Introduction:
Rab'shakeh is a title rather than a personal name, referring to a high-ranking Assyrian military officer and spokesman. The term is derived from the Akkadian "rab šāqê," meaning "chief cupbearer," but in the biblical context, it denotes a prominent official in the Assyrian army. Rab'shakeh plays a significant role in the biblical narrative during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, particularly in the events surrounding the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem.

Biblical References:
Rab'shakeh is prominently featured in the accounts of 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37. These passages describe the Assyrian campaign against Judah during the reign of King Sennacherib.

Historical Context:
The events involving Rab'shakeh occur around 701 BC, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. At this time, the Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, was expanding its territory and exerting dominance over the Near East. Hezekiah had rebelled against Assyrian control, prompting Sennacherib to launch a military campaign against Judah.

Role in the Siege of Jerusalem:
Rab'shakeh was sent by Sennacherib as part of a delegation to deliver a message to King Hezekiah. The Assyrian army had already captured several fortified cities of Judah, and Rab'shakeh's mission was to intimidate and persuade Jerusalem to surrender without further resistance.

Speech to the People of Jerusalem:
Rab'shakeh's speech is recorded in 2 Kings 18:19-37 and Isaiah 36:4-22. Standing at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, he addressed the officials of Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem in Hebrew, aiming to undermine their confidence in Hezekiah and their faith in the LORD. He questioned Hezekiah's reliance on Egypt for military support and mocked the idea that the LORD would deliver Jerusalem from the might of Assyria. Rab'shakeh claimed that the gods of other nations had failed to protect them from Assyria, implying that the God of Israel would be no different.

Hezekiah's Response:
Hezekiah's officials, Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah, requested that Rab'shakeh speak in Aramaic, a diplomatic language, rather than Hebrew, to prevent the people from being demoralized. However, Rab'shakeh continued in Hebrew, intending to spread fear and doubt among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Divine Intervention:
Despite Rab'shakeh's threats, Hezekiah sought the LORD's guidance through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah assured Hezekiah that the LORD would defend Jerusalem. In 2 Kings 19:35 , it is recorded that "that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians." This miraculous event led to the withdrawal of the Assyrian forces, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy and demonstrating the LORD's power and faithfulness to His people.

Significance:
Rab'shakeh's encounter with Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem serves as a powerful testament to the sovereignty of God over the nations. His attempt to demoralize and intimidate the people of Judah highlights the Assyrian reliance on military might and psychological warfare. However, the narrative ultimately underscores the futility of opposing the will of the LORD and the protection He provides to those who trust in Him.

Conclusion:
The account of Rab'shakeh is a vivid illustration of the conflict between human arrogance and divine authority. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and reliance on God in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Babylonia and Assyria
... The Rab-saki, Rab-shakeh, or vizier, who ranked a little below him, was the head
of the civil officials; besides him we hear of the Rab-sa-resi or Rabsaris ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Rab'shakeh (14 Occurrences)
Rab'shakeh. Rabshakeh, Rab'shakeh. Rab-shakeh . Multi-Version Concordance
Rab'shakeh (14 Occurrences). 2 Kings 18:17 And the king ...
/r/rab'shakeh.htm - 10k

Rab-shakeh (14 Occurrences)
Rab-shakeh. Rab'shakeh, Rab-shakeh. Raca . Multi-Version Concordance
Rab-shakeh (14 Occurrences). 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of ...
/r/rab-shakeh.htm - 10k

Washerman's (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:17 Then the king of Assyria sent the Tartan and the Rab-saris and the
Rab-shakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem, to King Hezekiah, with a strong force. ...
/w/washerman's.htm - 7k

Commander (111 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rab-shakeh
from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army unto Jerusalem. ...
/c/commander.htm - 37k

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)

/r/rabshakeh.htm - 14k

Eli'akim (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:26 Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, unto
Rab-shakeh: 'Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Aramean language; for ...
/e/eli'akim.htm - 9k

Jewish (49 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:26 And Eliakim the son of Hilkijah, and Shebnah and Joah said to
Rab-shakeh, Speak, we pray thee, to thy servants in Syriac, for we understand it ...
/j/jewish.htm - 22k

Hezeki'ah (120 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and
Rab-shakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army unto Jerusalem. ...
/h/hezeki'ah.htm - 35k

Placing (44 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:19 And the Rab-shakeh said to them, Say now to Hezekiah, These are the
words of the great king, the king of Assyria: In what are you placing your ...
/p/placing.htm - 20k

Raca (1 Occurrence)

/r/raca.htm - 10k

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