¹⁷ Then the king of Assyria sent the Tartan,^(A) the Rab-saris, and the Rabshakeh, along with a massive army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem.^(B) They advanced and came to Jerusalem, and^[a] they took their position by the aqueduct of the upper pool, which is by the highway to the Fuller’s Field.^{(C) 18} Then they called for the king, but Eliakim^(D) son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebnah^(E) the court secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the court historian, came out to them.^(F)

The Rabshakeh’s Speech

¹⁹ Then^(G) the Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: ‘What are you relying on?^{[b](H) 20} You think mere words are strategy and strength for war. What are you now relying on so that you have rebelled against me?^{(I) 21} Look, you are now trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff^(J) that will enter and pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it.^(K) This is how Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who trust in him. ²² Suppose you say to me: We trust in the Lord our God. Isn’t He the One whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed,^(L) saying to Judah and to Jerusalem: You must worship at this altar in Jerusalem?’

² Then the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, along with a massive army, from Lachish^(A) to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. The Assyrian stood near the conduit of the upper pool, by the road to the Fuller’s Field.^{(B) 3} Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the court secretary,^(C) and Joah son of Asaph, the court historian, came out to him.

⁴ The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah: