2 Kings 18:26 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Hezekiah's officials ask the Rabshakeh to speak in Aramaic, not Hebrew, so the people on the wall won't understand.
What Does 2 Kings 18:26 Mean?
Alarmed by the speech, Hezekiah's three envoys ask the Rabshakeh to switch to Aramaic, the language of diplomacy, which the officials understood, and to stop speaking Hebrew within hearing of the common people standing on the city wall. They fear the demoralizing effect of his words on the watching crowd.
Their request, though understandable, reveals a flicker of fear-they would rather hide the enemy's taunts than trust the people to hold firm under them. Yet truth and trust cannot finally be kept behind walls. The better defense is not to muffle the threat but to anchor every heart in God, so that even when the enemy's voice is heard plainly, it cannot move a people whose hope is sure.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 18:26
What does 2 Kings 18:26 mean?
Hezekiah's officials ask the Rabshakeh to speak in Aramaic, not Hebrew, so the people on the wall won't understand.