Rabshakeh is a title rather than a personal name, referring to a high-ranking Assyrian military officer or official. The term is most notably associated with an Assyrian envoy who played a significant role during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, as recorded in the Old Testament books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah.

Historical Context

Rabshakeh served under King Sennacherib of Assyria, one of the most powerful empires of the ancient Near East. The Assyrian Empire was known for its military prowess and expansionist policies, often subjugating neighboring nations. During the late 8th century BC, Sennacherib launched a campaign against the Kingdom of Judah, which was under the rule of King Hezekiah. This period was marked by political turmoil and the threat of Assyrian domination over the region.

Biblical Account

The most detailed account of Rabshakeh's involvement is found in 2 Kings 18-19, Isaiah 36-37, and 2 Chronicles 32. Rabshakeh was sent by Sennacherib to Jerusalem as part of a delegation to demand the city's surrender. His mission was to intimidate and demoralize the people of Judah, urging them to capitulate to Assyrian rule.

In 2 Kings 18:17-37, Rabshakeh stands at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, near the road to the Washerman's Field, and delivers a message to the officials of Hezekiah. Speaking in Hebrew, he attempts to undermine the confidence of the people by questioning their reliance on Egypt and their faith in the LORD. Rabshakeh boldly declares, "Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he cannot deliver you from my hand" (2 Kings 18:29). He further claims that the LORD Himself had commanded the Assyrians to destroy Judah.

Rabshakeh's rhetoric is designed to sow doubt and fear, challenging the people's trust in their king and their God. He offers them a seemingly favorable alternative, promising prosperity if they submit to Assyrian rule. However, his blasphemous assertions and mockery of the LORD provoke a response from Hezekiah, who seeks divine intervention through prayer and consultation with the prophet Isaiah.

Theological Significance

Rabshakeh's encounter with Hezekiah and the people of Judah highlights several key theological themes. First, it underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations. Despite Assyria's military might, the LORD demonstrates His power by delivering Jerusalem from Sennacherib's hand. In response to Hezekiah's prayer, God sends an angel to strike down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to Sennacherib's retreat (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Second, the narrative emphasizes the importance of faith and reliance on God in the face of overwhelming odds. Hezekiah's refusal to surrender and his turning to God in prayer serve as a model of steadfast faith and trust in divine deliverance.

Lastly, Rabshakeh's blasphemy and arrogance serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the futility of opposing God's purposes. His failure to recognize the LORD's authority ultimately leads to Assyria's defeat and the preservation of Judah.

Cultural and Linguistic Notes

The title "Rabshakeh" is derived from the Akkadian term "rab šāqê," meaning "chief cupbearer" or "field commander." This title indicates a position of significant authority within the Assyrian military hierarchy. Rabshakeh's ability to speak Hebrew, as noted in the biblical account, suggests a strategic effort to communicate directly with the people of Judah, bypassing their leaders and appealing to the populace.

Rabshakeh's account is a vivid illustration of the conflict between human arrogance and divine sovereignty, serving as a reminder of God's faithfulness to those who trust in Him.Rabshakeh

(chief cupbearer), (2 Kings 19:1; Isaiah 36:1; Isaiah 37:1) ... one of the officers of the king of Assyria sent against Jerusalem in the reign of Hezekiah. [HEZEKIAH] (B.C. 713.) The English version takes Rabshakeh as the name of a person; but it is more probably the name of the office which he held at the court, that of chief cupbearer.

Chief of the princes, the name given to the chief cup-bearer or the vizier of the Assyrian court; one of Sennacherib's messengers to Hezekiah. See the speech he delivered, in the Hebrew language, in the hearing of all the people, as he stood near the wall on the north side of the city (2 Kings 18:17-37). He and the other envoys returned to their master and reported that Hezekiah and his people were obdurate, and would not submit. RABSHAKEH

rab'-sha-ke, rab-sha'-ke (rabhshaqeh): A compound word, the first part, rabh, indicating "head" or "chief" (see RAB-MAG; RAB-SARIS). The second part, which in the Aramaic, probably meant "cupbearer," had in this connection and elsewhere, according to later discoveries, an extended significance, and meant chief officer, i.e. chief of the heads or captains.

Rabshakeh was one of the officers sent by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, with the Tartan and the Rabsaris to demand the surrender of Jerusalem, which was under siege by the Assyrian army (2 Kings 18:17, 19, 26, 27, 28, 37; 2 Kings 19:4, 8 Isaiah 36:2, 4, 11, 12, 13, 22; Isaiah 37:4, 8). The three officers named went from Lachish to Jerusalem and appeared by the conduit of the upper pool. Having called upon King Hezekiah, his representatives Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, Shebnah, the scribe, and Joah, the recorder, appeared. Rabshakeh sent through them a message to the king in which he represented himself as the spokesman for the king of Assyria. He derided King Hezekiah in an insolent fashion in representing his trust in Egypt as a bruised reed which would pierce the hand. Likewise his confidence in Yahweh was vain, for He also would be unable to deliver them. Then the officers of the king replied, requesting him to speak in the Syrian language-which they understood, and not in the Jews' language which the people on the wall understood. This he refused to do, speaking still more loudly in order that they might hear and be persuaded. By bribery and appeal, by promise and by deception he exhorted them to turn traitor to Hezekiah and surrender to him. The people, however, true to the command of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:36), "held their peace, and answered him not a word." Afterward Rabshakeh returned and "found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah". (2 Kings 19:8). From this description it is inferred that Rabshakeh was a man of considerable literary attainment, being able, in all probability, to speak in three languages. He had, in addition to his official power, dauntless courage, an insolent spirit and a characteristic oriental disregard for veracity.

Walter G. Clippinger

7262. Rabshaqeh -- perhaps "chief of the officers," an Assyr. ...
... military leader. Transliteration: Rabshaqeh Phonetic Spelling: (rab-shaw-kay') Short
Definition: Rabshakeh. ... military leader NASB Word Usage Rabshakeh (16). ...
/hebrew/7262.htm - 6k

How Sennacherib Made an Expedition against Hezekiah; What
... Threatenings Rabshakeh Made To Hezekiah When Sennacherib Was Gone Against The Egyptians;
How Isaiah The Prophet Encouraged Him; How Sennacherib Having Failed ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how sennacherib made.htm

The Triumph of Faith
... A glance at the preceding chapters will show how the high military official, 'the
rabshakeh,' or chief of the officers, shaped all his insolent and yet skilful ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the triumph of faith.htm

Deliverance from Assyria
... See Isaiah 52:5. "Speak ye now to Hezekiah," said Rabshakeh, one of Sennacherib's
chief officers, "Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm

Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
... king of the Assyrians, Sennacherib, after already taking several cities, was volleying
blasphemies and menaces against Israel through Rabshakeh, nothing else ...
/.../chapter vii further examples from the.htm

Chapter xl
... In any case, we know both from secular parallels as well as from Scriptures (Nehemiah
1:11 "Nehemiah; and 2 Kings 18:17 "Rabshakeh, which Aramaic name ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xl.htm

Letter Lxxvi. To Abigaus.
... harvest. [2313]. 3. You request me by my exhortations to slay in you
Nebuchadnezzar and Rabshakeh and Nebuzar-adan and Holofernes. [2314 ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxvi to abigaus.htm

Of the Removal of the Remains of John and of the Faith of ...
... When one of the barbarian chieftains ventured on his wonted blasphemy, and with
words like those of Rabshakeh and Sennacherib, madly threatened to burn the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxxvi of the removal of.htm

Order and Argument in Prayer
... It was well done of Hezekiah, when he took Rabshakeh's letter and spread it before
the Lord. Will that help him? It is full of blasphemy, will that help him? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/order and argument in prayer.htm

Nineveh.
... the latter years of his reign, Sennacherib undertook an expedition into Egypt, and
on his way sent a blasphemous message by his servant, Rabshakeh, to summon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

Temptations.
... his prey, so doth Satan kill the spirit of those that hearken to him; for when he
tempteth, especially by way of accusation, he doth to us as Rabshakeh did to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xv temptations.htm

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
...RABSHAKEH. ...Rabshakeh sent through them a message to the king in which he
represented himself as the spokesman for the king of Assyria. ...
/r/rabshakeh.htm - 14k

Rab-shakeh (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rabshakeh
from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army unto Jerusalem. ...
/r/rab-shakeh.htm - 10k

Fuller's (4 Occurrences)
... Here stood Rabshakeh in his interview with Eliakim and others on the wall (2 Kings
18:17 Isaiah 36:2); clearly the highway was within easy earshot of the walls ...
/f/fuller's.htm - 11k

Joah (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:26 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, said to Rabshakeh,
"Please speak to your servants in the Syrian language; for we ...
/j/joah.htm - 11k

Rab-saris (3 Occurrences)
Rab-saris. Rab'saris, Rab-saris. Rabshakeh . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RAB-SARIS. ... Rab'saris, Rab-saris. Rabshakeh . Reference Bible.
/r/rab-saris.htm - 9k

Eliakim (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:26 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, said to Rabshakeh,
"Please speak to your servants in the Syrian language; for we ...
/e/eliakim.htm - 15k

Field (390 Occurrences)
... Here stood Rabshakeh in his interview with Eliakim and others on the wall (2 Kings
18:17 Isaiah 36:2); clearly the highway was within easy earshot of the walls ...
/f/field.htm - 44k

Recorder (10 Occurrences)
... His high rank is shown by the facts that, with other officers, he represented Hezekiah
in speaking with Rabshakeh (2 Kings 18:18), and, in the reign of Josiah ...
/r/recorder.htm - 12k

Shebna (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:26 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, said to Rabshakeh,
"Please speak to your servants in the Syrian language; for we ...
/s/shebna.htm - 20k

Lachish (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:17 The king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from
Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army to Jerusalem. ...
/l/lachish.htm - 22k

Who were the Assyrians in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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