Isaiah 37:8
ESV
The Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
NIV
When the field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.
NASB
Then Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
CSB
When the royal spokesman heard that the king of Assyria had pulled out of Lachish, he left and found him fighting against Libnah.
NLT
Meanwhile, the Assyrian chief of staff left Jerusalem and went to consult the king of Assyria, who had left Lachish and was attacking Libnah.
KJV
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
NKJV
Then the Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish.
What does Isaiah 37:8 mean?
The "Rabshakeh" was a title for one of Sennacherib's closest advisors and servants (Isaiah 36:1–3). Some translations render this as "field commander" or something similar. He has proven skilled in the art of propaganda (Isaiah 36:11–13). Sennacherib sent him to Jerusalem to deliver a message to Hezekiah: one meant to drain all hope of survival from the people of Jerusalem. The Rabshakeh's speech insulted both Hezekiah and the Lord of Israel. It was effective enough that the king tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and finally turned to the Lord for help (Isaiah 37:1–4).Now the Rabshakeh returns from Jerusalem to Sennacherib and the main force of the Assyrian army. The Assyrians have moved on from Lachish, where they were fighting when the Rabshakeh left. They have moved the battle a short distance north, according to some commentators, to the city of Libnah. Perhaps the Assyrians had completed the defeat of Lachish and moved on to secure another nearby town.
