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 36:16KJVWhat 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.