Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

ISAIAH 36:11KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 36:11 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 36:11 mean?

Isaiah 36:11 describes how Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah—officials of King Hezekiah—asked the Assyrian envoy Rabshakeh to speak to them in the Syrian (Aramaic) language instead of the Jews’ language (Hebrew), so that the people listening from the city wall would not understand the conversation. The officials wanted to prevent the common people from hearing and being frightened by the Assyrian threats.

In this scene, the Assyrian army is confronting Jerusalem, and Rabshakeh is delivering a message meant to intimidate both the leaders and the people. Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah are trying to keep the discussion private by requesting the use of a language only the educated or officials would understand. This shows their concern for the morale of the people on the wall, who could be discouraged or panicked by hearing the enemy’s words directly.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 36:11

  • "language" (אַרָמִית, 'aramit): This word refers to the Aramaic language, which was commonly used for diplomacy and trade in the region. The officials’ request highlights that they were educated enough to understand Aramaic, while most common people were not.
  • "language" (יְהוּדִית, yehudit): This word means the language of Judah, or Hebrew. The officials specifically ask Rabshakeh not to use Hebrew, showing their desire to shield the people from the threatening message.
  • "ears" (אָזֶן, ozen): The mention of “in the ears of the people” emphasizes that the officials were aware that the people on the wall could overhear and be influenced by what was said.

Why Isaiah 36:11 matters

  • Isaiah 36:11 clarifies that the leaders were trying to protect the people’s morale by controlling what information reached them, showing the psychological side of ancient warfare.
  • This verse helps explain why Rabshakeh later insists on speaking Hebrew anyway, aiming to undermine confidence in Hezekiah’s leadership by addressing the people directly.
  • The verse highlights the use of language as a tool of power and influence, not just as a means of communication, in the context of political and military conflict.

Where else these words appear

“language” Hebrew H762 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:26 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.
  • Ezra 4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
  • Daniel 2:4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.

“language” Hebrew H3066 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:26 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.
  • 2 Kings 18:28 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:
  • Nehemiah 13:24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.

“Shebna” Hebrew H7644 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
  • 2 Kings 18:37 Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
  • Isaiah 36:3 Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder.

“Joah” Hebrew H3098 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.