Commentary on Isaiah (Super Isaiam)

And it came to pass in the year, etc. Here he narrates, in the manner of history, the destruction of the Assyrians: and first he sets down the events of the history; second, certain things occasioned from the history: chapter 38: In those days, etc. The first is divided into two. First is set down the offense which he committed against the Jews; second, the punishment which he suffered from God, there: But there went out, etc.

Now he offended them in three ways. First by wars; second by messengers, "and the king sent," etc.; third by letters, there, 37: "And he heard concerning Therancha," etc. Over all, etc. Habakkuk 1: "over every fortification," etc.

"And he sent." Here he shows how he offended the Jews by threatening through messengers: and first is set down the gathering of the messengers; second, their conversation, "and he said to them," etc.; third, their departure from one another: "and he went in," etc.

Concerning the first, two things. First is described the messenger of the Assyrians, Rabshakeh, whom some say was the son of Isaiah, others a Samaritan. "At the aqueduct": concerning this, above, 7. Second are described the messengers of the Jews, "and there went out Eliakim," who succeeded Shebna, who handed over the lower part of the city to the Assyrians; as above, 22. Shebna — not that one spoken of above; "the recorder," the king's chancellor, who set down the deeds in writing, for the king's remembrance. Whence commentor comes from comminiscor.

"And he said to them": here is set down the conversation of the messengers: and concerning this, two things. First, the speech of Rabshakeh to the messengers; second, to the others, there: "and Rabshakeh stood," etc.

Concerning the first, three things. First is set down the address of Rabshakeh himself, in which he intends to establish Hezekiah's weakness to resist, by excluding the defense of the Egyptians. "Behold, thou trustest" — "reed-like," mockingly, because in Egypt there are many reeds; and he speaks truly, that the Egyptians were such. Ezekiel 29: "thou hast been a staff of reed," etc.; but it is false that Hezekiah trusted in them; excluding also divine help: "but if thou shalt answer." "Whose he took away" — what he did for religion, he perverts into sacrilege. Deuteronomy 12: "take heed that thou offer not," etc.; excluding also his own strength: "and now give thyself up" — as if to say: thou hast neither horses nor horsemen, that thou couldst resist one captain of the army. Above, 33: "he hath cast down the cities," etc. He also establishes for Sennacherib power to attack, from divine command: "because if thou trustest," etc. Above, 10: "against the people of my wrath," etc.

Second is set down the response of the others, "and Eliakim said." "In the ear of the people" — lest it be disturbed, knowing what is said. Proverbs 11: "by the blessing of the just," etc. Third is set down the mockery of the response: "and he said to them." "The urine of the feet" — that which flows to the feet. Lamentations 4: "they that were brought up," etc.

"And Rabshakeh stood," etc. Here is set down his address to the people. And first is set down his foolish word, in which he terrifies with threats: "he shall not be able to deliver you," etc. Judith 5: "who is this that the children of Israel," etc.; he entices with promises. "Thus saith the king." "A blessing" — that is, a pact, which will turn to your blessing. Or: bless me as your lord. "I will come" — from Egypt, to the land, namely of the Medes. Genesis 27: "may God give thee of the dew of heaven," etc.; he also provokes with examples: "let him not trouble you," etc. Daniel 11: "he shall be lifted up and magnified," etc.

Second he sets down the silence of the discerning people. "And they held their peace." Proverbs 11: "he that deceiveth his friend," etc.; Proverbs 26: "answer not a fool," etc.; he had commanded, lest he multiply words of blasphemy, or deceive the people.

"And he went in," etc. Here is set down the departure of the messengers from one another: and first, the return of the Jews to Hezekiah; second, the return of Rabshakeh to Sennacherib, there: "but he returned," etc. Concerning the first, two things. First is set down the return of the messengers and the report of the blasphemy; second is set down Hezekiah's prayer, "and it came to pass when he had heard," etc., with his garments rent, on account of the blasphemy heard; which was the custom of the Jews, as is clear in Matthew 26.