Isaiah 37:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.

NIV: When the field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.

NASB: Then Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.

CSB: When the royal spokesman heard that the king of Assyria had pulled out of Lachish, he left and found him fighting against Libnah.

NLT: Meanwhile, the Assyrian chief of staff left Jerusalem and went to consult the king of Assyria, who had left Lachish and was attacking Libnah.

KJV: So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

NKJV: Then the Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish.

The "Rabshakeh" was a title for one of Sennacherib's closest advisors and servants (Isaiah 36:1–3). Some translations render this as "field commander" or something similar. He has proven skilled in the art of propaganda (Isaiah 36:11–13). Sennacherib sent him to Jerusalem to deliver a message to Hezekiah: one meant to drain all hope of survival from the people of Jerusalem. The Rabshakeh's speech insulted both Hezekiah and the Lord of Israel. It was effective enough that the king tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and finally turned to the Lord for help (Isaiah 37:1–4).

Now the Rabshakeh returns from Jerusalem to Sennacherib and the main force of the Assyrian army. The Assyrians have moved on from Lachish, where they were fighting when the Rabshakeh left. They have moved the battle a short distance north, according to some commentators, to the city of Libnah. Perhaps the Assyrians had completed the defeat of Lachish and moved on to secure another nearby town.

Isaiah 37:1–13 continues the story of Assyria's threats against Jerusalem (Isaiah 36:1–3, 20). Hezekiah sends officials to ask Isaiah to pray for them. The Lord tells Hezekiah not to be afraid; He will repel Sennacherib to return home and be killed there. Distracted by rumors, Sennacherib sends a letter to Hezekiah indicating he will soon make good on his threats. After all, none of the gods of other nations saved them from the Assyrian war machine.

Hezekiah is overcome with grief at news that Sennacherib has mocked the Lord and is coming to destroy Jerusalem. God reassures Hezekiah that the Asyrian king will return home to be killed there. Hezekiah prays in the temple, asking the Lord to defend His name and save Judah. Through Isaiah, the Lord reveals to Hezekiah that Jerusalem will not be touched. Assyria's army won't even have the chance to attack. Responding to their aggression and blasphemy, the "angel of the Lord" virtually wipes out the gigantic Assyrian army overnight. Sennacherib returns home and is later killed by his sons.

Isaiah 37 continues the narrative started in Isaiah 36. Assyrian messengers threaten to bring their enormous, nearby army to take Jerusalem. Hezekiah seeks God in response and is reassured that Jerusalem will not see so much as a single Assyrian arrow. The Lord promises to save the city and make the survivors prosper. The angel of the Lord kills an overwhelming number of Assyrian soldiers overnight. Sennacherib returns home and is eventually killed by his own sons. Hezekiah will then face a serious illness and be granted a brief reprieve by God (Isaiah 38).

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 3/10/2026 4:30:12 PM