Isaiah 36:2
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 19
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אַשּׁ֣וּר׀
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֣וּר׀
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
3 of 19
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְרוּשָׁלְַ֛מָה
to Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלְַ֛מָה
to Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
7 of 19
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ
Hezekiah
H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ
Hezekiah
Strong's:
H2396
Word #:
10 of 19
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
כָּבֵ֑ד
with a great
H3515
כָּבֵ֑ד
with a great
Strong's:
H3515
Word #:
12 of 19
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֗ד
And he stood
H5975
וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֗ד
And he stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
13 of 19
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
בִּתְעָלַת֙
by the conduit
H8585
בִּתְעָלַת֙
by the conduit
Strong's:
H8585
Word #:
14 of 19
a bandage or plaster (as placed upon a wound)
הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה
pool
H1295
הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה
pool
Strong's:
H1295
Word #:
15 of 19
a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place)
הָעֶלְיוֹנָ֔ה
of the upper
H5945
הָעֶלְיוֹנָ֔ה
of the upper
Strong's:
H5945
Word #:
16 of 19
an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme
Historical Context
This occurred in 701 BC during Hezekiah's 14th year. Sennacherib had already conquered 46 fortified Judean cities. Jerusalem appeared next on the list.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God allow His people to face overwhelming threats to display His power?
- What modern "armies" threaten to overwhelm believers today?
- How should we respond when facing seemingly impossible opposition?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Rabshakeh was the Assyrian field commander sent with a large army to Jerusalem. His position at the "conduit of the upper pool" was strategic—threatening Jerusalem's water supply demonstrated Assyria's power to besiege the city. This geographical detail emphasizes the real historical threat. The large army's presence was psychological warfare, meant to intimidate. This sets the stage for God's dramatic deliverance, showing that human military might means nothing when God defends His people.