Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall." Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the RabshakehEliakim, Shebnah, and Joah were officials in King Hezekiah's court, representing the leadership of Judah. Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, was the palace administrator, a position of significant authority and responsibility. Shebnah, initially the royal secretary, is later demoted, indicating possible political shifts or divine disfavor. Joah, the recorder, was responsible for chronicling events, highlighting the importance of this encounter. The Rabshakeh was an Assyrian military officer, likely a high-ranking official, sent by King Sennacherib to negotiate or intimidate. This meeting underscores the political tension and the threat Judah faced from the powerful Assyrian empire. “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it.
Aramaic was the diplomatic and trade language of the Near East, understood by educated officials but not by the common people. The request to use Aramaic indicates the officials' desire to keep the conversation private, avoiding panic among the people. This reflects the broader cultural and linguistic landscape of the region, where Aramaic served as a lingua franca. The use of Aramaic also highlights the officials' education and their attempt to manage the situation diplomatically. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”
Hebrew was the language of the people of Judah, and speaking in Hebrew would make the conversation accessible to the common citizens. The officials' request to avoid Hebrew suggests their concern about maintaining morale and preventing fear or rebellion among the populace. The people on the wall likely included soldiers and citizens who would be directly affected by the Assyrian threat. This phrase illustrates the tension between transparency and control in leadership, as well as the psychological warfare employed by the Assyrians to undermine confidence in Hezekiah's leadership. Persons / Places / Events 1. Eliakim son of HilkiahA high-ranking official in King Hezekiah's court, serving as the palace administrator. He played a significant role in the negotiations with the Assyrian envoy. 2. ShebnaAnother official in Hezekiah's court, likely serving as the royal secretary or scribe. He was involved in the diplomatic discussions with the Assyrians. 3. JoahThe son of Asaph, serving as the recorder or chronicler in Hezekiah's administration. He was present during the negotiations with the Assyrian envoy. 4. RabshakehA high-ranking Assyrian military officer and spokesman for King Sennacherib, sent to deliver a message to King Hezekiah and his people. 5. The Wall of JerusalemThe setting for this encounter, where the Assyrian envoy addressed the people of Jerusalem, creating a tense and fearful atmosphere. Teaching Points The Power of Language and CommunicationLanguage can be a tool for unity or division. Eliakim and his colleagues requested the use of Aramaic to prevent panic among the people, showing the strategic use of language in leadership. Wisdom in LeadershipThe officials' request to speak in Aramaic demonstrates discernment and wisdom in protecting the morale of the people. Leaders today can learn the importance of wise communication in times of crisis. Faith in the Face of IntimidationDespite the intimidating presence of the Assyrian army, Hezekiah's officials sought to manage the situation with faith and prudence. Believers are encouraged to trust God and act wisely when facing threats. The Role of IntercessorsEliakim, Shebna, and Joah acted as intermediaries between the Assyrian envoy and the people of Jerusalem. This highlights the importance of intercessors who stand in the gap during challenging times. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the request to speak in Aramaic reflect the officials' concern for the people of Jerusalem, and what does this teach us about leadership? 2. In what ways can language and communication be used to either build up or tear down a community, and how can we apply this understanding in our daily interactions? 3. How does the account of Hezekiah's officials relate to other biblical accounts of faith and wisdom in the face of adversity? 4. What role do intercessors play in the Bible, and how can we serve as intercessors in our own communities today? 5. How can we apply the principles of wise communication and faith in God when facing modern-day challenges and threats? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 36This chapter parallels the events of 2 Kings 18, providing additional context and details about the Assyrian threat and the response of Hezekiah's officials. 2 Chronicles 32Offers another account of the Assyrian invasion and Hezekiah's faithfulness, emphasizing God's deliverance of Jerusalem. Genesis 11:1-9The Tower of Babel account highlights the significance of language and communication, which is a central theme in 2 Kings 18:26. People Abi, Abijah, Ahaz, Asaph, David, Elah, Eliakim, Hezekiah, Hilkiah, Hoshea, Israelites, Joah, Pharaoh, Rabsaris, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Shalmaneser, Shebna, Tartan, Zachariah, ZechariahPlaces Arpad, Assyria, Egypt, Gaza, Gozan, Habor River, Halah, Hamath, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Samaria, Sepharvaim, Washer's FieldTopics Aramaean, Aramaic, Aramean, Butlers, Chief, Commander, Ears, Eliakim, Eli'akim, Field, Hearing, Hebrew, Hilkiah, Hilki'ah, Hilkijah, Jewish, Jews, Joah, Jo'ah, Judah, Judean, Kindly, Language, Please, Rabshakeh, Rab'shakeh, Rab-shakeh, Servants, Shebna, Shebnah, Speak, Syriac, Syrian, Talk, Talking, Understand, Understanding, Wall, WithinDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 18:26 5374 languages 2 Kings 18:13-35 7240 Jerusalem, history 2 Kings 18:17-35 8833 threats Library Hezekiah, a Pattern of Devout Life
'Hezekiah trusted in the Lord God of Israel.... 6. He clave to the Lord, and departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments.'--2 KINGS xviii. 5,6. Devout people in all ages and stations are very much like each other. The elements of godliness are always the same. This king of Israel, something like two thousand six hundred years ago, and the humblest Christian to-day have the family likeness on their faces. These words, which are an outline sketch of the king's character, are really …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Woman of Samaria
(Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, 1856.) 2 Kings xviii. 9-12. And 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. And 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. And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand …
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses Men in Human Language...
CHAPTER XXXIV. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION. 1. Since the Bible addresses men in human language, and according to human modes of thinking and speaking, the interpreter's first work is to ascertain the meaning of the terms employed. Here he must proceed as in the case of other writings, seeking by the aid of grammars, lexicons, cognate languages, ancient versions, ancient interpreters, and whatever other outward helps are available, to gain a thorough knowledge of the language employed by …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The History Books
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Assyrian idol-god] Thus little by little the Book of God grew, and the people He had chosen to be its guardians took their place among the nations. A small place it was from one point of view! A narrow strip of land, but unique in its position as one of the highways of the world, on which a few tribes were banded together. All around great empires watched them with eager eyes; the powerful kings of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia, the learned Greeks, and, in later times, …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 18:26 NIV2 Kings 18:26 NLT2 Kings 18:26 ESV2 Kings 18:26 NASB2 Kings 18:26 KJV
2 Kings 18:26 Commentaries
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