Rab Shakeh(rabshakeh)
Summary
The Rab-shakeh was a high Assyrian official, probably the chief cupbearer or chief officer, who led Sennacherib's delegation that blasphemously demanded Jerusalem's surrender.
☩Sennacherib's Envoy
The Rab-shakeh was sent by Sennacherib of Assyria to Jerusalem with a great army during the reign of Hezekiah. The title denotes a high official position rather than a personal name, possibly 'chief cupbearer' or 'chief of the officers.' He led the delegation that confronted Hezekiah's representatives at the conduit of the upper pool.
☩Blasphemous Speech
The Rab-shakeh delivered a masterpiece of psychological warfare, speaking loudly in Hebrew so all the people on the walls could hear. He mocked Judah's reliance on Egypt, their military weakness, and even claimed that the LORD had sent Assyria to destroy Jerusalem. His most audacious claim was that no god had ever delivered any nation from Assyria's hand, putting Yahweh on the level of powerless idols.
☩Divine Response
When Hezekiah received the Rab-shakeh's message, he tore his clothes and sought the LORD through Isaiah. God's answer was a promise of deliverance and judgment on Assyria's arrogance. That night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, and Sennacherib retreated to Nineveh, where he was murdered by his own sons.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rab-Shakeh," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rabshakeh," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Rab-shakeh," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).