Isaiah 36:2 And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stopped by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer's Field.

◄ Isaiah 36:2 ►

New International Version
Then the king of Assyria sent his field commander with a large army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. When the commander stopped at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field,

New Living Translation
Then the king of Assyria sent his chief of staff from Lachish with a huge army to confront King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. The Assyrians took up a position beside the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool, near the road leading to the field where cloth is washed.

English Standard Version
And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field.

Berean Standard Bible
And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stopped by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field.

King James Bible
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

New King James Version
Then the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stood by the aqueduct from the upper pool, on the highway to the Fuller’s Field.

New American Standard Bible
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a large army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the road to the fuller’s field.

NASB 1995
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a large army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway of the fuller’s field.

NASB 1977
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a large army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway of the fuller’s field.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a heavy military force. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway of the fuller’s field.

Amplified Bible
And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh [his military commander] from Lachish [the Judean fortress commanding the road from Egypt] to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem with a large army. And he stood by the canal of the Upper Pool on the highway to the Fuller’s Field.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the king of Assyria sent his royal spokesman, along with a massive army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. The Assyrian stood near the conduit of the upper pool, by the road to Launderer’s Field.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, along with a massive army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. The Assyrian stood near the conduit of the upper pool, by the road to the Fuller’s Field.

American Standard Version
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

Contemporary English Version
except Jerusalem. The Assyrian king ordered his army commander to leave the city of Lachish and to take a large army to Jerusalem. The commander went there and stood on the road near the cloth makers' shops along the canal from the upper pool.

English Revised Version
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the king of Assyria sent his field commander with a large army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. He stood at the channel for the Upper Pool on the road to Laundryman's Field.

Good News Translation
Then he ordered his chief official to go from Lachish to Jerusalem with a large military force to demand that King Hezekiah surrender. The official occupied the road where the cloth makers work, by the ditch that brings water from the upper pool.

International Standard Version
Then the king of Assyria sent his field commander, along with a very large army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. When the field commander stopped at the aqueduct at the Upper Pool on the road to Laundryman's Field,

Majority Standard Bible
And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stopped by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field.

NET Bible
The king of Assyria sent his chief adviser from Lachish to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem, along with a large army. The chief adviser stood at the conduit of the upper pool which is located on the road to the field where they wash and dry cloth.

New Heart English Bible
The king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to king Hezekiah with a large army. He stood by the aqueduct from the upper pool on the highway to the Launderers' Field.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem against king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

World English Bible
The king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a large army. He stood by the aqueduct from the upper pool in the fuller’s field highway.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the king of Asshur sends Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem, to King Hezekiah, with a heavy force, and he stands by the conduit of the upper pool, in the highway of the fuller’s field,

Young's Literal Translation
And the king of Asshur sendeth Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem, unto the king Hezekiah, with a heavy force, and he standeth by the conduit of the upper pool, in the highway of the fuller's field,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king of Assur will send Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to king Hezekiah with a weighty army. And he will stand by the channel of the higher pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king of the Assyrians sent Rabsaces from Lachis to Jerusalem, to king Ezechias with a great army, and he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the way of the fuller's held.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the king of the Assyrians sent Rabshakeh from Lachish into Jerusalem, to king Hezekiah, with a great force, and he stood near the aqueduct of the upper pool, at the road to the fuller’s field.

New American Bible
From Lachish the king of Assyria sent his commander with a great army to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. When he stopped at the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the fuller’s field,

New Revised Standard Version
The king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. He stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Fuller’s Field.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then the king of Assyria sent the Rab-shakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the ascent of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the palace's field.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King of Assyria sent Rabshaqeh from Lakish to Hezekiah the King to Jerusalem with a large army, and he stood in the ascent of the upper reservoir in the road of the Field of the Fortress

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king of Assyria sent Rab-shakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fullers' field.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king of the Assyrians sent Rabsaces out of Laches to Jerusalem to king Ezekias with a large force: and he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the way of the fuller's field.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
…1In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. 2And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stopped by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. 3Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Kings 18:17
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.

2 Chronicles 32:9
Later, as Sennacherib king of Assyria and all his forces besieged Lachish, he sent his servants to Jerusalem with a message for King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem:

Isaiah 37:8
When the Rabshakeh heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.

Isaiah 7:3
Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct that feeds the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field,

Isaiah 8:7-8
the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. / It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel!

Isaiah 10:5-6
Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.

Isaiah 33:7-9
Behold, their valiant ones cry aloud in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly. / The highways are deserted; travel has ceased. The treaty has been broken, the witnesses are despised, and human life is disregarded. / The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is ashamed and decayed. Sharon is like a desert; Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.

Isaiah 22:9-11
You saw that there were many breaches in the walls of the City of David. You collected water from the lower pool. / You counted the houses of Jerusalem and tore them down to strengthen the wall. / You built a reservoir between the walls for the waters of the ancient pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or consider Him who planned it long ago.

Isaiah 30:28
His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

Isaiah 8:6-8
“Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah, / the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. / It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel!

Matthew 24:15
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),

Luke 21:20
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.

Mark 13:14
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Treasury of Scripture

And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

2 Kings 18:17
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.

2 Chronicles 32:9
After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,

the conduit

Isaiah 7:3
Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;

Isaiah 22:9-11
Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool…

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Aqueduct Army Asshur Assyria Commander Conduit Field Force Fullers Fuller's Great Hezekiah Hezeki'ah Highway Jerusalem Lachish Pool Position Rabshakeh Rab'shakeh Rab-Shakeh Road Stood Stopped Stream Strong Upper Washerman's

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Isaiah 36

1. Sennacherib invades Judah
2. Rabshakeh, sent by Sennacherib, solicits the people to revolt
22. His words are told to Hezekiah

Berean Study Bible

the king of Assyria
The title "king of Assyria" refers to Sennacherib, a powerful ruler known for his military campaigns and expansion of the Assyrian Empire. Historically, Assyria was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, known for its advanced military strategies and brutal conquests. The mention of the king underscores the political and military threat facing Judah, highlighting the dire situation for King Hezekiah and his people.

sent the Rabshakeh
The term "Rabshakeh" is a title rather than a personal name, likely meaning "chief cupbearer" or "field commander." This official was a high-ranking Assyrian officer, entrusted with delivering messages and negotiating on behalf of the king. His role in this narrative emphasizes the seriousness of the Assyrian threat, as he was chosen to communicate directly with the leaders of Jerusalem.

with a great army
The phrase "with a great army" indicates the formidable military force accompanying the Rabshakeh. This detail serves to intimidate and demonstrate the overwhelming power of Assyria. Historically, Assyrian armies were known for their size, discipline, and advanced weaponry, making them a fearsome adversary.

from Lachish
Lachish was a significant city in Judah, strategically important and heavily fortified. Its mention here is crucial, as it had recently fallen to the Assyrians, showcasing their military prowess and the imminent threat to Jerusalem. Archaeological evidence, such as the Lachish Reliefs, provides insight into the siege and capture of the city, underscoring the historical accuracy of the biblical account.

to King Hezekiah
King Hezekiah was the ruler of Judah during this period, known for his religious reforms and efforts to resist Assyrian domination. His leadership is central to the narrative, as he faces the challenge of defending Jerusalem against a superior military force. Hezekiah's faith and reliance on God are pivotal themes in the subsequent chapters.

at Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, holds immense religious and political significance. It is the city of David, the location of the Temple, and the spiritual heart of the Jewish people. The Assyrian threat to Jerusalem is not just a military concern but also a spiritual crisis, as the city represents God's presence among His people.

And he stood by the aqueduct of the upper pool
The "aqueduct of the upper pool" refers to a water supply system crucial for the city's survival, especially during a siege. This location is significant, as it symbolizes the practical and strategic concerns of the impending conflict. The aqueduct's mention highlights the Assyrians' understanding of the city's vulnerabilities.

on the road to the Launderer’s Field
The "road to the Launderer’s Field" provides a specific geographical marker, grounding the narrative in a real and identifiable location. This detail adds authenticity to the account and situates the events within the everyday life of Jerusalem's inhabitants. The Launderer’s Field, likely a place for washing clothes, underscores the normalcy disrupted by the looming threat.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) The king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh.--The word is a title (the Rabshakeh) probably the chief officer or cup-bearer. In 2 Kings 18; 2 Chronicles 32, we have the previous history of the war. Hezekiah, on hearing Sennacherib's reproach, began to strengthen the fortifications of Jerusalem, called his officers and troops together, and made an appeal to their faith and courage. In Isaiah 22 we have the prophet's view of those preparations. Probably by Isaiah's advice, who put no confidence in this boastful and blustering courage, Hezekiah sent to Sennacherib, who was then besieging Lachish, to sue for peace, acknowledging that he had offended. A penalty of three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold was imposed and paid, Hezekiah being reduced to empty his own treasury and that of the Temple, and even to strip the Temple doors and pillars of the plates of gold with which they were overlaid. Peace, however, was not to be had even at that price. Encouraged, perhaps, by this prompt submission, and tearing up the treaty (the breach of covenant of which Isaiah complains in Isaiah 35:1), Sennacherib sent his officers, the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh (the names are all official titles) to demand an unconditional surrender.

He stood by the conduit of the upper pool.--The spot was the same as that at which Isaiah had addressed Ahaz thirty or more years before (Isaiah 7:3). It was probably chosen by the Rabshakeh as commanding one end of the aqueduct which supplied the city with water, and thus enabling him to threaten that heú would cut off the supply (Isaiah 36:12).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - And the King of Assyria sent Rabshakeh... with a great army (comp. 2 Kings 18:13-17, where we find sufficient ground for believing that this expedition is entirely distinct from that of ver. 1, which was conducted by Sennacherib in person, and led to Hezekiah's submission and the payment of a large tribute). It is inconceivable that, immediately after the grant of terms of peace and their acceptance, Sennacherib should have renewed the war; there must have been an interval, and a fresh provocation. The interval can have been only a short one, since Hezekiah died in B.C. 697. It may have been a couple of years, or perhaps no more than a year, or possibly only a few months. The fresh provocation probably consisted in an application for aid, made by Hezekiah to Tir-hakah, or to the subordinate Egyptian kings, which is glanced at in ver. 6. The Assyrian annals, which never record any reverse or defeat, are wholly silent as to this second expedition. The only profane confirmation of it is to be found in Herodotus (2:141). From Lackish. Laehish, an ancient city of the Amorites (Joshua 10:5), was assigned by Joshua to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:39), and seems to have been still a Jewish possession (2 Kings 14:19). It occupied "a low round swell or knoll" in the Shefelch, or low tract between the Judaean highland and the Mediterranean, and lay near, if not directly on, the direct route which armies commonly followed in their march from Syria into Egypt. The site is now known as Um-Lakis; it lies between Gaza and Ajlan (Eglon), about two miles west of the hitter. Sennacherib represents himself as engaged in its siege on a bas-relief in the British Museum (see Layard, 'Monuments of Nineveh," second series, pl. 21). The conduit of the upper pool (see the comment on ch. 7:3). The spot was that at which Isaiah had been commanded to meet Ahaz some forty years previously. It was probably on the north side of Jerusalem, not tar from the Damascus gate.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Assyria
אַשּׁ֣וּר ׀ (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

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

with a great
כָּבֵ֑ד (kā·ḇêḏ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3515: Heavy

army,
בְּחֵ֣יל (bə·ḥêl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2426: An army, an intrenchment

from Lachish
מִלָּכִ֧ישׁ (mil·lā·ḵîš)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3923: Lachish -- a Canaanite city Southwest of Jerusalem

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

King
הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Hezekiah
חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ (ḥiz·qî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2396: Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelites

at Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלְַ֛מָה (yə·rū·šā·lə·māh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

And he stopped
וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֗ד (way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

by the aqueduct
בִּתְעָלַת֙ (biṯ·‘ā·laṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8585: A channel, a bandage, plaster

of the upper
הָעֶלְיוֹנָ֔ה (hā·‘el·yō·w·nāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 5945: An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme

pool,
הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה (hab·bə·rê·ḵāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1295: A pool, pond

on the road
בִּמְסִלַּ֖ת (bim·sil·laṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4546: A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase

to the Launderer’s
כוֹבֵֽס׃ (ḵō·w·ḇês)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3526: To trample, to wash

Field.
שְׂדֵ֥ה (śə·ḏêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 36:2 The king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh (Isa Isi Is)