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2 Kings 18:27

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 18:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But 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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But 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?
2 Kings 18:27 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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:
30neither let Hezekiah make you trust in Jehovah, saying, Jehovah will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“that they may eat, &c.--This was designed to show the dreadful extremities to which, in the threatened siege, the people of Jerusalem would be reduced. Next: 2 Kings Chapter 19”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That they may eat ... - “My master hath sent me,” the Rab-shakeh seems to say, “to these men, whom I see stationed on the wall to defend the place and bear the last extremities of a prolonged siege - these men on whom its worst evils will fall, and who have therefore the greatest interest in avoiding it by a timely surrender.” He expresses the evils by a strong coarse phrase, suited to the rude soldiery, and well calculated to rouse their feelings. The author of Chronicles has softened down the words 2 Chronicles 32:11. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“To the men - To tell them to what extremities and miseries he will force them. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 18:28”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:27 my master . . . wants all the people to hear: The Assyrians used the native tongue of a besieged city as part of their psychological warfare.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“eat: Kg2 6:25; Deu 28:53-57; Psa 73:8; Lam 4:5; Eze 4:13, Eze 4:15 their own piss: Heb. the water of their feet 4 Kings (2 Kings) 18:28”
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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