Isaiah 36:11
New International Version
Then Eliakim, Shebna and Joah said to the field commander, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don’t speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”

New Living Translation
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Assyrian chief of staff, “Please speak to us in Aramaic, for we understand it well. Don’t speak in Hebrew, for the people on the wall will hear.”

English Standard Version
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of Judah within the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”

King James Bible
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

New King James Version
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; and do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; and do not speak to us in Judean so that the people who are on the wall hear you.

NASB 1995
Then Eliakim and Shebna and Joah said to Rabshakeh, “Speak now to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; and do not speak with us in Judean in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”

NASB 1977
Then Eliakim and Shebna and Joah said to Rabshakeh, “Speak now to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; and do not speak with us in Judean, in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Eliakim and Shebna and Joah said to Rabshakeh, “Speak now to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; and do not speak with us in Judean in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”

Amplified Bible
Then Eliakim and Shebna and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please, speak to your servants in Aramaic, because we understand it; and do not speak to us in Judean (Hebrew) in the hearing of the people who are [stationed] on the wall.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the royal spokesman, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don’t speak to us in Hebrew within earshot of the people who are on the wall.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don’t speak to us in Hebrew within earshot of the people who are on the wall.”

American Standard Version
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

Contemporary English Version
Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said, "Sir, we don't want the people listening from the city wall to understand what you are saying. So please speak to us in Aramaic instead of Hebrew."

English Revised Version
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the field commander, "Speak to us in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don't speak to us in the Judean language as long as there are people on the wall listening."

Good News Translation
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah told the official, "Speak Aramaic to us. We understand it. Don't speak Hebrew; all the people on the wall are listening."

International Standard Version
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah replied to him, "Please speak with your servants—with us —in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don't speak to us in Hebrew where the people sitting on the wall can hear."

Majority Standard Bible
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”

NET Bible
Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the chief adviser, "Speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Don't speak with us in the Judahite dialect in the hearing of the people who are on the wall."

New Heart English Bible
Then Eliakim, Shebna and Joah said to Rabshakeh, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; and do not speak to us in the Judean language in the hearing of the people who are on the wall."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah to Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jew's language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

World English Bible
Then Eliakim, Shebna and Joah said to Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Don’t speak to us in the Jews’ language in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Eliakim says—and Shebna and Joah—to Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants [in] Aramaic, for we are understanding; and do not speak to us [in] Jewish, in the ears of the people who [are] on the wall.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Eliakim saith -- and Shebna and Joah -- unto Rabshakeh, 'Speak, we pray thee, unto thy servants in Aramaean, for we are understanding; and do not speak unto us in Jewish, in the ears of the people who are on the wall.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Eliakim will say, and Shebna, and Joah, to Rabshakeh, Speak now to thy servants Aramean, for we hear; and thou shalt not speak to us Judaic in the ears of the people who are upon the wall.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Eliacim, and Sobna, and Joahe said to Rabsaces: Speak to thy servants in the Syrian tongue: for we understand it: speak not to us in the Jews' language in the hearing of the people, that are upon the wall.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Eliakim, and Shebna, and Joah said to Rabshakeh: “Speak to your servants in the Syrian language. For we understand it. Do not speak to us in the Jewish language, in the hearing of the people, who are upon the wall.”

New American Bible
Then Eliakim and Shebna and Joah said to the commander, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic; we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of Judah within earshot of the people who are on the wall.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; do not speak to us in the language of Judah within the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rab-shakeh, Speak to your servants in the Aramaic language; for we understand it; and do not speak to us in the Jews' language, in the presence of the people who are standing on the wall.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Eliakim and Shebna and Yuakh said to Rabshaqeh: “Speak Aramaic with your Servants, because we hear, and do not speak Judean with us before the people who stand on the wall!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rab-shakeh: 'Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Aramean language, for we understand it; and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then Eliakim and Somnas and Joach said to him, Speak to thy servants in the Syrian tongue; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jewish tongue: and wherefore speakest thou in the ears of the men on the wall?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
10So now, was it apart from the LORD that I have come up against this land to destroy it? The LORD Himself said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’ ” 11Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.” 12But the Rabshakeh replied, “Has my master sent me to speak these words only to you and your master, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are destined with you to eat their own dung and drink their own urine?”…

Cross References
2 Kings 18:26
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”

2 Kings 18:17-25
Nevertheless, the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh, along with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They advanced up to Jerusalem and stationed themselves by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. / Then they called for the king. And Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them. / The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? ...

2 Chronicles 32:18
Then the Assyrians called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them in order to capture the city.

Isaiah 37:4
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.”

Isaiah 37:6-7
who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. / Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”

Isaiah 37:10-13
“Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? ...

Isaiah 33:19
You will no longer see the insolent, a people whose speech is unintelligible, who stammer in a language you cannot understand.

Nehemiah 13:24
Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah.

Jeremiah 5:15
Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand.

Ezekiel 3:5-6
For you are not being sent to a people of unfamiliar speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel— / not to the many peoples of unfamiliar speech and difficult language whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.

Matthew 10:5-6
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. / Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

Matthew 15:24
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

John 4:9
“You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Acts 2:6-8
And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language. / Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? / How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language?

Acts 21:37-40
As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied. / “Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?” / But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah to Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray you, to your servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

in the Syrian

2 Kings 18:26,27
Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall…

Ezra 4:7
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

Daniel 2:4
Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.

Jump to Previous
Aramaic Ears Eliakim Eli'akim Field Hearing Jews Jew's Joah Jo'ah Judah Judean Language Please Rabshakeh Rab'shakeh Rab-Shakeh Servants Shebna Speak Syrian Understand Wall Within
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Aramaic Ears Eliakim Eli'akim Field Hearing Jews Jew's Joah Jo'ah Judah Judean Language Please Rabshakeh Rab'shakeh Rab-Shakeh Servants Shebna Speak Syrian Understand Wall Within
Isaiah 36
1. Sennacherib invades Judah
2. Rabshakeh, sent by Sennacherib, solicits the people to revolt
22. His words are told to Hezekiah














Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah
These three men were officials in the court of King Hezekiah of Judah. Eliakim was the palace administrator, Shebna was the secretary, and Joah was the recorder. Their presence signifies the importance of the negotiations taking place. Historically, these roles were crucial in the administration of the kingdom, reflecting a structured and organized government. Their involvement underscores the gravity of the situation, as they were trusted advisors and representatives of the king.

said to the Rabshakeh
The Rabshakeh was a high-ranking Assyrian military officer, likely a chief cupbearer or field commander. His role was to communicate the demands of the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. The Assyrian Empire was a dominant force during this period, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. The Rabshakeh's presence at Jerusalem's walls was a direct threat, symbolizing the might and intimidation tactics of Assyria.

Please speak to your servants in Aramaic
Aramaic was the diplomatic and trade language of the Near East at the time, understood by educated and official classes. By requesting the Rabshakeh to speak in Aramaic, the officials aimed to keep the conversation private, away from the ears of the common people. This reflects a strategic move to prevent panic and maintain control over the situation. Aramaic's use here highlights the cultural and linguistic interactions in the ancient Near East.

since we understand it
This phrase indicates the officials' education and their ability to engage in international diplomacy. It underscores the importance of language as a tool of power and negotiation. Their understanding of Aramaic allowed them to communicate on equal footing with foreign powers, showcasing the sophistication and preparedness of Hezekiah's court.

Do not speak to us in Hebrew
Hebrew was the language of the people of Judah, the common tongue spoken by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. By asking the Rabshakeh not to speak in Hebrew, the officials sought to prevent the Assyrian message from reaching the general populace, which could incite fear and unrest. This request highlights the tension between transparency and control in leadership, as well as the power of language to influence public sentiment.

in the hearing of the people on the wall
The people on the wall were likely soldiers and citizens who were defending the city and would be directly affected by the outcome of these negotiations. The officials' concern for what the people heard reflects a deep awareness of the psychological impact of words during a siege. It underscores the precariousness of the situation and the need to manage information carefully to maintain morale and order within the besieged city.

(11) Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants . . .--The king's officers, knowing the "little faith" of their people, are not, perhaps, without misgivings of their own. Might not the townsmen, listening eagerly on the wall, recognise in Rabshakeh's words an echo of Isaiah's, and lose courage, as feeling that they were fighting against the God who was chastising them? The Syrian or Aramaic was a common ground for the ambassadors on both sides, as being the language of commerce and diplomacy. Rabshakeh, it would seem, could speak three languages, Assyrian, Syrian, and Hebrew; Hezekiah's ministers the two latter; the "people on the wall" only the last.

In the Jews' language.--It is uncertain whether this means simply Hebrew, which Isaiah elsewhere calls the language of Canaan (Isaiah 19:18), or a special dialect of Judah. The Moabite stone, on the one hand, shows that Hebrew was the common speech of Palestine and the border countries. On the other hand, dialects spring up quickly. Nehemiah 13:24 is the only other passage (the parallels of 2Kings 18:26 and 2Chronicles 32:18 excepted) in which the term meets us in the narrower sense, and that is after the exile.

Verse 11. - Speak... unto thy servants in the Syrian language; literally, in the Aramaic language. Aramaeans were widely spread over the entire region between the Lower Tigris and the Mediterranean; and their language seems to have been in general use, as a language of commerce. "Private contract tablets in Aramaic and Assyrian have been found in the remains of ancient Nineveh" (Cheyne). Rabshakeh had, perhaps, spoken "in the Jews' language " without any ill intent, thinking that it was the only tongue which Jewish envoys would understand; but his so doing was calculated to affect the minds of the common people, and to shake their allegiance to Hezekiah. The envoys, therefore, requested him to employ a foreign tongue, and suggested Aramaic as one which was familiar to them, and which they supposed that he would understand. His employment of Hebrew had shown them that he was a linguist. In the Jews' language. There was no language peculiar to the Jews as Jews, that is to say, different from the ordinary speech of the Israelites. Both alike spoke Hebrew. In the Old Testament, however, this corn-men language is never called "Hebrew," but either "the tongue of Canaan" (Isaiah 19:18) or "the Jewish language" (2 Kings 18:26, 28; 2 Chronicles 32:18; Nehemiah 13:24). Similarly, our own tongue is called "English," though spoken also in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, America, and Australia. In the ears of the people that are on the wall; i.e. of the soldiers placed on the wall to defend it. We must suppose that the conference took place immediately outside the fortifications, so that some of those on the wall could hear.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Eliakim,
אֶלְיָקִים֩ (’el·yā·qîm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 471: Eliakim -- 'God sets up', three Israelites

Shebna,
וְשֶׁבְנָ֨א (wə·šeḇ·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7644: Shebna -- secretary and majordomo of Hezekiah

and Joah
וְיוֹאָ֜ח (wə·yō·w·’āḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3098: Joah -- 'the LORD is brother', the name of several Israelites

said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the Rab-shakeh,
שָׁקֵ֗ה (šā·qêh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7262: Rabshakeh -- perhaps 'chief of the officers', an Assyrian military leader

“Please
נָ֤א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

speak
דַּבֶּר־ (dab·ber-)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

your servants
עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

in Aramaic,
אֲרָמִ֔ית (’ă·rā·mîṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 762: The language of Aram (Syria)

since
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we
אֲנָ֑חְנוּ (’ă·nā·ḥə·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

understand it.
שֹׁמְעִ֖ים (šō·mə·‘îm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

Do not
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

speak
תְּדַבֵּ֤ר (tə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to us
אֵלֵ֙ינוּ֙ (’ê·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

in Hebrew
יְהוּדִ֔ית (yə·hū·ḏîṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3066: The Jewish -- language

in the hearing
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י (bə·’ā·zə·nê)
Preposition-b | Noun - fdc
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

of the people
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the wall.”
הַחוֹמָֽה׃ (ha·ḥō·w·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 36:11 Then Eliakim Shebna and Joah said (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 36:10
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