Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;

ISAIAH 36:16KJV
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Isaiah 36:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 36:16 mean?

Isaiah 36:16 records the king of Assyria’s messenger telling the people of Jerusalem not to listen to King Hezekiah, but instead to make peace with Assyria by offering a present and coming out to surrender. The messenger promises that if they do, each person will be able to enjoy his own vine, fig tree, and water from his own cistern.

This verse is part of a speech from the Assyrian official (the Rabshakeh) to the people defending Jerusalem during a siege. The official tries to persuade the people to abandon their king, Hezekiah, by offering them security and prosperity if they submit to Assyria. The promise of eating from their own vine and fig tree, and drinking from their own cistern, is meant to sound appealing and peaceful, contrasting with the threat of war and starvation.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 36:16

  • “Hearken” (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means to listen or obey. The Assyrian messenger is commanding the people not just to hear, but to disregard Hezekiah’s leadership.
  • “Present” (בְּרָכָה, berakhah): This word often means “blessing,” but here it refers to a gift or tribute offered as a sign of surrender or peace.
  • “Vine” (גֶּפֶן, gefen) and “fig tree” (תְּאֵנָה, te’enah): These are symbols of peace and personal prosperity in ancient Israel, suggesting a return to normal life if they surrender.
  • “Cistern” (בּוֹר, bor): A cistern is a personal water storage pit. The promise of drinking from one’s own cistern emphasizes self-sufficiency and safety.

Why Isaiah 36:16 matters

  • This verse shows the psychological tactics used by the Assyrian empire, offering comfort and prosperity as a way to undermine loyalty to Hezekiah and trust in God.
  • The promise of “each one his own vine and fig tree” echoes language elsewhere in the Bible that describes peace and security, highlighting the deceptive nature of the offer.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the pressure the people of Jerusalem faced, and sets up the contrast between trusting in human promises versus relying on God in the chapters that follow.

Where else these words appear

“tree” Hebrew H8384 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Proverbs 27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
  • Jeremiah 29:17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

“vine” Hebrew H1612 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 40:9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
  • Psalms 105:33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
  • Ezekiel 15:2 Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?

“present” Hebrew H1293 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • Deuteronomy 28:8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
  • Psalms 84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

“cistern” Hebrew H953 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Jeremiah 37:16 When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;