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2 Kings 18:26

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 18:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not with us in the Jews` language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not with us in the Jews` language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
2 Kings 18:26 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
24How then canst thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master`s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
25Am I now come up without Jehovah against this place to destroy it? Jehovah said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
26Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not with us in the Jews` language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
27But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? [hath he] not [sent me] to the men that sit on the wall, to eat their own dung, and to drink their own water with you?
28Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews` language, and spake, saying, Hear ye the word of the great king, the king of Assyria.
29Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you; for he will not be able to deliver you out of his hand:
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What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Syrian language - i. e., Aramaic; probably the dialect of Damascus, a Semitic language nearly akin to their own, but suffciently different to be unintelligible to ordinary Jews The people that are on the wall - The conference must have been held immediately outside the wall for the words of the speakers to have been audible. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:26 Hezekiah’s representatives wanted the Assyrian delegation to speak . . . in Aramaic, the language of diplomacy, so that the people who were listening would not understand and be discouraged or frightened.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Speak: Perceiving that the object of this blasphemous caitiff was to stir up the people to sedition, they mildly and reasonably required him to make his proposals in the Syrian language. in the Syrian language: Ezr 4:7; Isa 36:11, Isa 36:12; Dan 2:4 4 Kings (2 Kings) 18:27”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Kings 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification