceiveth you, saying, The Lord will deliver us.

Brentonuntil I come and remove you to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, and bread and vineyards, a land of olive oil, and honey, and ye shall live and not die: and do not ye hearken to Ezekias, for he deceives you, saying, The Lord shall deliver you.

Greekἕως ἔλθω καὶ λάβω ὑμᾶς εἰς γῆν ὡς γῆ ὑμῶν, γῆ σίτου καὶ οἴνου καὶ ἄρτου καὶ ἀμπελώνων, γῆ ἐλαίας ἐλαίου καὶ μέλιτος, καὶ ζήσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνητε· καὶ μὴ ἀκούετε Ἐζεκίου, ὅτι ἀπατᾷ ὑμᾶς, λέγων, Κύριος ῥύσεται ὑμᾶς.

KJVUntil 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, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.

JPSuntil 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, a land of olive-trees and of honey, that ye may live, and not die; and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying: The LORD will deliver us.

ThomsonHave the gods of the nations delivered their respective countries out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians?

BrentonHave the gods of the nations at all delivered each their own land out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians?

GreekΜὴ ῥυόμενοι ἐῤῥύσαντο οἱ θεοὶ τῶν ἐθνῶν ἕκαστος τὴν ἑαυτοῦ χώραν ἐκ χειρὸς βασιλέως Ἀσσυρίων;

KJVHath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

JPSHath any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

ThomsonWhere is the god of Aimath and Arphad? Where is the god of Seppharuim, Ana and Aba? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?

BrentonWhere is the god of Hæmath, and of Arphad? where is the god of Seppharvaim, Ana, and Aba? for have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?

GreekΠοῦ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς Αἱμὰθ, καὶ Ἀρφάδ; ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς Σεπφαρουαῒμ, Ἀνὰ, καὶ Ἀβὰ, ὅτι ἐξείλαντο Σαμάρειαν ἐκ χειρός μου;

KJVWhere are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?

JPSWhere are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah? have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?

ThomsonWho is there among all the gods of these countries who have delivered their countries out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of it?

BrentonWho is there among all the gods of the countries, who have delivered their countries out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

GreekΤίς ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς θεοῖς τῶν γαιῶν, οἳ ἐξείλαντο τὰς γᾶς αὐτῶν ἐκ χειρός μου, ὅτι ἐξελεῖται Κύριος τὴν Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐκ χειρός μου;

KJVWho are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?

JPSWho are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’

ThomsonBut they held their peace and answered him not a word, For this was the king’s command: Make him no answer.

BrentonBut the men were silent, and answered him not a word: for there was a commandment of the king, saying, Ye shall not answer him.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκώφευσαν καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ λόγον, ὅτι ἐντολὴ τοῦ βασιλέως, λέγων, οὐκ ἀποκριθήσεσθε αὐτῷ.

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

JPSBut the people held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, saying: ‘Answer him not.’

ThomsonThen came Eliakim son of Chelkias the steward, and Somnas the secretary, and Joas the son of Saphat the recorder to Ezekias, with their clothes rent and told him the words of Rapsakes.

BrentonAnd Heliakim the son of Chelcias, the steward, and Somnas the scribe, and Joas the son of Saphat the recorder came in to Ezekias, having rent their garments; and they reported to him the words of Rapsakes.

GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ἐλιακὶμ υἱὸς Χελκίου ὁ οἰκονόμος, καὶ Σωμνὰς ὁ γραμματεὺς, καὶ Ἰωὰς υἱὸς Σαφὰτ ὁ ἀναμιμνήσκων πρὸς Ἐζεκίαν, διεῤῥηχότες τὰ ἱμάτια, καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτῷ τοὺς λόγους Ῥαψάκου.

KJVThen came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which 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.

JPSThen came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who 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 Rab-shakeh.