Isaiah 36:18
Beware 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?
Original Language Analysis
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יַסִּ֨ית
persuade
H5496
יַסִּ֨ית
persuade
Strong's:
H5496
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce
אֶתְכֶ֤ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֤ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙
Beware lest Hezekiah
H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙
Beware lest Hezekiah
Strong's:
H2396
Word #:
4 of 16
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
יְהוָ֖ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַהִצִּ֜ילוּ
delivered
H5337
הַהִצִּ֜ילוּ
delivered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
7 of 16
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
הַהִצִּ֜ילוּ
delivered
H5337
הַהִצִּ֜ילוּ
delivered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
8 of 16
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
of the gods
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
of the gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הַגּוֹיִם֙
of the nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִם֙
of the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
10 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אִ֣ישׁ
us Hath any
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
us Hath any
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 16
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Assyria had conquered numerous nations whose gods proved powerless. From pagan perspective, all deities were equally ineffective against Assyrian might.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the world judge God by worldly standards rather than recognizing His unique sovereignty?
- What is the fundamental error in comparing YHWH to created false gods?
- How do we maintain confidence in God's uniqueness when the world sees all religions as equivalent?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The warning "Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you" repeats the deception charge, while adding "The LORD will deliver us" as the supposedly false promise. Rabshakeh now explicitly attacks trust in YHWH, escalating from political to theological assault. The rhetorical question "Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land?" equates YHWH with impotent pagan deities. This blasphemy reveals the fundamental error—Rabshakeh cannot distinguish between the true God and false gods, judging YHWH by pagan standards.