What does 2 Kings 18:28 mean?
"Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:" - 2 Kings 18:28
2 Kings 18:28 (KJV) reads, "Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria."
This verse is part of a larger passage describing the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. The context of this verse is crucial for understanding its significance. At this point in history, the kingdom of Judah was facing a dire threat from the powerful Assyrian empire. The Assyrians, under the leadership of Sennacherib, had already conquered many cities in Judah and were now laying siege to Jerusalem, the capital of the kingdom.
Rabshakeh, the chief cupbearer and spokesman for Sennacherib, is the one speaking in this verse. He addresses the people of Judah in their own language, seeking to intimidate and demoralize them. He claims to speak on behalf of the "great king," the king of Assyria, and his message is one of arrogance and defiance. He essentially tells the people of Judah to surrender to the Assyrian forces, as resistance would be futile against the might of the Assyrian empire.
One of the key themes in this verse is the contrast between the power and arrogance of the earthly king, represented by Sennacherib, and the sovereignty and authority of the divine king, represented by the God of Israel. Rabshakeh's proclamation of the greatness of the Assyrian king is meant to instill fear and doubt in the hearts of the people of Judah. However, the underlying message of the biblical narrative is that true greatness and true sovereignty belong to God alone, and that He is ultimately in control of the fate of His people.
The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The loud voice of Rabshakeh symbolizes the intimidating and overwhelming nature of the Assyrian threat. His use of the Jews' language is also symbolic, as it represents the attempt to undermine the identity and unity of the people of Judah. By addressing them in their own language, Rabshakeh seeks to break down their sense of solidarity and resistance.
Furthermore, the mention of the "great king, the king of Assyria" highlights the worldly power and authority that the Assyrian empire represents. This serves as a direct challenge to the authority and sovereignty of God, as the people of Judah are forced to confront the reality of their precarious situation in the face of such a formidable opponent.
In this verse, Rabshakeh's words serve as a test of faith for the people of Judah. Will they succumb to fear and doubt in the face of the Assyrian threat, or will they continue to trust in the God of Israel, who has proven Himself faithful throughout their history? This passage ultimately serves as a reminder that true strength and security are found in God alone, and that His promises and protections far outweigh the temporary power and intimidation tactics of earthly kingdoms.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 18:28 is a powerful and evocative verse that carries deep thematic and symbolic significance within its historical context. It serves as a poignant reminder of the ultimate sovereignty and authority of God, and the need for unwavering faith and trust in Him, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
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2 Kings 18:28 - "Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:"
"Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:" - 2 Kings 18:28
2 Chronicles 18:28 - "So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead."
"So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead." - 2 Chronicles 18:28
2 Kings 23:28 - "Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 28:2 - "For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim."
2 Kings 10:28 - "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel."
2 Kings 25:28 - "And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon;"
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 28:16 - "¶ At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him."
2 Kings 1:18 - "Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
1 Kings 2:18 - "And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king."
2 Kings 8:28 - "¶ And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramoth-gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram."
2 Kings 8:18 - "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD."
2 Kings 18:18 - "And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder."
1 Kings 18:2 - "And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria."
2 Kings 18:15 - "And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house."
2 Kings 18:36 - "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
2 Kings 4:28 - "Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?"
2 Kings 9:28 - "And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David."
"Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel." - 2 Kings 10:28
2 Chronicles 28:26 - "¶ Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel."
"And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 14:18
2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."
2 Kings 18:33 - "Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
2 Kings 14:28 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 18:5 - "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him."
2 Kings 16:18 - "And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria."
2 Kings 4:18 - "¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers."
2 Kings 2:18 - "And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?"