Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 36

Verse 1

it came to pass. Note the insertion of these historical events in the midst of prophecy, corresponding with those concerning the reign of Ahaz. Compare 2 Kings 18:13 , 2 Kings 20:19 , on which Isaiah is not dependent, and 2 Chronicles 32:1-33 , which is not dependent on either (see App-56 ). This history is a proof of Isaiah's prophetic mission and gifts. History and prophecy are thus combined: for the latter is history foretold, and the former is (in this and many cases) prophecy fulfilled: the two accounts being perfectly independent.

in the fourteenth year: i.e. 628 B.C. See App-50 . pp Isa 59:60 . After Hezekiah's reformation (2 Chronicles 29:1 -- Isaiah 32:1 ). Samaria had been taken by Shalmaneser in Hezekiah's sixth year (2 Kings 18:10 ). The date (fourteenth year) no "error".

defenced cities = fortified cities.

and took them. See the list and number of them (forty-six) on Sennacherib's hexagonal cylinder in the British Museum. See App-67 .

Verse 2

Rabshakeh: or, "political officer". Probably a renegade Jew.

Lachish. Now Tell el Hesy , or Umm Lakis . See the work on the excavations there, published by the "Palestine Exploration Fund". Compare note on 2 Kings 18:17 , and 2 Kings 19:8 .

with a great army. Foretold in Isaiah 29:1-6 , as foretold in Isa 22:15-26 .

he stood. In the same spot where Isaiah stood with Ahaz twenty-eight years before. See Isaiah 7:3 .

highway. See note on Isaiah 7:3 .

Verse 3

Eliakim. See and Compare Isaiah 22:20-25 . The promise of Isaiah 22:20 , Isaiah 22:21 was already fulfilled.

house. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for household. Eliakim fulfils Shebna's office, as foretold in Isa 22:15-26 .

Shebna. See Isaiah 22:15 .

scribe: or, secretary. Title used of a state officer, first in 2 Samuel 8:17 . Connected with finance (2 Kings 22:3 ). Jeremiah 52:25 .

Verse 4

the great king. Contrast Psalms 47:2 .

trustest = hast confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69 . See Hezekiah's "Songs of the Degrees" (Psalms 121:3 ; Psalms 125:1 , Psalms 125:2 ; Psalms 127:1 ; Psalms 130:5-8 ; and App-67 ).

Verse 5

I say, sayest thou. Some codices read "Thou sayest", as in 2 Kings 18:20 .

vain words = lip-talk. Hebrew word of lips.

Verse 6

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

Verse 7

thou. Some codices read "ye", as in 2 Kings 18:22 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

is it not He . . . ? Manifesting Rabshakeh's ignorance.

Verse 8

master. Hebrew. Adonai . App-4 .

Verse 9

Egypt. Hezekiah at first looked for help there (See Isaiah 20:3-6 ; Isaiah 30:2-5 ; 2 Kings 18:21 ).

Verse 10

am I come up. As foretold twenty-eight years before (Isaiah 10:6-8 ).

If Rabshakeh knew of this, it shows the falsehood of "half the truth".

Verse 11

Then said, &c. This led only to grosser insults.

Jews. The name by which the People were known of old, to foreigners. See note on Isaiah 36:2 . No proof of a later authorship. "Hebrew" is the later word for the language (Compare Isaiah 19:18 ).

Verse 12

speak these words. See App-67 .

sit upon the wall = maintain their posts: i.e. till reduced to these extremities.

Verse 15

this city. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "and this city": i.e. "this city".

Verse 16

every one = man, as in Isaiah 36:6 .

Verse 17

take you away. As he did Israel (2 Kings 18:11 ).

wine = new wine. Hebrew. tirosh . App-27 .

bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for all kinds of food.

Hath, &c. ? = [Reflect]: Hath, &c?

Verse 19

Where: or, Why, where. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "Where then".