Isaiah 36:13
Then 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙
stood
H5975
וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙
stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
1 of 14
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וַיִּקְרָ֥א
and cried
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֥א
and cried
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
3 of 14
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
הַגָּד֖וֹל
of the great
H1419
הַגָּד֖וֹל
of the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
5 of 14
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
יְהוּדִ֑ית
in the Jews' language
H3066
יְהוּדִ֑ית
in the Jews' language
Strong's:
H3066
Word #:
6 of 14
the jewish (used adverbially) language
שִׁמְע֗וּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְע֗וּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
8 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבְרֵ֛י
ye the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֛י
ye the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
10 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Historical Context
Assyrian kings styled themselves with grandiose titles. Sennacherib's inscriptions call him "king of the world" and "king of the four quarters."
Questions for Reflection
- How do earthly powers often ape divine authority and demand ultimate allegiance?
- What does Rabshakeh's defiance of legitimate requests teach about dealing with prideful opponents?
- How should believers respond when authorities explicitly violate reasonable boundaries?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Rabshakeh standing and crying "with a loud voice in the Jews' language" deliberately violates the officials' request, showing contempt for Judah's leaders. Speaking loudly in Hebrew ensures maximum dissemination of his message. His opening "Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria" parodies prophetic announcements ("Hear the word of the LORD"). This blasphemous appropriation of divine authority reveals satanic pride—the creature demanding worship due only the Creator.