Isaiah 36:13
ESV
Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: "Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!
NIV
Then the commander stood and called out in Hebrew, "Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!
NASB
Then Rabshakeh stood and called out with a loud voice in Judean and said, 'Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!
CSB
Then the royal spokesman stood and called out loudly in Hebrew: Listen to the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!
NLT
Then the chief of staff stood and shouted in Hebrew to the people on the wall, 'Listen to this message from the great king of Assyria!
KJV
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.
NKJV
Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out with a loud voice in Hebrew, and said, “Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!
What does Isaiah 36:13 mean?
Sennacherib's field commander (Isaiah 36:1) in this meeting bore the official title of Rabshaqeh (Isaiah 36:2). He has been portrayed as a master of propaganda and psychological warfare. When asked to conduct their meeting in Aramaic to keep the nearby men from understanding (Isaiah 36:11), the Rabshakeh made it clear he was there to terrify the people, not to negotiate as equals (Isaiah 36:12). He wants Jerusalem to fear the terrible Assyrian war machine so much that they will surrender without a fight.Instead of changing languages or lowering his voice, the Rabshakeh boldly begins to shout in Hebrew directly to anyone who could hear him inside the city. Right from the start, he elevates Sennacherib as a mighty king and diminishes Hezekiah as lowly (Isaiah 36:14). He will dismiss the idea of God rescuing the people (Isaiah 36:14, 18), tempting them with promises of a happy life as conquered people (Isaiah 36:16–17).
