Isaiah 36

This chapter, which also appears in 2 Kings, begins the historical account of Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah. The Rabshekah (the Assyrian field commander) arrives at the walls of Jerusalem and attempts to demoralize the people. He speaks in Hebrew to be understood, urging the people not to trust King Hezekiah or God, claiming that God Himself told Assyria to destroy Jerusalem. Hezekiah’s officials ask him to speak Aramaic, but he refuses, continuing his propaganda, claiming no god has ever saved a nation from Assyria.