Isaiah 36:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּה֙
H6258
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲלֵ֛ה
And am I now come up
H5927
עֲלֵ֛ה
And am I now come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
4 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאָ֥רֶץ
against this land
H776
הָאָ֥רֶץ
against this land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
6 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וְהַשְׁחִיתָֽהּ׃
and destroy
H7843
וְהַשְׁחִיתָֽהּ׃
and destroy
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
8 of 16
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲלֵ֛ה
And am I now come up
H5927
עֲלֵ֛ה
And am I now come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
12 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
2 Kings 18:25Am 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.1 Kings 13:18He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.2 Chronicles 35:21But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.
Historical Context
Assyrian kings often claimed divine authorization for their conquests. Rabshakeh may have heard of Isaiah's prophecies about God using Assyria to judge Israel (Isaiah 10:5-6).
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's enemies sometimes twist truth to create spiritual confusion?
- What is the difference between God using pagan nations and those nations acting righteously?
- How do we discern between God's discipline and Satan's accusations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Rabshakeh's claim "Am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it?" is particularly insidious—asserting that YHWH Himself authorized Assyria's invasion. The phrase "the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land" mimics prophetic language. This psychological warfare technique attempts to create religious doubt, suggesting that resisting Assyria means resisting God. While God does use pagan nations as instruments of judgment, Rabshakeh's blasphemous claim that God directly commissioned him is false.