Rabshakeh's Taunt at Jerusalem

Isaiah 36

In the reign of Hezekiah, the Assyrian king Sennacherib sends his officer Rabshakeh with an army to the walls of Jerusalem. There he mocks Hezekiah's trust in Egypt and in the Lord, and urges the people in their own language to surrender rather than rely on their king or their God.

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

ThomsonIN the fourteenth year of the reign of Ezekias, Sennacherim king of the Assyrians came up against the fortified cities of Judea, and took them.

BrentonNow it came to pass in the fourteenth year of the reign of Ezekias, that Sennacherim, king of the Assyrians, came up against the strong cities of Judea, and took them.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο τοῦ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτου ἔτους βασιλεύοντος Ἑζεκίου, ἀνέβη Σενναχηρεὶμ βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων ἐπὶ τὰς πόλεις τῆς Ἰουδαίας τὰς ὀχυρὰς, καὶ ἔλαβεν αὐτάς.

KJVNow 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.

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

ThomsonAnd the king of the Assyrians sent Rabsakes from Lakes to Jerusalem, to king Ezekias, with a great army. And he halted at the canal of the upper pool in the high way to the fuller’s field.

BrentonAnd the king of the Assyrians sent Rabsaces out of Laches to Jerusalem to king Ezekias with a large force: and he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the way of the fuller's field.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων τὸν Ῥαβσάκην ἐκ Λάχης εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Ἐζεκίαν μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς· καὶ ἔστη ἐν τῷ ὑδραγωγῷ τῆς κολυμβήθρας τῆς ἄνω ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ ἀγροῦ τοῦ κναφέως.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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 fullers’field.

ThomsonAnd to him went out Eliakim the son of Chelkias the steward, and Somnas the scribe, and Joach son of Asaph the recorder.

BrentonAnd there went forth to him Heliakim the steward, the son of Chelcias, and Somnas the scribe, and Joach the son of Asaph, the recorder.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν Ἑλιακεὶμ ὁ τοῦ Χελκίου ὁ οἰκονόμος, καὶ Σόμνᾶς ὁ γραμματεὺς, καὶ Ἰωὰχ ὁ τοῦ Ἀσὰφ ὁ ὑπομνηματογράφος.

KJVThen came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah’s son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph’s son, the recorder.

JPSThen came forth unto him Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

ThomsonAnd Rabsakes said to them: Tell Ezekias, Thus saith the great king, the king of the Assyrians, On what hast thou placed confidence?

BrentonAnd Rabsaces said to them, Say to Ezekias, Thus says the great king, the king of the Assyrians, Why art thou secure?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ῥαβσάκης, εἴπατε Ἐζεκίᾳ, Τάδε λέγει ὁ βασιλεὺς ὁ μέγας, βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων, τί πεποιθὼς εἶ;

KJVAnd 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?

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?

ThomsonNotwithstanding negotiation and fair speeches, are not preparations making for war? Now therefore on whom hast thou relied, that thou rebellest against me?

BrentonIs war carried on with counsel and mere words of the lips? and now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

GreekΜὴ ἐν βουλῇ καὶ λόγοις χειλέων παράταξις γίνεται; καὶ νῦν ἐπὶ τίνα πέποιθας, ὅτι ἀπειθεῖς μοι;

KJVI 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?

JPSI said: It is but vain words; for counsel and strength are for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?

ThomsonBehold thy reliance is on that staff—that staff of reed—that broken reed, Egypt; on which if a man lean, it will pierce his hand and go through it. Such is Pharao king of Egypt to all who rely on him.

BrentonBehold, thou trustest on this bruised staff of reed, on Egypt: as soon as a man leans upon it, it shall go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharao king of Egypt and all that trust in him.

GreekἸδοὺ πεποιθὼς εἶ ἐπὶ τὴν ῥάβδον τὴν καλαμίνην τὴν τεθλασμένην ταύτην, ἐπʼ Αἴγυπτον· ὡς ἂν ἐπιστηρισθῇ ἀνὴρ ἐπʼ αὐτὴν, εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ, καὶ τρήσει αὐτὴν. οὕτως ἐστὶ Φαραὼ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου, καὶ πάντες οἱ πεποιθότες ἐπʼ αὐτῷ.

KJVLo, 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.

JPSBehold, 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 to all that trust on him.

ThomsonBut if you say, Our confidence is in the Lord our God;

BrentonBut if ye say, We trust in the Lord our God;

GreekΕἰ δὲ λέγετε, ἐπὶ Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν ἡμῶν πεποίθαμεν,

KJVBut 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?

JPSBut if thou 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?

Thomsonwere you now in close connexion with my master the king of the Assyrians, and were I to give you two thousand horses, could you put riders on them?

Brentonyet now make an agreement with my lord the king of the Assyrians, and I will give you two thousand horses, if ye shall be able to set riders upon them.

Greekνῦν μίχθητε τῷ κυρίῳ μου τῷ βασιλεῖ Ἀσσυρίων, καὶ δώσω ὑμῖν δισχιλίαν ἵππον, εἰ δυνήσεσθε δοῦναι ἀναβάτας ἐπʼ αὐτούς.

KJVNow 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.

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, can you revolt and affect to be petty princes? Those are reduced to slavery who have trusted in the Egyptians for charioteers and cavalry.

BrentonAnd how can ye then turn to the face of the satraps? They that trust on the Egyptians for horse and rider are our servants.

GreekΚαὶ πῶς δύνασθε ἀποστρέψαι εἰς πρόσωπον τῶν τοπαρχῶν· οἰκέται εἰσὶν, οἱ πεποιθότες ἐπʼ Αἴγυπτίοις, εἰς ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην.

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 master’s servants? yet thou puttest thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen!

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

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

GreekΚαὶ νῦν μὴ ἄνευ Κυρίου ἀνέβημεν ἐπὶ τὴν χώραν ταύτην πολεμῆσαι αὐτήν; Κύριος εἶπε πρὸς μὲ, ἀνάβηθι ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ταύτην, καὶ διάφθειρον αὐτήν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.’

ThomsonThen Eliakim and Somnas and Joach said to him, Speak to thy servants in Syriac, for we understand it. Therefore speak not to us in the Jewish language. Why speakest thou to the ears of the men on the walls?

BrentonThen Eliakim and Somnas and Joach said to him, Speak to thy servants in the Syrian tongue; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jewish tongue: and wherefore speakest thou in the ears of the men on the wall?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν Ἑλιακεὶμ, καὶ Σομνᾶς, καὶ Ἰωὰχ, λάλησον πρὸς τοὺς παῖδάς σου Συριστί· ἀκούομεν γὰρ ἡμεῖς· καὶ μὴ λάλει πρὸς ἡμᾶς Ἰουδαϊστί· καὶ ἱνατί λαλεῖς εἰς τὰ ὦτα τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐπὶ τῷ τείχει;

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rab-shakeh: ‘Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Aramean 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.’

ThomsonThereupon Rabsakes said to them, Hath my lord sent me to your lord or to you to speak these words? Was it not to those men—to them who are stationed on that wall, that they may eat dung and drink urine, both they and you together?

BrentonAnd Rabsaces said to them, Has my lord sent me to your lord or to you, to speak these words? has he not sent me to the men that sit on the wall, that they may eat dung, and drink their water together with you?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ῥαβσάκης, μὴ πρὸς τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν ἢ πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ κύριός μου, λαλῆσαι τοὺς λόγους τούτους; οὐχὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους τοὺς καθημένους ἐπὶ τῷ τείχει, ἵνα φάγωσι κόπρον, καὶ πίωσιν οὖρον μεθʼ ὑμῶν ἅμα;

KJVBut 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?

JPSBut Rab-shakeh 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, to eat their own dung, and to drink their own water with you?’

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

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

GreekΚαὶ ἔστη Ῥαβσάκης, καὶ ἀνεβόησε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ Ἰουδαϊστὶ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἀκούσατε τοὺς λόγους τοῦ βασιλέως τοῦ μεγάλου, βασιλέως Ἀσσυρίων.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen Rab-shakeh 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.

ThomsonThus saith the king, Let not Ezekias deceive you with speeches. He cannot deliver you.

Brentonthus says the king, Let not Ezekias deceive you with words: he will not be able to deliver you.

GreekΤάδε λέγει ὁ βασιλεύς, μὴ ἀπατάτω ὑμᾶς Ἐζεκίας λόγοις, οὐ δύνηται ῥύσασθαι ὑμᾶς.

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

JPSThus saith the king: Let not Hezekiah beguile you, for he will not be able to deliver you;

ThomsonAnd let not Ezekias say to you, God will deliver you; and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of the Assyrians.

BrentonAnd let not Ezekias say to you, That God will deliver you, and this city will not at all be delivered into the hand of the king of the Assyrians.

GreekΚαὶ μὴ λεγέτω ὑμῖν Ἐζεκίας, ὅτι ῥύσεται ὑμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ 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: 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; this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.

ThomsonHearken not to Ezekias. Thus saith the king of the Assyrians, If you wish to be happy, come out to me; and eat, every one, of his own vine and his own fig trees, and drink water from your own cisterns,

BrentonHearken not to Ezekias: thus says the king of the Assyrians, If ye wish to be blessed, come out to me: and ye shall eat every one of his vine and his fig-trees, and ye shall drink water out of your own cisterns;

GreekΜὴ ἀκούετε Ἐζεκίου· τάδε λέγει ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἀσσυρίων, εἰ βούλεσθε εὐλογηθῆναι, ἐκπορεύεσθε πρὸς μέ, καὶ φάγεσθε ἕκαστος τὴν ἄμπελον αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰς συκὰς, καὶ πίεσθε ὕδωρ ἐκ τοῦ λάκκου ὑμῶν,

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 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;

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 of bread and vineyards.

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

Greekἕως ἂν ἔλθω, καὶ λάβω ὑμᾶς εἰς γῆν, ὡς ἡ γῆ ὑμῶν, γῆ σίτου καὶ οἴνου καὶ ἄρτων καὶ ἀμπελώνων.

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.

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.

ThomsonLet not Ezekias deceive you saying, God will deliver you. Have the gods of the nations, delivered every one his own country out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians?

BrentonLet not Ezekias deceive you, saying, God will deliver you. Have the gods of the nations delivered each one his own land out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians?

GreekΜὴ ἀπατάτω ὑμᾶς Ἐζεκίας, λέγων, ὁ Θεὸς ῥύσεται ὑμᾶς· μὴ ἐῤῥύσαντο οἱ θεοὶ τῶν ἐθνῶν, ἕκαστος τὴν ἑαῦτοῦ χώραν ἐκ χειρὸς βασιλέως Ἀσσυρίων;

KJVBeware 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?

JPSBeware 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?

ThomsonWhere is the God of Emath and Arphath? And where is the God of the city Eppharuim? Were they able to deliver Samaria out of my hand?

BrentonWhere is the god of Emath, and Arphath? and where is the god of Eppharuaim? have they been able to deliver Samaria out of my hand?

GreekΠοῦ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς Ἐμὰθ καὶ Ἀρφάθ; καὶ ποῦ ὁ θεὸς τῆς πόλεως Ἐπφαρουαίμ; μὴ ἐδύναντο ῥύσασθαι Σαμάρειαν ἐκ χειρός μου;

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

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

ThomsonWho is there of all the gods of the nations who hath delivered his country out of my hand, that God should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

BrentonWhich is the god of all these nations, that has delivered his land out of my hand, that God should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

GreekΤίς τῶν θεῶν πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν τούτων, ὅστις ἐῤῥύσατο τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ ἐκ χειρός μου, ὅτι ῥύσεται ὁ Θεὸς τὴν Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐκ χειρός μου;

KJVWho 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?

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

ThomsonBut they were silent and none answered him a word, because the king had given a charge that none should answer.

BrentonAnd they were silent, and none answered him a word; because the king had commanded that none should answer.

GreekΚαὶ ἐσιώπησαν, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ λόγον, διὰ τὸ προστάξαι τὸν βασιλέα μηδένα ἀποκριθῆναι.

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

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

ThomsonThen Eliakim the son of Chelkias the steward, and Somnas the secretary at war and Joach the son of Asaph the recorder went to Ezekias with their clothes rent and told him the words of Rabsakes.

BrentonAnd Heliakim the son of Chelcias, the steward, and Somnas the military scribe, and Joach the son of Asaph, the recorder, came in to Ezekias, having their garments rent, and they reported to him the words of Rabsaces.

GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ἑλιακεὶμ ὁ τοῦ Χελκίου, οἰκονόμος, καὶ Σομνᾶς ὁ γραμματεὺς τῆς δυνάμεως, καὶ Ἰωὰχ ὁ τοῦ Ἀσὰφ ὁ ὑπομνηματογράφος, πρὸς Ἐζεκίαν, ἐσχισμένοι τοὺς χιτῶνας, καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτῷ τοὺς λόγους Ῥαβσάκου.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen 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 Rab-shakeh.